After 10 seasons with the Boston Red Sox, Xander Bogaerts is going west to play for the San Diego Padres signing an 11-year contract worth $280 million.
In those 10 seasons, Bogaerts earned two World Series rings, four AL All-Star selections and five Silver Sluggers. His best overall season came in 2019 when he hit .309 with 33 HR and 117 RBI. The Aruban born Bogaerts, who turned 30 in October, has collected 1,410 hits for a lifetime batting average of .292 with 156 HR and 683 RBI.
That Bogaerts left Boston isn't surprising. The Red Sox were never serious about re-signing him. He was a solid citizen who deserved to be welcomed back with open arms instead of being given the back of the hand. What is surprising is that he ended up in San Diego. But the Padres may have just acquired the last piece of the puzzle for that elusive World Series title. Bogaerts will fit very nicely in a lineup with Manny Machado, Juan Soto and Fernando Tatis, Jr.
The Red Sox will likely replace Bogaerts internally either moving Trevor Story or Kike Hernandez to shortstop unless they are willing to shell out money for Dansby Swanson. If they go for Swanson will they offer him more than the six years, $160 million they offered Bogaerts?
Boston has made some additions however. They have bolstered their bullpen by signing set up man Chris Martin who split time between the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers this past season and former Dodgers and Atlanta Braves closer Kenley Jansen. The Bosox have also added Japanese outfielder Masataka Yoshida on a five year deal worth $105 million. These players could help soften the blow of Bogaerts' departure.
But Red Sox fans will probably go through the same drama next year when Rafael Devers becomes a free agent unless they offer him a contract extension but the team looks about as interested in re-signing him as they did with Bogaerts.
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