Rafael Devers Rumors: Boston 3B Wanted New Contract to Make Him a 'Red Sox for Life'

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the financial side of the negotiations between the Boston Red Sox and third baseman Rafael Devers was not always harmonious.

"The Red Sox are said to have offered the excellent young slugger Devers nothing like what he was seeking in terms of length or dollars. Word is, Devers was looking for an ultra-long deal that would have made him a 'Red Sox for life,' while the club was thinking more like a contract for much less length—a kind of half-life deal. The team's exact offer isn't known, but suffice it to say, they were surely more than $100 million apart."

The third baseman and the Red Sox were able to avoid an appeal because of the one-year, $11,200,000 contract that was agreed upon this winter. He is eligible for free agency after the 2023 season if he has one more year of arbitration left.

The next best chance for Boston to extend him would be after the 2022 campaign, because he doesn't want to talk contracts during the season.

He doesn't want to talk during the season. Considering this is the first time the sides have really talked about a deal, they are far off.

The 25-year-old is in his sixth MLB season. He hit.279 with 38 home runs and 113 runs in his best year in 2021, when he made his first American League All-Star team.

The Red Sox reached the ALCS thanks to his efforts.

It would be in Boston's best interest to keep Devers around, but the sides just aren't close right now. One source told Heyman that the offer and counteroffer were very similar.

With another full off-season ahead of them, the Red Sox and Devers have the luxury of getting this done before free agency. Through six games, Devers is batting.350 with a.346 on base percentage.