As the 2022 season has slowly imploded for the Boston Red Sox, there seems to be some clarity on the near-term future of Xander Bogaerts in Boston. The only problem is how many people are actually supposed to know about it.
Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts may have let a secret out by talking about his future at Fenway Park
While there has been plenty of debate about whether or not the Boston Red Sox would consider trading Xander Bogaerts before the upcoming August 2 MLB trade deadline, the 29-year-old infielder made a shocking statement after the Red Sox defeated the Cleveland Guardians by a 4-2 score on Thursday to even their record at 50-50.
Just how shocking was the statement? Well, the four-time All-Star isn’t even sure if it was supposed to be said in public, tweeted Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic.
Xander Bogaerts said he’s been told personally he’s not getting traded and that’s been a bit of a relief. Also said he wasn’t sure if he was supposed to say that and hopes he doesn’t get in trouble.
— Jen McCaffrey (@jcmccaffrey) July 29, 2022
Even if Bogaerts does get in trouble for spilling the beans in Beantown, it will likely be overlooked quickly when they remember his slash line of .318/.393/.463 with eight home runs and 42 RBI.
Much has been made about the future of Bogaerts in Boston in recent months, especially after the Red Sox signed former All-Star shortstop Trevor Story in the offseason and placed him at second base. Bogaerts can opt out of his contract this season, so the potential for the Red Sox to trade him to ensure he doesn’t leave the franchise without some kind of return has been bantered plenty, especially with the Red Sox dropping into last place in the American League East in recent days following a 6-18 July (to this point).
However, there is no guarantee the Red Sox will sell off any pieces of their roster at the trade deadline, with Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom telling NESN’s Tom Caron, “We’re trying to make the postseason.”
Whether the Red Sox sell or not, Xander Bogaerts seems to be staying in Boston for now in one of the worst-kept trade deadline secrets ever.