Why Devers — and why now? Making sense of the Red Sox’s big investment
Rafael Devers is staying in Boston.
The Red Sox and their star third baseman are finalizing an 11-year, $331 million contract extension, setting up the 26-year-old slugger as the cornerstone of the next generation at Fenway Park. Following some high-profile departures in recent years, Devers will be the clear face of the franchise — and its offensive catalyst — for years to come.
Here are a few of the biggest questions surrounding the blockbuster deal — and what it means for the Red Sox moving forward.
For many in Boston, one question immediately comes to mind: Why did Devers get a mega extension when two other homegrown superstars — outfielder Mookie Betts and shortstop Xander Bogaerts — are no longer wearing Red Sox uniforms?
Shortly after getting the team’s chief baseball officer job ahead of the 2020 season, Chaim Bloom famously traded Betts when ownership mandated he get the Red Sox under the luxury tax threshold. The decision to trade Betts — in Bloom’s mind — represented the best way to rebuild the farm system and cut salary, with veteran left-hander David Price and his contract included in the deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Betts eventually signed a 12-year, $365 million deal with the Dodgers — a deal he told ESPN in August he would have signed in Boston — while the Red Sox received Alex Verdugo, Connor Wong and Jeter Downs, the latter of whom the team designated for assignment this offseason and was claimed by the Washington Nationals. The trade drew substantial backlash and remains a sore spot among fans.
Then this winter, Bogaerts, a four-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion, became a free agent, after he and the team failed to come to an agreement on a contract extension ahead of the 2022 campaign. Bogaerts had felt hopeful that he could spend the rest of his career in Boston but instead received an offer of an additional year and $30 million on top of the three years and $60 million left on his previous contract. The offer felt like “a slap,” according to a source close to Bogaerts. Bogaerts subsequently signed an 11-year, $280 million deal with the San Diego Padres last month.
The truth is, Boston had always prioritized signing Devers over Bogaerts. The Red Sox front office views Devers as potentially a generational bat. Since his MLB debut, Devers has posted a 162-game average of 103 runs, 179 hits, 44 doubles, 33 homers, 107 RBIs and 324 total bases, according to ESPN’s Paul Hembekides
But the biggest factor in the front office’s opinion was their ages. While Bogaerts hit free agency as a 30-year-old, Devers only recently turned 26. While Bloom and his front office did not feel comfortable giving a long-term contract to a player who’d be in his 40s by the end of the deal, Devers will be just 37 when this contract is up.
Why was this deal so important to get done now?
According to multiple sources, during the winter meetings last month, the Red Sox and Devers were more than $100 million apart. That was also when Bogaerts signed with the Padres. After that blow, Bloom told ESPN in December the team would go “beyond reason” to try to get an extension done with Devers and, ultimately, the team significantly increased its offer to bring the final total to 11 years and $331 million.
Not signing Devers to a contract extension would have created a season-long distraction for the Red Sox. Had Boston not signed Devers before spring training, the third baseman would not have wanted to negotiate until next offseason, according to sources close to Devers, increasing the chances the slugger would reach free agency. That lack of clarity would have only increased the speculation already brewing over whether the team needed to trade Devers rather than lose another star player in free agency — in other words, a repeat either of the Betts trade or what happened this past season with Bogaerts.
And locking up Devers not only makes him Boston’s centerpiece player for the foreseeable future, but it removes a lot of uncertainty surrounding the franchise. While retaining Devers was always a top priority, the departure of Bogaerts put pressure on the front office. Bloom admitted to ESPN that he had regrets over the Bogaerts negotiations. And sentiment had grown in the front office, according to multiple sources, that the team needed to make a move “for the fans” after that backlash. The Devers deal is fan-friendly and still aligns with Bloom’s vision for the team’s future.
How does the Devers deal fit Boston’s relatively frugal five-year plan?
Bloom’s hope is to build back the farm system and — despite the setback with Downs — there is progress on that front. First base prospect Triston Casas will likely be the team’s starter on Opening Day. Shortstop Marcelo Mayer is creating a lot of excitement about the team’s future at the position as both an offensive force and a defensive whiz. Outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela had a breakout season in 2022 both offensively and defensively, hitting .299/.342/.538 with 21 homers, 28 stolen bases, 32 doubles and 10 triples in 116 games across Single-A and Double-A.
The next step, according to multiple front office sources? Signing some of these top young contributors to extensions before they reach arbitration. Bloom believes giving established stars long-term deals into their 40s is simply too risky an investment.
