Good morning to everyone but especially to...
RAFAEL DEVERS AND THE BOSTON RED SOX
Just one day after agreeing to a one-year deal to avoid arbitration, third baseman Rafael Devers and the Boston Red Sox pulled a complete 180, agreeing to an 11-year, $331 million deal. It's the richest contract in Red Sox history by more than $110 million in total value.
Devers, 26, has been an All-Star each of the last two seasons and received MVP votes in three of the last four campaigns. Over the last four seasons, Devers leads MLB in extra-base hits and is third in hits and RBI. In terms of total money, this is the sixth-largest deal in MLB history.
Mike Trout, Angels: $426.5 million (2019-30)Mookie Betts, Dodgers: $365 million (2021-32)Aaron Judge, Yankees: $360 million (2023-31)Francisco Lindor, Mets: $341 million (2022-31)Fernando Tatis, Padres: $340 million (2021-33)Rafael Devers, Red Sox: $331 million (2023-34)
It's a huge, worthwhile commitment to a winning future, writes Matt Snyder.
