Third baseman Rafael Devers and the Boston Red Sox agreed on a one-year, $17.5 million contract to avoid arbitration on Tuesday. Devers, 26, is set to reach free agency following the 2023 season, but sources say the Red Sox are motivated to strike a deal that would keep Devers in Boston uniform for years to come.

Devers is a two-time All-Star hit .295/.358/.521 with 27 home runs and 88 RBIs for the Red Sox last year. Over his first six seasons, he has hit .283/.342/.512 with 139 home runs and 455 RBIs. The Red Sox and Devers had been far apart in previous conversations on an extension, but striking a deal to avoid Devers’ final year of arbitration is a sign the parties will continue to talk.

Boston has been busy in the offseason, with shortstop Xander Bogaerts, slugger J.D. Martinez and right-hander Nathan Eovaldi leaving; and outfielder Masataka Yoshida, infielder Justin Turner, starter Corey Kluber and relievers Kenley Jansen, Chris Martin and Joely Rodriguez signing. The Red Sox finished in last place in the American League East in 2022.

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