MLB Rumors: Red Sox Remain “Oceans Apart” In Active Contract Talks With Star Infielders


Things are getting a little tense for Boston Red Sox fans, as reports surface that the team is nowhere close to closing the gap in contract talks with their star infielders Rafael Devers and Xander Bogaerts. 

As for Devers' potential extension (he becomes a free agent in 2023), MLB Insider Jon Heyman reports that "sources say they remain oceans apart in those talks." Although he does says that the Red Sox feel their chances right now are somewhat better to get a Devers deal done than with the free agent Bogaerts. 

Devers has given them until opening day 2023 to get a deal done.  

The Red Sox are said to have put a deal in front of Devers just slightly above the $212M contract that the Atlanta Braves gave to their slugging third baseman this year, Austin Riley. But Devers' credentials are far above Riley's at this point in their careers. 

In the last four years, Devers has the most extra-base hits in the majors over that period, is second in total bases, and 2nd in the AL in RBIs and 3rd in home runs (behind only Aaron Judge and Marcus Semien).

Devers is looking for something north of the $300M mark in a new deal. 

And that's the good news for Boston. 

Heyman reports that talks with Bogaerts seem "less promising". The Red Sox have had negotiations with him of late, but apparently "nothing that has moved him."

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