The Boston Red Sox and third baseman Rafael Devers avoided arbitration and agreed to a deal for the 2022 season.
Tuesday, March 22 was the deadline for MLB teams and players to submit their offers for the upcoming season. If neither side could agree, that means they will go to arbitration hearings. For the Boston Red Sox, they avoided going to a hearing with one of their star players by securing him to a new deal for the upcoming campaign.
The Red Sox and third baseman Rafael Devers negotiated a contract worth $11.2 million for the 2022 season on Tuesday.
Red Sox, Rafael Devers avoid arbitration at the buzzer
Just last year, Devers earned a $4.58 million salary. For Red Sox fans curious, Devers has one more year remaining under arbitration before he is allowed to hit unrestricted free agency, which will occur at the conclusion of the 2023 season.
Devers is coming off of an impressive 2021 season, as he hit .279/.352/.538 while recording 38 home runs, 113 RBI and 165 hits through 156 games. The third baseman was named to the All-Star team and earned his first career Silver Slugger award.
The impressive play by Devers continued in Boston’s postseason run to the ALCS. In 11 games, Devers recorded a .295 batting average, a 1.028 OPS, five home runs and 12 RBI.
Devers and the Red Sox agreeing to terms on a deal for the 2022 season is certainly great news for the fanbase. The team will look to make the postseason yet again and reach the World Series for the first time since 2018.