The Boston Red Sox have traded Mookie Betts and allowed Xander Bogaerts to depart in MLB free agency within the last three years. All-Star third baseman Rafael Devers, the last of Boston’s homegrown stars, could be next out the door.

Devers, age 26, emerged as an AL MVP candidate this past season. He posted a .295/.358/.521 slash line with 88 RBI and a .225 isolated power, becoming one of the best hitters in MLB. He was one of the few bright spots on a club that finished last in the AL East.

Rafael Devers stats (2022): .879 OPS, 141 wRC+, 4.9 FanGrapghs WAR, 27 home runs

MLB

Red Sox ownership shares the blame for team’s underwhelming offseason

With Devers under contract for the 2023 season, Boston went into the winter confident that it could retain Bogaerts and keep its star infielders together. Once Bogaerts signed with the San Diego Padres, attention turned to Devers’ contract and his future with the Red Sox.

Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom addressed both situations during a press conference with reporters. While he expressed the team’s desire to re-sign Devers, he also provided subliminal hints indicating this could be the slugger’s final season in Boston.