Xander Bogaerts vs The Red Sox (Column)
October 5th, 2022:
Game 162. Entering the game with a 77-84 record, this was it.
The weather aligned perfectly with the mood of the game; Red Sox legend Dennis Eckersley was set to call his last game as longtime New England Sports Network (NESN) color commentator, the BoSox were already out of playoff contention, and longtime guys like JD Martinez and Nathan Eovaldi were set to suit up for what could be their last game with Boston, as they were headed for free agency. What they did for the organization since arriving in 2018 could not be explained.
There’s another guy who’s done nothing but excel for the Red Sox, but for twice as long as Martinez and Eovaldi: Xander Jan Bogaerts. Bogey. The X-Man. The Captain.
Tallying two hits already during the somber finale, Bogaerts jogged out to shortstop in the top of the seventh inning, preparing to take his pre-inning ground balls. The crowd began to roar, forcing Bogey to turn around to his teammate, Yu Chang, coming out to replace him.
The Fenway faithful erupted, trying to forget the thought of Bogaerts leaving, by giving the Captain the ovation he deserves. Bogey gave both his infield partner Rafael Devers and manager Alex Cora a big hug.
…
Flash forward to a month and a half later. The Astros are the 2022 World Series champion, the offseason has begun, and free agency is underway. One would think that Red Sox owner John Henry and President of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom would sit down with Bogaerts and his agent, Scott Boras, to discuss an extension during the postseason. Wrong. What about during the initial days of free agency? Surely they sought out a meeting right away to lock up a franchise player! Try again.
We’re already more than a week into free agency and the Red Sox haven’t thrown money at Xander. However, the issues between the front office and Xander himself did not start this offseason; they range all the way back to the beginning of last offseason.
Bogaerts ended the 2021 season with a .295/.370/.493 slash line, adding 23 home runs, 79 runs batted in, 156 hits, 34 doubles, a 129 on-base percentage plus, and a 130 weighted runs created plus. Despite phenomenal offensive numbers, Bogey’s defense took a hit, as he posted -9 outs above average (OAA) and -5 defensive runs saved (DRS).
Bloom and the front office were simply turned off by such mediocre defense. Shortstops are supposed to have good range, fast hands, and strong defense. It is no secret that Bogaerts has been a mediocre defender for the vast majority of his career. Some have even speculated that he will have to shift to second base, third base, or designated hitter at some point in his career.
Contract negotiations were minimal during the offseason. Yes, there was a lockout, but that does not prevent you from getting a deal done before or after.
Days before the 2022 campaign began, the front office offered Bogaerts a four-year, 90-million-dollar contract extension. To put that into perspective, Mets’ shortstop Francisco Lindor, who I consider inferior to Bogaerts, is earning 34.1 million dollars a year. After this miserable offer, Bogey made it clear he did not want to discuss contract negotiations during the season.
In 2022, Bogaerts took his offense to another level. He played in 150 games, tallied 171 hits, 15 home runs, 73 runs batted in, and 38 doubles. He hit .307 with a .377 on-base percentage, .456 slugging percentage, 131 on-base percentage plus, and a 134 weighted runs created plus. While his power numbers were down, he became a more complete hitter. It is safe to assume that he was somewhat distracted by both his team’s level of play and his contract rumors.
Better yet, his “mediocre” defense actually improved in 2022. The X-Man posted 5 OAA and 4 DRS, both of which are league-average and career highs. As usual, he was asked to do something, and go figure, he came through.
A full 162-game season, an all-star break for negotiations, and a World Series for negotiations later, and there is a total disconnect.
Here is what I don’t understand: Xander Bogaerts has done nothing but perform for you since he came up in 2013. He has two World Series rings, five playoff appearances, four All-Star Game appearances, and a whopping five Silver Slugger awards at shortstop. Regardless of his fielding ability, the numbers he has put up at the plate have been tremendous. Since his emergence in 2015, Bogaerts has been a top hitter at his position, dare I say a top hitter in the entire league.
Let’s not act like we haven’t seen this kind of disconnect between a franchise player and the front office before from Boston. Mookie Betts dealt with it. He’s going to be a Hall of Famer at this rate. Rafael Devers is going down the same road Betts did. Each day, it becomes more and more likely.
Here’s the great thing: You have everything you need to prevent it from happening with Xander Bogaerts. There’s no if’s, and’s, or but’s about this. Bogey is a Red Sox for life. The front office needs to stop making a splash on big-market free agents from other parts of the league when they have homegrown guys that need to be paid. Xander is a fearless leader, dynamic teammate, phenomenal hitter, improved defender, and loud clubhouse guy. I’ve got three words: Pay the man.
