Shortstop Xander Bogaerts is poised to opt out of his contract after 2022, overshadowing the Boston Red Sox season with the uncertainty of whether he will return to Fenway Park next season. Bogaerts has often stated his desire to remain with the organization for the rest of his career.
He had a great season last year, offensively and defensively. Bogaerts slashed .295/.370/.493 with a .863 OPS in 529 at-bats. He also logged 23 bombs, 79 RBI, and 62 walks. The thing with Xander Bogaerts is that he continues to be consistent after 10 MLB seasons. The guy has a steady batting average ending in the top 20 last season and is currently in the top five this campaign.
Bogaerts was blunt when asked whether he expected to reach a deal with the Red Sox on a contract extension soon. Boston offered Bogaerts a contract extension during the offseason, but Bogaerts turned it down. Instead, the long-time shortstop requested a deal that would pay him in line with the game’s highest-paid of the same position, such as Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa, and Corey Seager.
Another situation is brewing on the horizon for Bogaerts. The Red Sox signed shortstop Trevor Story to a six-year contract. Although Boston brought Story on board as a career shortstop, the Red Sox had to accommodate the infield as Bogaerts was already at the position. Lucky for Boston, Story consented to the position change. As a result, the former Colorado Rockies All-Star shortstop is currently playing second base.
However, after the 2022 campaign, things could change. Boston has already committed to Story, who has had a rough start this season, slashing .208/.301/.278 with a .579 OPS in 72 at-bats. He has also struck out 23 times, walked eight times, and logged 15 hits (no home runs). So having Story for five seasons after this one is over makes sense that Boston will likely pass on Bogaerts, especially when the Red Sox have one of the hottest third basemen in the league in Rafael Devers.
Bogaerts will turn 30 by the end of the 2022 season. In comparison, Devers will only be 26. It looks pretty reasonable as the team can resign Kiké Hernandez to a club-friendly deal for him to be at second. Boston may need to get some arms in the offseason. Avoiding the amount Bogaerts is expecting can give the organization some wiggle room.
The Red Sox are in a tough division and they are winners, having four World Series victories since the start of the millennium. But Bogaerts is good as gone by this season. Boston will not commit to their current shortstop. After all, they didn’t do it for one of the league’s best players in Mookie Betts. They have also had some bad long-term contracts like David Price and Chris Sale, so it is no wonder Boston is not ready to pull the trigger.
Xander Bogaerts will be wearing another uniform next year. The question is, who will sign him? Who knows, even the New York Yankees might need his services.