Rafael Devers has been the subject of plenty of headlines during the MLB offseason.
The current Boston Red Sox third baseman has been in heated contract talks with his team since the 2022 season ended.
These stalled talks then led to trade rumors, with one having the star player going to the Chicago Cubs.
However, there are reports of a deal being reached between Boston and Devers.
But the deal is only for one-year, totaling $17.5 million to avoid arbitration.
Third baseman Rafael Devers and the Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a one-year, $17.5 million deal to avoid arbitration, sources tell ESPN.
This does not stop the sides from reaching a long-term contract extension. The fact that the sides got this deal done shows discussions.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 3, 2023
As Jeff Passan reports, the deal doesn’t stop the two from reaching a long-term extension.
But what does this mean for the Cubs, who have been signing some players to bolster their roster for 2023?
A Trade Can Still Happen For The Cubs
The one-year deal doesn’t mean Devers is staying in Boston during the late stages of 2023.
All this deal means is the team and Devers avoided arbitration, something both sides didn’t want.
However, he can still be traded to the Cubs if a deal isn’t reached before the trade deadline for 2023.
But there are other factors that come into play before either side thinks about a trade.
The first will be where the Red Sox are in the MLB standings before the trade deadline.
If they have a solid shot at the playoffs, they might keep Devers.
However, if the Cubs are clearly out of the playoff picture, they might not pursue the star third baseman.
While a trade can still happen, the factors of team placement will determine what happens later in the 2023 MLB season.
NEXT: Where Does Nico Hoerner Fit In With Dansby Swanson Joining The Cubs?