Rafael Devers isn’t backing down in Red Sox contract negotiations: “I know my value.”
Rafael Devers might be the beloved baby-face of the team, but he’s not going to let the Boston Red Sox push him around.
Amidst growing concern over the enormous chasm between the salary he’s looking for and what the team is offering him (reportedly a $100M difference at least), Devers made it clear that he won’t devalue himself:
"“I know my value. I don’t want to be compared with anyone else, regardless of what the position is. I’m me, and that’s who I want to be compared to. I know what my value is.”"
As well he should.
Devers is raking this year; what else is new? He’s hitting .324/.379/.601 with a .980 OPS and an MLB-leading 112 hits, which include 28 doubles and 22 home runs. He’s striking out at the second-lowest rate (18%) of his six-year career and homering at his highest rate (5.8%). He’s hitting the ball harder (93.4% exit velocity) than he’s ever hit before.
Then there’s his work in the postseason. In 2017, at only 20 years old, he became the youngest Sox player ever to homer in the postseason and the youngest in MLB postseason history to hit an inside-the-park home run. Over 26 career postseason games from 2017-21, he hit .303/.382/.573 with a .955 OPS and eight home runs. Still only 25 years old, he has more postseason experience than most MLB players older than him, and he’s won a World Series.
Finally, there’s his value compared to players outside the Sox organization. This year, he’s tied for third-most WAR in the American League and leads in Offensive War and runs created. He’s second in batting average, runs scored, doubles, and total bases, and third in slugging percentage and OPS. Since 2019, he has the most extra-base hits (245) of any MLB slugger, miles ahead of José Ramírez, the runner-up with 219. His career numbers so far are in line with Philadelphia Phillies legend Mike Schmidt’s; both homered 134 times through their first 633 games.
As Captain America (who is, coincidentally a Sox fan IRL) would say, “I can do all day.”
How much did the Red Sox offer Rafael Devers?
The Red Sox aren’t (entirely) stupid. The Olson numbers were just their jumping-off point, a lowball starting offer. But lowballing homegrown stars has backfired disastrously in the past, with Jon Lester, Mookie Betts, and currently, Xander Bogaerts as well as Devers. Olson’s $168M deal gives him an AAV of $21M per season when Devers is absolutely in the $30M range. Even Gerrit Cole, whom Devers rocks like a wagon wheel on a regular basis, thinks his rival is a $300M player just like him.
With all due respect to Olson, who is more than solid, Devers is the better hitter. In fewer games, Devers has more extra-base hits, runs scored, and stolen bases, and strikes out less than Olson. He hits better for average and slugging, and in the postseason, they’re not even worth mentioning in the same sentence. Besides, Devers is younger and has a much higher ceiling.
Rafael Devers knows what he’s worth. So do the fans, his teammates, even his biggest rivals. The only people holding out are his bosses.
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