"Rafael Devers not even close to Mookie Betts" - MLB insider slams Red Sox's $313,500,000 deal with third baseman after letting go of superstar

Dominican star slugger Juan Soto is constantly in the headlines this offseason with the former World Series winner being one of the most coveted free agents after his stint with the New York Yankees in 2024.

While the New York Mets and rivals Yankees are considered two of the favorites for the All-Star outfielder, other teams are also reportedly in the mix, including the Boston Red Sox.

Discussing Soto's potential move to the Red Sox on "The Mayor's Office with Sean Casey," co-host Rich Ciancimino highlighted the front office's "monumental" decision to let go of fan-favorite Mookie Betts.

He said (11:40):

"They made one of the monumentally worst decisions by letting Mookie Betts leave that franchise and they got to watch him on the biggest stage in the world. We forget that he's one of the greatest players in the world and you wonder if the Red Sox are like, we really need to make up for that mistake at some point over the next few years. Do you agree with that?"

Mookie Betts rose to prominence with the Red Sox after being drafted by the team in 2011. He emerged as one of the best hitters in the division and was the AL MVP in the Red Sox's World Series winning season in 2018. However, he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers dramatically in 2020, later signing a $365 million deal with the Dodgers.

MLB insider Jon Heyman agreed with Rich Ciancimino's opinion and felt the Red Sox tried to make up Betts' departure by offering Rafael Devers a 10-year , $313,500,000 contract extension in 2023.

Heyman replied (12:00):

"I think they felt like they were making up with it with the Devers deal, giving him that 300 million, and that doesn't do it. I mean, Rafael Devers is a great hitter, he's not Mookie Betts, he's not even close to Mookie. Mookie Betts in my mind is an all-time great. He's got three World Series rings. Now, as a star of all those teams, obviously Dodgers have many stars but he has won two rings."

Mookie Betts has won two World Series rings with the Dodgers since his move and remains an instrumental piece of the Dodgers offense despite being surrounded by superstars like Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman.

Red Sox star Rafael Devers talked to Juan Soto in a reported offer

Although Jon Heyman said the Yankees and Mets are the two frontrunners for Juan Soto, latest reports on Thursday suggested the Red Sox are not that far off from matching the two New York teams.

As per MLB insider Mike Rodriguez, Red Sox slugger Rafael Devers talked to Soto over the phone for more than an hour, with the team offering $50 million a season on a 12-year deal.

Juan Soto's free agency doesn't feel like ending anytime soon as his agent Scott Boras is expected to hold on for the most lucrative deal possible for the All-Star outfielder.