The short answer is that the relationship between Devers and a Red Sox front office not exactly known for smooth operations in recent years had apparently degraded beyond repair. Here's what Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe reported regarding those club motivations : "Per Red Sox sources: the team's feeling was that a $313.

Just over two years ago, the Red Sox awarded Rafael Devers a landmark 10-year, $313.5 million deal. They lauded him as the face of the franchise. His signing was viewed in Boston — and across the game — as a face-saving measure after the Red Sox had failed to retain other marquee homegrown players.