Over the years, Boston Red Sox fans have seen many star players still in their primes depart via free agency or trade.
It happened with Jon Lester, it happened with Mookie Betts, and it happened with Xander Bogaerts this offseason.
It could have happened with third baseman Rafael Devers after the 2023 season, too.
However, that won’t be the case anymore: the slugger put pen to paper on an 11-year, $331 million pact.
He is now the Red Sox’s franchise player and the one in charge of leading the on-field efforts to return to the postseason after missing it in 2022.
At 26 years old, the talented Devers (who hit 38 home runs in 2021 and 27 in 2022) will have to take the Red Sox on his shoulders and make sure the lineup remains productive.
He is more than ready for the challenge: let’s not forget he is already a World Series champ and played a prominent role in the playoffs for a few years now.
He has a lifetime .303/.382/.573 line and eight home runs in October play.
Fans love “Raffy” and are thrilled to have him back.
“Devers! We actually kept someone that the fans liked! 2023! Progress for the Red Sox!” Bill Simmons tweeted
Devers! We actually kept someone that the fans liked! 2023! Progress for the Red Sox!
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) January 4, 2023
That’s obviously a shot at the front office and the ownership for letting Bogaerts walk (and not extending him before the start of last season) and for trading Betts before the 2020 campaign.
Boston does produce lots of impact players, but it doesn’t always keep them around.
For a fan base, it’s very difficult to get attached to a certain player only to see him leave the organization eventually.
For now, they are just happy that didn’t happen with Devers.
NEXT: Rafael Devers Can Make Elite Red Sox History