September 17, 2022; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (11) at Fenway Park. Mandatory credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Red Sox look less competitive in the Middle East as the New York Yankees have signed several massive free agents this season.
The Boston Red Sox continue to make questionable choices in the offseason, from failing to extend Xander Bogaerts’ term before he got out of his contract to signing players who may or may not do well next season.
On the other hand, their biggest rival, the Yankees, have made some huge moves that will surely help them continue to grow into the dominant team that they were not so long ago. They re-signed Aaron Judge to the largest contract in MLB history, a nine-year, $360 million deal. They also recently Carlos Rodon signed to a six-year, $162 million contract.
The Red Sox were once a threat to the Yankees, especially after they were kicked out of the playoffs again in 2004 after emerging from a 3-0 deficit in the ALCS. They were one of the most successful teams in the 2000s, but they are now losing their rhythm, making the playoffs just once since their last championship win in 2018.
If they want to continue their success and rise above the Yankees in the near future, there are several moves they can still make in order to maximize their chances.
3. The Red Sox must extend 3B Rafael Devers
Boston fans have been screaming this phrase at the top of their lungs the entire season: Rafael Devers extension. They made the job more difficult for themselves when they failed to stretch Bogaerts, eventually leading him to sign with the San Diego Padres. Because of that and the fact that the market is so high off-season, Devers is bound to raise the asking price.
If they could lock it in before this season, it would have been much easier and less expensive. While it would cost the Red Sox a lot of money, that shouldn’t stop them from locking it up anyway.
He’s out in free agency after the 2023 season, and the team may not be able to compete with what the market has to offer. Teams are hungry for talent, as proven with Bogaerts signing an 11-year, $280 million deal with the San Diego Padres this offseason. He has made fewer than four major stops (with the exception of Dansby Swanson, who has yet to be signed).
This is very telling of the future. Teams are becoming more competitive, and Devers is bound to bring in a lot of money. The Red Sox don’t have a lot of stuff right now, so they need to secure what they do have. If they can agree to a deal before Devers starts hearing offers, they’ll be in good stead.
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