Last evening, third baseman Rafael Devers and the Boston Red Sox finalized an 11-year, $331 million contract extension. A deal that will keep the 26-year-old star from reaching free agency and constitutes the longest and largest guarantee ever given by the team.

The news was well received by Red Sox fans. Not only because it was a no-brainer, but because the Boston Red Sox actually did something after a quiet offseason.

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  BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 3: Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox follows through on the go ahead RBI sacrifice fly during the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on October 3, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

• That being said, not everybody is happy about the Devers deal.

  During this mornings Toucher & Rich show, Joe Murray asked why Red Sox fans should credit management for giving Devers a market value deal and believes the third baseman will eventually request a trade after two years into his deal.

• “He’s going to get $70 million for the first two years and then he’s going to ask for a trade because the teams not good. Why wouldn’t you do the deal with your Devers? That’s my whole thing is. You think we should give Bloom credit for giving Rafael Devers the money he deserves? That’s my whole thing I’m glad they kept the player. It’s a good deal for both sides.”

• Some people didn’t agree with Joe’s take of the Devers deal though. Ian Browne from MLB.com  tweeted about “Some dude” on 98.5  talking about Devers tanking after the All Star and suggested Joe to do his homework.

• It’s was me. I did my homework, he batted 247 with 5 homers after the Allstar break. You can tag me. I was just stating concerns in a player get 330 million, just doing my job https://t.co/l88i9IoSp3

  — Joe Murray (@JoeyMurr) January 5, 2023

• Joe and Ian eventually kissed and made up.

• LISTEN HERE:

• Nick Gemelli is a Producer for the Toucher and Rich program and contributor for 985thesportshub.com. you can follow Nick at @NickGemelli on Twitter.

  Follow @Toucherandrich on Twitter, @Toucherandrichofficial and @fredtoucher on Instagram to keep up with the show!