Red Sox, slugger Rafael Devers avoid salary arbitration with 1-year contract

BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox have signed slugger Rafael Devers to a one-year contract, thus avoiding salary arbitration, the ballclub announced Tuesday.

Devers, 26, is now under contract for the 2023 season, Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom confirmed.

Bloom didn’t disclose the financial terms of the signing, but ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported the contact is for $17.5 million.

Devers was the American League’s starting third baseman in the 2021 and 2022 All-Star games.

Originally signed by Boston as an international free agent in 2013, Devers made his MLB debut in 2017 and has since played in 689 games, batting .283 with an .854 OPS, 139 home runs, and 455 RBI.

The Red Sox and Devers now have time to work on a long-term contract before he becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the upcoming season.

The news of the one-year extension comes after superstar shortstop Xander Bogaerts opted out of his contract and signed with the San Diego Padres.

There are still six remaining unsigned Red Sox players eligible for salary arbitration including Christian Arroyo, Ryan Brasier, Reese McGuire, Nick Pivetta, Josh Taylor, and Alex Verdugo.

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