I Doubt Devers Will Be in a Red Sox Uniform Beyond 2023

Today, Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers and his team avoided arbitration when he agreed to a one-year, $17.5 million contract. 

Of course, the Red Sox managed to avoid arbitration with Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts and they are both now in Southern California.  If the Red Sox weren't serious about making a long-term commitment to Betts or Bogaerts it's hard to see them being prepared to shell out $300 million to the Dominican born Devers.

Should the Red Sox be headed for another last place finish in the AL East by the All-Star Break then Chaim Bloom will trade him for prospects. If Miguel Vargas can't fill Justin Turner's shoes in Chavez Ravine then I could see Devers reuniting with Betts in Dodger Blue.

Now let's say there's a better scenario for Boston in 2023. Suppose they win their first World Series in five years. I still think Devers is playing somewhere else in 2024. The San Francisco Giants lost out on their chance on Aaron Judge and then let Carlos Correa slip away. I could see them loading a Brinks truck for Devers. I cannot see the Red Sox doing the same. 

The shame of it is that Devers is only 26 and has not yet reached his prime. Last season, Devers hit .295 with 27 HR and 88 RBI in 141 games played. In six seasons with the Red Sox, Devers has collected 762 hits for a lifetime batting average of .283 with 139 HR and 455 RBI.