MLB insider expects Red Sox to make Rafael Devers 'an offer he can't refuse'

The 2022 Boston Red Sox are on life support, as they enter Monday at 57-59, 4 1/2 games out of a wild-card spot and with four teams to leapfrog just to snag a postseason berth via the expanded format. 

Things could've been worse though, if not for the heroics of All-Star third baseman Rafael Devers, who smashed a clutch two-run home run late Sunday night to help Boston secure a 3-0 shutout over the rival New York Yankees and give the Red Sox a weekend series victory.

The underwhelming season in Beantown has BoSox fans worrying about the possibility of the team failing to make the playoffs for the third time in four years. To make matters worse, there has been doubt regarding ownership's long-term commitment to Devers and shortstop Xander Bogaerts since the offseason. ESPN's Buster Olney discussed the situation on Monday with WEEI's Rob Bradford and projected some optimism for the man at the hot corner.

"I think that they’re gonna make Devers an offer he can’t refuse," Olney said. "I think that the stakes are growing by the day in terms of the importance of re-signing Devers to reverse -- to put that narrative into a box -- they need to sign Raffy Devers."

Olney didn't have the same thoughts regarding the circumstances with Bogaerts, however.

"I think that with Bogaerts, he’s far enough out the door. He’s got one foot out the door in a sense because he can opt out, his agent’s Scott Boras," the insider said. "There are going to be other teams I know that are going to be interested in him, he can get a better deal. The one-year extension offer in the spring -- not good -- in terms of stoking that relationship."

It was reported in mid-July that Boston had identified Atlanta Braves' first baseman Matt Olson's eight-year, $168 million contract as a "basis for discussions" with Devers. In April, it was reported that the team offered the 25-year-old native of the Dominican Republic a new deal worth approximately $200 million, but he was looking for a contract worth over $300 million.

Through 397 at-bats covering 99 games this season, Devers has hit 25 home runs and collected 62 RBI. He has a .305 batting average with career highs in on-base percentage (.361), slugging percentage (.577) and OPS (.938).