The Boston Red Sox avoided arbitration with star third baseman Rafael Devers before Tuesday's deadline by reaching an agreement on a reported $11.2 million deal.
It's a much-deserved raise for Devers, who made $4.575 million in 2021.
The team would be wise to go a step further and work out a long-term extension with Devers and keep one of the MLB's best young players in Boston for the foreseeable future.
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But Devers told reporters Wednesday that the Red Sox still haven't offered him an extension.
Here's what Devers had to say about the situation earlier this month, per Sean McAdam of Boston Sports Journal:
Devers batted .279 with 38 home runs, 133 RBI, 165 hits, 101 runs scored and a .352 on-base percentage in 156 games last season. The 25-year-old third baseman has hit 32-plus homers in each of his last two full seasons.
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In the meantime, Devers should again be one of the Red Sox' most productive and valuable players during the 2022 season. He'll also be in the lineup Wednesday when the Red Sox continue their spring training schedule with a game against the Minnesota Twins in Florida.
