Report: Rafael Devers rejects contract extension offer from the Red Sox
Both sides are reportedly 'very far off'
All-star third baseman Rafael Devers has reportedly rejected a contract extension offer from the Boston Red Sox, per MLB Insider Héctor Gómez and also confirmed by MassLive’s Chris Cotillo.
According to Gómez a deal is unlikely to come together before Opening Day on Friday. Cotillo is reporting that both sides are “very far off” in negotiations.
In addition, Gómez reported that Devers rejected the offer because “it was lower than he is willing to consider.”
Devers has made it public that he doesn’t want to talk about an extension during the season. The 25-year-old wants to strictly focus on the upcoming season and figure out the contract during the offseason.
Earlier this week, Devers spoke with The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier about his contract and the potential of an extension.
“We had a conversation with the team,” Devers told Speier (through his translator Carlos Villoria-Benítez). “We didn’t get to anything. But I still have one more year. I have this one and the next year. And I’m ready to play with Boston, with the Red Sox. We’re not going to talk about it [more] this spring. Let’s see how this season goes.”
The terms of the offer to Devers has not been announced to the public. It remains to be seen what the Red Sox reported offer actually looked like.
Back in March, the Red Sox and Devers agreed to a $11.2 million deal to avoid arbitration. The front office has expressed their interest in extending Devers to a long-term deal. The Red Sox reported offer at least shows that chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom is willing to get Devers contract done to avoid going into 2023 without a deal.
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Article can also be found on Couch Guy Sports, written by CGS blogger Chris Henrique.