PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Rafael Devers and the Red Sox reached an $11.2 million agreement for the 2022 season to avoid arbitration Tuesday, finding common ground after the 1 p.m. deadline for the sides to exchange filing figures.
Devers, 25, had a bounce-back season last year, batting .279 and leading the team in both homers (38) and RBIs (113). The latter led all MLB third basemen.
Devers will be a free agent after the 2023 season, and, according to a source, there have been no discussions surrounding a multi-year deal of any kind.
The agreement means the Red Sox avoided arbitration with all five of their eligible players, also coming to terms with outfielder Alex Verdugo ($3.55 million), righthander Nick Pivetta ($2.65 million), infielder Christian Arroyo ($1.2 million), and lefthander Josh Taylor ($1.025 million).
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In a normal year, players usually file for arbitration around mid-January and sort out the numbers at the start of spring training. However, the lockout delayed that process.
Had the Sox gone to arbitration with any of their players, it would have been even longer. During arbitration hearings, both team and player make cases for the salary they proposed, with an arbitrator deciding if the player is worth more than the team’s number.
“We will see how many cases don’t get settled,” one league source intimated. “The number [of players] will determine how long we need to resolve all of them. But it’s fair to expect them to go into the season.”
Sox to honor late Jerry Remy
The Red Sox will wear commemorative patches with the name and No. 2 of the late Jerry Remy all season, and honor Remy during a ceremony April 20, prior to a game against the Blue Jays.
This season we will honor and celebrate the life and career of Red Sox Hall of Famer Jerry Remy with a season-long commemorative patch and in pregame ceremonies preceding the April 20 game at Fenway. pic.twitter.com/IhsL24SF4A
— Red Sox (@RedSox) March 22, 2022
The Somerset native played with the team from 1978-84, then spent 33 years in the broadcast booth until his death on Oct. 30 at age 68 following multiple battles with cancer. The Red Sox Hall of Famer made his final public appearance on Oct. 5, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before the Wild-Card Game against the Yankees.
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“Obviously, this organization thinks the world of Remy and his family what they mean to us,” manager Alex Cora said. “Just a great tribute. Not only to him but his family.”
Where to for Garrett Whitlock?
It isn’t a sure bet that Garrett Whitlock is in the starting rotation to start the year, Cora said. Despite the obvious holes in that area, Whitlock still has to show he can pitch in that role.
“I don’t think you guys know if he’s gonna be a good starter or not,” Cora said. “Saying he should be a starter, how do we know that? One thing we do know is that he went multiple innings and he was really good last year. And, yeah, he’s done it before, but this is uncharted waters.”
Whitlock was a force out of the bullpen last year, registering a 1.96 ERA in 73⅓ regular-season innings. He believes he can start, having done so throughout his time in the minors with the Yankees. Nonetheless, he’s OK with however the Sox utilize him.
“I love the routine as a starter, but at the same time, you know, I love the workhorse mentality of a reliever, too,” he said.
The Red Sox are stretching out Whitlock. He made his spring debut Tuesday, allowing three hits and two walks in two scoreless innings against the Rays.
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Rich Hill looking for championship
Rich Hill tossed two scoreless innings against the Rays. He’s 42 years old and has withstood the test of time, but he’s still chasing a championship that would put a cap on a commendable career. “Going into the postseason, being in a World Series, coming so close and almost having the opportunity to raise the trophy is something that once you get in there and you experience it, that’s the only thing that you think about,” Hill said. “I understand everyone’s in a different boat [with contracts]. But when we get into the season, those things are solidified and the only focus is winning.” Hill has faced his share of injuries, and said with the shortened spring, the main thing he’s looking to do in order to capture that championship is stay healthy. “The biggest thing is the health factor and making sure that guys are coming out ready to go for the season,” Hill said. “It’s going to be a challenge across the board because I know there are a lot of teams that are dealing with little things right now” . . . Taylor (back) threw a bullpen Tuesday, his first action off the mound this spring . . . Following the opening three games of the season at Yankee Stadium, it’s likely Michael Wacha starts the opening game in Detroit vs. the Tigers on April 11.
Alex Speier of Globe Staff contributed to this report.
Julian McWilliams can be reached at julian.mcwilliams@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @byJulianMack.