Xander Can Opt-Out Of His Contract Following The 2022 Season
Xander Bogaerts is one of the best shortstops in Major League Baseball. He’s a three-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger, and two-time World Series Champion. However, Xander has a clause in his contract that allows him to opt out following the 2022 season. If Xander opts out, he would become a free agent and be able to sign with any team. Given Xander’s impressive resume, it’s safe to say that he would be in high demand if he hits the free-agent market. Losing him would be a massive blow to the lineup, clubhouse, and city of Boston.
Importance of Locking Up Your Homegrown Players
As any baseball fan knows, a crucial part of the game is building a solid lineup of players. To be successful, teams need to identify and cultivate talent from within their ranks. One way to do this is by locking up homegrown players with long-term contracts. By doing so, teams can ensure that their best players will remain with the organization for years to come. This provides stability and continuity, but it also allows teams to build a winning culture. By investing in their own talent, teams can create a competitive advantage that will help them succeed both now and in the future.
I’ve always liked the idea of a player staying their entire career with a team. I remember following Xander’s journey through the minors on sites such as soxprospects.com and being so excited when he debuted in San Francisco in 2013. He’s the type of player you want your franchise to build around, given his strong work ethic, great character, and ability to impact a game with his bat. I’d love to see #2 spend his entire career with the Sox. For me, long-term contacts make more sense when you know the player, the person, and how well they will react to playing in a city such as Boston. Xander checks all those boxes.
Red Sox Shortstop Outlook
If you’re familiar with the Red Sox system, you must have heard of top prospect Marcelo Mayer by now. The number four overall pick in last year’s draft has already been making waves in the low minors. Only 19 years old, he still has a long way to go developmentally. I’ve been seeing many people say Mayer would be the reason why the Sox let Bogaerts walk in free agency. But there’s no guarantee he will become the type of player Xander Bogaerts is when he’s ready to be called up, which will be at least 2-to 3 more years. You can worry about it when the time comes, but that shouldn’t factor much into this decision. Someone can always move positions, and having too many good players isn’t a bad problem to have.
Also, if we remember back before 2013, the Red Sox had a revolving door at shortstop ever since Nomar got traded during the 2004 season. Almost every year, they had a new player handling shortstop on Opening Day from Edgar Renteria, Alex Gonzalez, Marco Scutaro, Julio Lugo, Nick Green, and others. I would not like to lose that ability to pencil Xander in at shortstop, even with Trevor Story on the roster for the next five years. Xander provides so much consistency, leadership, and poise that losing him would be a massive blow to the roster.
Xander’s Contract Outlook
Xander Bogaerts is one of the top shortstops in Major League Baseball, with a powerful hitting style that has made him a force to be reckoned with. His contract expires at the end of this season, and there is much speculation about his future with the Red Sox. Some believe that he will sign a significant contract that will make him among one of the highest-paid players in the league. His agent is also Scott Boras which leads many people to believe that he will be hunting for the highest offer come free agency. While this may be the case, always remember that the agent works for the player, and he ultimately makes that final decision.
What I Would Offer: I think somewhere in the 6-7 years/180-210 million range would be fair for the caliber of ballplayer Xander is. He’s athletic enough to where you can move him to either the outfield, second base or even DH as he ages towards the end of the deal. I would even be comfortable adding on options at the end if need be.
What Xander Means To Us Red Sox Fans
Red Sox fans love Xander Bogaerts for his incredible talent and dedication to the team and city of Boston. He has been a key player for Boston since he joined the roster in ’13, helping them win multiple championships and establishing himself as one of the best shortstops in the league. What’s more, Bogaerts is known for his intense work ethic such as putting in long hours at the gym and on the field to make sure he is always at the top of his game. Over the past nine seasons, he has grown from the babyface rookie to one of the leaders on the team.
Whether he stays in Boston or moves on to another team, it is clear that Bogaerts will continue to be a beloved figure for Red Sox fans everywhere. Let’s hope that Chaim Bloom and ownership do what’s right and keep Xander in a Red Sox jersey for life.
Photo: (Rob Tringali/MLB Photos)
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I believe they did offer him around 200m and he turned it down.
Not true, they offered 30m for 1 yr.
Yup, tacked on to the end of his current contract. He was never going to take that, though.
Great article. Chaim needs to stop giving words, & sign Bogey for what he deserves. As a fan, i will never accept Trevor as his replacement, and no others will either. I heard Chaim on WEEI about wanting to resign him, but unless he gives a reasonable offer, his words mean zero.