Boston Red Sox inexplicably cheap in extension talks

The Boston Red Sox find themselves in a difficult spot with a pair of their young players. Xander Bogaerts has the option to opt-out of the remaining three years and $60 million of his contract, a decision that is a foregone conclusion. Rafael Devers, meanwhile, is under team control through 2023. It is understandable that the Red Sox would be looking to lock both in for the long haul.

That does not appear as though it is going to happen. The Red Sox were reportedly far apart in extension talks with both players, with Bogaerts regarding Boston’s offer as “insulting.” It will take a lot of work if the Red Sox are going to keep both players.

Boston Red Sox looking to nickel and dime young stars

One can understand why Bogaerts would have had such a reaction to the Red Sox offer. That report stated that Boston had made a four year offer worth $90 million, increasing his guaranteed money by $30 million. However, after seeing the types of deals that other shortstops were able to receive in free agency, Bogaerts clearly has his sights set on far more money. The Red Sox were seemingly anticipating as much when they signed Trevor Story.

Extension talks with Devers were also fruitless. While the details of such talks are not known, a source had described the Red Sox offer, and Devers’ counter, as “night and day.” The Red Sox do have an extra year in an attempt to hammer out an agreement with their third baseman, but it seems fair to wonder if that is possible.

One can understand the reluctancy with Bogaerts. Story is a Gold Glove caliber shortstop who was moved to second base in deference to the incumbent. If Bogaerts does depart, they would be able to fill that void for what should be a more cost effective contract.

And yet, those disappointing offers deserve a great deal of scrutiny. Bogaerts is one of the better offensive shortstops in the game, someone who makes their lineup that much better. Devers would theoretically reach free agency before he turns 27 years old, allowing a team to potentially lock him up for his prime. To ignore that potential in order to nickel and dime two key pieces of the lineup is absurd.

The Boston Red Sox made extension offers to a pair of their young stars. However, considering how low those offers were, they were laughable at best.