Today, the Boston Red Sox and third baseman Rafael Devers settled on a one-year, $17.5 million contract for the 2023 season.
The deal ensures that Devers and the Red Sox will avoid arbitration.
Still, Red Sox fans aren’t quite satisfied, and are hoping that this is a sign of things to come.
On Monday, the Boston Bruins played host to the Pittsburgh Penguins in this year’s NHL Winter Classic, played outdoors at Fenway Park.
John Henry, the principal owner of the Red Sox, also happens to be the owner of the Penguins, and when Henry arrived at Fenway on Monday afternoon, Boston fans were very vocal in encouraging him to sign Devers to a long-term extension.
John Henry better hear this ALL DAY!!@SMS4988 doing the lord’s work here. pic.twitter.com/CaYbFfNvtC
— Boston Sports Gordo (@BOSSportsGordo) January 2, 2023
Red Sox fans can only hope that this means Henry will get to work on a Devers extension.
Today’s settlement to avoid arbitration is a good start and suggests that the two sides are at the very least talking with one another and trying to work something out.
Red Sox fans certainly won’t be pleased if the team fails to extend Devers, especially after failing to do so with Xander Bogaerts, who is now set to play with the San Diego Padres, having signed an 11-year, $280 million contract.
The Red Sox have also lost Mookie Betts and Andrew Benintendi in recent years.
Needless to say, fans are frustrated and tired of the continued cycle of losing star players.
Perhaps having fans vocally encourage Henry to pay the money for an extension will get him working on Devers’ next contract.
NEXT: MLB World Reacts To Rafael Devers News
