NEWSLETTER
Former big leaguer Carlos Baerga has gotten heavily into the rumor game this offseason on his Instagram account, with some swings and misses, but also with him nailing the Justin Verlander signing with the Mets. So, that is to say, you can take it all with a grain of salt, but sometimes he’s gotten really specific and was really correct.
I really hope he’s wrong this time:
That’s an awfully specific – and believable – deal to mention if it’s a pure guess. It tracks with recent movements in the market, as well as with Devers’ reported demand to go over $300 million, and it goes just a touch over $30 million in AAV.
I am concerned that it’s just true.
Devers, 26, has been the subject of MUCH chatter this offseason, as a future Cubs target and as a current Red Sox extension candidate. The free agent pool next year is pretty thin on stars, and a young lefty power bat who plays third base would be VERY welcomed. And if Devers is extended, well, the free agent class takes another big hit.
UPDATE: Bob Nightengale hears it, too, and this sucks:
UPDATE 2: Just to confirm, now that Rosenthal has it, this is definitely happening:
The Cubs may or may not have seriously pursued Devers when push came to shove. But you sure would’ve like them to at least have the option.
