MLB Weekly Digest January 9th Edition: Red Sox Sign Devers

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The last week in MLB was about a team in the American League signing a player to a massive extension, a team in the National League signing a pitcher to a one-year contract, and a club in the AL signing an outfielder to a one-year deal

Boston Red Sox Sign Third Baseman Rafael Devers to 11-year, $331 Million Extension

The Boston Red Sox have decided to flex their financial muscles by signing third baseman Rafael Devers to a substantial extension.

The Red Sox have inked Devers to an 11-year, $331-million extension, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Full news story, free and unlocked at ESPN, on Rafael Devers' agreement with the Boston Red Sox on an 11-year, $331 million deal.

Sixth-most money ever. More than 50% over David Price's in $, three years longer than Manny Ramirez's. It's a blockbuster: https://t.co/Q9oL8Gc5jB

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 4, 2023

The deal begins in 2023 and includes a $20-million signing bonus, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Correction: Agreement starts in 2023, not ‘24. https://t.co/1nyaCX3Y7u

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 4, 2023

The extension does not include a no-trade clause, but Devers will receive no-trade rights in 2027 as a player with 10 years of MLB service time, per Chris Cotillo of MassLive.

Reportedly no no-trade clause in the Devers deal but he will obtain no-trade rights early in 2027 at 10 years of service time. https://t.co/Aw9Fxo2vZ7

— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) January 5, 2023

Per Passan, the contract for Devers will fold into the $17.5-million salary he agreed to earlier last week to avoid arbitration.

This contract becomes the largest in Red Sox history, eclipsing the seven-year, $215-million that left-handed pitcher David Price signed in 2015.

It seemed that Devers was a candidate to be dealt by the trade deadline as he was set to become a free agent after the 2023 season.

The Red Sox had previously stayed away from large contracts as they traded outfielder Mookie Betts ahead of the 2020 campaign and lost shortstop Xander Bogaerts to free agency this winter.

Devers had been seeking a deal worth more than $300 million and was coming off a stellar 2022 season.

The third baseman posted a .295 batting average and .879 OPS in 141 games with 84 runs scored, 164 hits, 42 doubles, one triple, 27 home runs, 88 RBIs, and three stolen bases.

He ended last year third in fWAR among American League third baseman behind Jose Ramirez and Alex Bregman.

The Red Sox have a clear direction and a franchise player they can build around with the extension to Devers.

San Diego Padres Sign Pitcher Brent Honeywell to One-Year Contract

Per a team announcement, the San Diego Padres have signed pitcher Brent Honeywell to a one-year contract.

The #Padres have signed Brent Honeywell to a one-year contract through the 2023 season.

Details: https://t.co/sZu3sllxvB pic.twitter.com/HUH5xLPJ0A

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) January 6, 2023

The deal for Honeywell is a split agreement, which will pay the pitcher $725,000 if he is in the majors, and $200,000 if he is in the minor leagues, Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Right-hander Brent Honeywell and the San Diego Padres are in agreement on a major league deal, sources tell ESPN.

It's a split contract that will pay $725,000 if he's in the big leagues and $200,000 in the minor leagues. Honeywell, 27, spent last season in the A's organization.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 6, 2023

Honeywell spent the 2022 season with the Oakland Athletics organization and struggled mightily.

He compiled a 7.08 ERA, 1.97 WHIP, and 27 strikeouts across 13 minor-league appearances (two starts).

He was previously drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays and was a top prospect for many years with the Rays.

However, he has dealt with a myriad of elbow and arm injuries.

If Honeywell is healthy, it is possible he could have a good year with the Padres.

Seattle Mariners Sign Outfielder AJ Pollock to One-Year Deal

The Seattle Mariners have signed outfielder AJ Pollock to a one-year contract worth $7 million, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Outfielder A.J. Pollock and the Seattle Mariners are in agreement on a one-year, $7 million contract, pending physical, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN.

Pollock, 35, crushes left-handed pitching and joins new acquisitions Teoscar Hernandez and Kolten Wong in M's lineup.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 8, 2023

The outfielder had a decent 2022 season with the Chicago White Sox as he authored a .245 average and .681 OPS in 138 games with 61 runs scored, 120 hits, 26 doubles, one triple, 14 home runs, 56 RBIs, and three stolen bases.

The addition of Pollock was an intelligent move by the Mariners, as he proved last year that he could provide power to a MLB lineup.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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