Instead, signing a player to an extension before he hits arbitration — similar to deals given to Alex Bregman by the Houston Astros, Tim Anderson by the Chicago White Sox and Mike Trout by the Los Angeles Angels — allows both the player and team to take on a similar amount of risk. The team gets the benefit of locking up a promising young player on a deal that could be below market value, while a player guarantees his family generational money before he turns into a superstar.
What’s the next move for the Red Sox this offseason?
Catcher is a spot the front office identified as a potential area for improvement heading into the offseason — and the team has yet to make a move there. The team currently has Reese McGuire, acquired at last season’s trade deadline, and Wong, who has played just 33 games in the big leagues.
The Red Sox previously showed interest in trading for Sean Murphy — who ended up with the Atlanta Braves — and signing former Boston backstop Christian Vazquez, who is now a Minnesota Twin. With the notable free agent catchers signed, Boston would need to explore a trade.
The Red Sox could also make another move to improve their starting rotation, though the recent signing of veteran righty Corey Kluber to a one-year deal alleviated some of that need.
What can fans expect from the team this season?
The Red Sox front office, at least, expects this group to compete for the playoffs, but it will need a lot of things to go right.
Boston sees big things ahead for Japanese outfielder Masataka Yoshida, who came over this winter from the NPB, and hopes free agent addition Justin Turner can replace the production of J.D. Martinez, who signed with the Dodgers. Boston will also need more production from Trevor Story, Boston’s prize free agent acquisition heading into the 2022 season. Enrique Hernandez will need to stay healthy, while Casas must perform better at first base than Bobby Dalbec, who was one of the lineup’s weakest links last year.
On the pitching front, a combination of a healthy Chris Sale and consistency from a mix of Nick Pivetta, Garrett Whitlock, Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello and Kluber in the rotation is a must. The bullpen should be improved with the additions of Kenley Jansen and Chris Martin.
Still, in a tough American League East, with an improved New York Yankees team that added an ace in Carlos Rodon, talented teams in the Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays, and a young Baltimore Orioles group that hopes to build upon it success in 2022, the Red Sox will need a lot of things to go their way — both in their clubhouse and around the division — for the team to avoid another last-place finish and make a legitimate push for October.
The 2025 MLB All-Star Home Run Derby is fast approaching — and the field is set.
Braves hometown hero Ronald Acuna Jr. became the first player to commit to the event, which will be held at Truist Park in Atlanta on July 14 (8 p.m. ET on ESPN). He was followed by MLB home run leader Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners, James Wood of the Washington Nationals, Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins, Oneil Cruz of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays, Brent Rooker of the Athletics and Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the New York Yankees.
On Friday, however, Acuna was replaced by teammate Matt Olson.
With all the entrants announced, let’s break down their chances at taking home this year’s Derby prize.
Full All-Star Game coverage: How to watch, schedule, rosters, more
2025 home runs: 17 | Longest: 434 feet
Why he could win: Olson is a late replacement for Acuna as the home team’s representative at this year’s Derby. Apart from being the Braves’ first baseman, however, Olson also was born in Atlanta and grew up a Braves fan, giving him some extra motivation. The left-handed slugger led the majors in home runs in 2023 — his 54 round-trippers that season also set a franchise record — and he remains among the best in the game when it comes to exit velo and hard-hit rate.
Why he might not: The home-field advantage can also be a detriment if a player gets too hyped up in the first round. See Julio Rodriguez in Seattle in 2023, when he had a monster first round, with 41 home runs, but then tired out in the second round.
2025 home runs: 36 | Longest: 440 feet
Why he could win: It’s the season of Cal! The Mariners’ catcher is having one of the greatest slugging first halves in MLB history, as he’s been crushing mistakes all season . His easy raw power might be tailor-made for the Derby — he ranks in the 87th percentile in average exit velocity and delivers the ball, on average, at the optimal home run launch angle of 23 degrees. His calm demeanor might also be perfect for the contest as he won’t get too amped up.
Why he might not: He’s a catcher — and one who has carried a heavy workload, playing in all but one game this season. This contest is as much about stamina as anything, and whether Raleigh can carry his power through three rounds would be a concern. No catcher has ever won the Derby, with only Ivan Rodriguez back in 2005 even reaching the finals.
