Red Sox ID'd Matt Olson's contract as comparison for Devers

Will the Boston Red Sox and third baseman Rafael Devers ever work out a deal? Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Red Sox identified Braves 1B Matt Olson's contract as comparison for All-Star 3B Rafael Devers

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 7/19/22

Rafael Devers will be hitting third for the American League Tuesday night in the MLB All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium. Like his fellow All-Star Boston Red Sox teammate Xander Bogaerts, Devers' future in Beantown is currently uncertain at best, despite the strong encouragement from fans and "Big Papi" David Ortiz alike that the organization needs to sign the duo to contract extensions.

According to a Monday report from Alex Speier of the Boston Globe, during negotiations with Devers, the Red Sox have used Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson's eight-year, $168 million deal as a "basis for discussions." The Braves picked up Olson — a 2021 All-Star — in a trade with the Oakland Athletics in March and soon locked him up on the long-term extension.

Per @alexspeier on negotiations w/Sox & Devers…”According to a major league source familiar with the talks, the Red Sox identified Matt Olson’s eight-year, $168 million extension with Atlanta as a basis for discussions”. Add $100 million
— Lou Merloni (@LouMerloni) July 19, 2022

As implied by WEEI's Lou Merloni — a former infielder for Boston — the Olson figures are likely to be nowhere near what is acceptable for Devers' camp. In April it was reported that the Red Sox offered the 25-year-old native of the Dominican Republic a new deal worth approximately $200 million, but Devers was looking for something north of $300 million.

A career-long member of the franchise since signing with Boston as an amateur free agent in 2013, Devers currently leads the AL in hits with 112.

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