Call to the pen
Fansided

1 former player the Yankees, Red Sox and Astros could use in 2023

By Scott Roche

Oct 28, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel (10) in action during game one between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies of the 2022 World Series at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel (10) in action during game one between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies of the 2022 World Series at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
San Diego Padres land Xander Bogaerts
Oct 5, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) waves to the crowd while leaving the game during the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports /

Xander Bogaerts could be used by Boston Red Sox

I know I’m not breaking any news here, but the Boston Red Sox decision, more so the Chaim Bloom, the front office, and ownership’s decisions to not pay Xander Bogaerts, are still mind-boggling. What make sit even more mind-boggling is that they did not have a solid backup plan in place if he left.

They put their eggs in Trevor Story replacing him as the face of their franchise, but he got injured and needed surgery. The next option? We’ll it’s Kiké Hernandez. In 21 games as shortstop so far this season, he’s eight made errors, while also playing five games in center field and seven at second base, without committing an error. In 30 games at shortstop this season, Bogaerts has committed just two errors.

Offensively, Bogaerts is hitting .291, nearly his exact career average of .292 early in the season. Hernandez is just hitting .243. Offensively and defensively, it’s not comparable so far.

Boston’s decision to not pay Bogaerts is more mind-boggling than trading Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers instead of paying him as well. The Red Sox were set up on the left side of their infield for the next decade with Bogaerts and Rafael Devers, but they only chose to pay one, Devers, along with the other. It feels like it’s going to Story’s position when he returns, but just simply committing to your homegrown talent was the way to go and boy, could they use him now.

Home/Boston Red Sox