2025 home runs: 24 | Longest: 451 feet
Why he could win: He’s big, he’s strong, he’s young, he’s awesome, he might or might not be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. This is the perfect opportunity for Wood to show his talent on the national stage, and he wouldn’t be the first young player to star in the Derby. He ranks in the 97th percentile in average exit velocity and 99th percentile in hard-hit rate, so he can still muscle the ball out in BP even if he slightly mishits it. His long arms might be viewed as a detriment, but remember the similarly tall Aaron Judge won in 2017.
Why he might not: His natural swing isn’t a pure uppercut — he has a pretty low average launch angle of just 6.2 degrees — so we’ll see how that plays in a rapid-fire session. In real games, his power is primarily to the opposite field, but in a Home Run Derby you can get more cheapies pulling the ball down the line.
2025 home runs: 20 | Longest: 479 feet
Why he could win: Buxton’s raw power remains as impressive as nearly any hitter in the game. He crushed a 479-foot home run earlier this season and has four others of at least 425 feet. Indeed, his “no doubter” percentage — home runs that would be out of all 30 parks based on distance — is 75%, the highest in the majors among players with more than a dozen home runs. His bat speed ranks in the 89th percentile. In other words, two tools that could translate to a BP lightning show.
Why he might not: Buxton is 31 and the Home Run Derby feels a little more like a younger man’s competition. Teoscar Hernandez did win last year at age 31, but before that, the last winner older than 29 was David Ortiz in 2010, and that was under much different rules than are used now.
2025 home runs: 16 | Longest: 463 feet
Why he could win: If you drew up a short list of players everyone wants to see in the Home Run Derby, Cruz would be near the top. He has the hardest-hit ball of the 2025 season, and the hardest ever tracked by Statcast, a 432-foot missile of a home run with an exit velocity of 122.9 mph. He also crushed a 463-foot home run in Anaheim that soared way beyond the trees in center field. With his elite bat speed — 100th percentile — Cruz has the ability to awe the crowd with a potentially all-time performance.
Why he might not: Like all first-time contestants, can he stay within himself and not get too caught up in the moment? He has a long swing, which will result in some huge blasts, but might not be the most efficient for a contest like this one, where the more swings a hitter can get in before the clock expires, the better.
2025 home runs: 23 | Longest: 425 feet
Why he could win: Although Caminero was one of the most hyped prospects entering 2024, everyone kind of forgot about him heading into this season since he didn’t immediately rip apart the majors as a rookie. In his first full season, however, he has showed off his big-time raw power — giving him a chance to become just the third player to reach 40 home runs in his age-21 season. He has perhaps the quickest bat in the majors, ranking in the 100th percentile in bat speed, and his top exit velocity ranks in the top 15. That could translate to a barrage of home runs.
Why he might not: In game action, Caminero does hit the ball on the ground quite often — in fact, he’s on pace to break Jim Rice’s record for double plays grounded into in a season. If he gets out of rhythm, that could lead to a lot of low line drives during the Derby instead of fly balls that clear the fences.
2025 home runs: 19 | Longest: 440 feet
Why he could win: The Athletics slugger has been one of the top power hitters in the majors for three seasons now and is on his way to a third straight 30-homer season. Rooker has plus bat speed and raw power, but his biggest strength is an optimal average launch angle (19 degrees in 2024, 15 degrees this season) that translates to home runs in game action. That natural swing could be picture perfect for the Home Run Derby. He also wasn’t shy about saying he wanted to participate — and maybe that bodes well for his chances.
Why he might not: Rooker might not have quite the same raw power as some of the other competitors, as he has just one home run longer than 425 feet in 2025. But that’s a little nitpicky, as 11 of his home runs have still gone 400-plus feet. He competed in the college home run derby in Omaha while at Mississippi State in 2016 and finished fourth.
2025 home runs: 17 | Longest: 442 feet
Why he could win: Chisholm might not be the most obvious name to participate, given his career high of 24 home runs, but he has belted 17 already in 2025 in his first 61 games after missing some time with an injury. He ranks among the MLB leaders in a couple of home run-related categories, ranking in the 96th percentile in expected slugging percentage and 98th percentile in barrel rate. His raw power might not match that of the other participants, but he’s a dead-pull hitter who has increased his launch angle this season, which might translate well to the Derby, even if he won’t be the guy hitting the longest home runs.
Why he might not: Most of the guys who have won this have been big, powerful sluggers. Chisholm is listed at 5-foot-11, 184 pounds, and you have to go back to Miguel Tejada in 2004 to find the last player under 6 foot to win.
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