Boston Red Sox: Dustin Pedroia finally facing the inevitable

According to reports, Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia is finally ready to accept what everyone else has known – that his career is over.

For years, Dustin Pedroia was the heart and soul of the Boston Red Sox. The scrappy second baseman was beloved by the fans for his hustle and willingness to do anything required for Boston to win. But that scrappiness also did a number on his body, as he became injury plagued over the past few years.

Those injuries truly caught up with Pedroia over the last three seasons. He played a total of nine games since the start of 2018, with just three hits in 34 plate appearances, as his troublesome knee kept him out of the lineup. Pedroia never suited up in 2020 despite his refusal to give up on a return to the diamond.

But now, he may be ready to face reality. According to reports, Pedroia is ready to have a conversation with the Red Sox that will result in the end of his playing career. This would result in the Red Sox releasing the fan favorite, and finding options when it comes to paying out his remaining salary.

Pedrioa was seemingly on his way to a potential Hall of Fame career before his knee issues brought his playing days to a premature end. He was a four time All Star and won four Gold Gloves, taking home the 2007 AL Rookie of the Year and 2008 AL MVP awards.

He had also established himself as one of the greatest players ever on the Red Sox, his 51.6 bWAR ranking seventh in franchise history. Over the course of his 14 year career, he produced a .299/.365/.439 batting line, hitting 140 homers and 394 doubles while stealing 138 bases.

Pedroia was also a key part of the Red Sox success over the beginning part of the 21st century. Although he was not part of the curse breaking 2004 team, his presence helped Boston remain one of the premier teams in the game. He was a part of the 2007 and 2013 championship teams, his place in Boston sports lore forever secured.

The time has come for Dustin Pedroia. It is time for the Boston Red Sox legend to walk off into the sunset, something that even he has acknowledged.