Rafael Devers Had No Interest Testing Free Agency
I always think back to this video when I try to explain Rafael Devers to people that know nothing about baseball. Devers is a rare breed. I hit homers and they pay me good. What’s more to life?
Devers wanted to be in Boston. They just needed to present him with a respectable offer. Something that ownership finally got right agreeing to a massive extension. Devers is worth every single penny on his new contract. In reality, if Devers really wanted to he could have gotten more on the open market had he cashed in on a strong season.
During the presser today, Devers was asked about testing the free agent market. The Sox third basemen made it clear he was opposed to testing free agency. His preference was always to remain in Boston.
“This is the organization that has given me everything, so that was a factor,” Devers told reporters through a translator at Fenway Park when asked for his thoughts on signing as opposed to reaching free agency.
“But also, free agency isn’t easy,” Devers continued. “It’s a tough process and I just didn’t want to have to go through that.”
It’s been a rough offseason for every Red Sox fan out there. The one saving grace is knowing Rafael Devers will be in Boston for the next decade plus. Devers is the face of the franchise and the best third basemen in the sport. Paying Devers was put up or shut up time for the entire ownership group. They couldn’t afford to lose a third star after Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts left the organization. Luckily for them, Devers played nice and got a deal done.
