The Boston Red Sox were just one game away from being a World Series champion, but now that word is out about Xander Bogaerts’ contract decision to sign with the New York Yankees. The $80 million dollar deal sends shockwaves through baseball and makes it clear who will come out on top in 2018.
Trevor Story’s contract with the Colorado Rockies has made Xander Bogaerts’ $80 million decision painfully obvious. Read more in detail here: trevor story contract.
During the winter, the Boston Red Sox were forced to watch as their American League East opponents loaded up on talent. On Sunday, though, Boston finally joined the party, signing former Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story to a six-year, $140 million contract.
Because of the presence of shortstop Xander Bogaerts, Story will slide over to second base. In theory, the pair should give the Red Sox one of baseball’s best middle infields. However, there’s a good chance the couple won’t stay together for long.
The Red Sox have named Trevor Story as their new starting second baseman.
The Red Sox were forced to settle with Story after failing to get Freddie Freeman. After his fourth year, the 29-year-old has a player option, but the club may opt him back in and add a seventh season, bringing the total worth of the deal to $160 million over seven years.
Story has been one of the finest offensive shortstops in baseball since making his MLB debut with the Colorado Rockies in 2016. Over a 162-game season, the Texas native has a career slash line of.272/.340/.523 with an average of 34 home runs and 98 RBI.
Story was selected to his first of two All-Star Games in 2018, and he finished in the top 12 in MVP voting in each of the next three seasons. In 2021, though, the veteran witnessed a significant drop in production, batting just.251 with an OPS+ of 103, just over league average. The worst of it came on the road, as he hit.203/.292/.426 outside of Coors Field’s hitter’s paradise.
With Bogaerts firmly established at shortstop, the former Rockie will easily transition to second base to replace Kike Hernandez, Christian Arroyo, and Marwin Gonzalez.
Xander Bogaerts seems to be a foregone conclusion when it comes to testing free agency.
The Boston Red Sox’s Xander Bogaerts #2 warms up before Game 6 of the American League Championship Series. | Michael Starghill/MLB Photos via Getty Images
This summer, Boston was never a clear match for any of the top free-agent shortstops. Bogaerts has been in charge of the role on a near-daily basis since 2014.
Across nine major-league seasons, the 29-year-old owns a.290/.353/.459 batting line. X possesses an excellent bat, as seen by his four Silver Sluggers, as well as enough pop to fit into Boston’s good lineup. Over the previous four years, he’s also placed in the top-17 in MVP voting, including a career-high fifth place finish in 2019.
Bogaerts, in other words, is a player who may fetch a high price on the open market. The Red Sox may be less willing to pay this money today.
Xander signed a six-year, $120 million deal before the start of the 2019 season, which will pay him an additional $20 million each year until 2026. The three-time All-Star does, however, have a player option beyond this season. Bogaerts may opt out of the remaining four years and $80 million of his contract to chase a higher free-agent deal on the open market if he so desires.
That doesn’t rule out the possibility of the Red Sox re-signing their All-Star shortstop. However, this is the same front staff that instead of re-signing franchise cornerstone Mookie Betts, moved him. The Sox seem to be putting themselves up to lose Bogaerts after the season and relocate the defensively better Story to his natural position in 2023, with club president Chaim Bloom not one to go on major spending sprees.
Re-signing Bogaerts may take a backseat to extending another homegrown talent.
Rafael Devers said he hasn’t spoken to the Red Sox about extending his contract, but he wants to remain for a long time.
— Christopher Smith (@SmittyOnMLB) March 15, 2022
Bogaerts will almost certainly obtain a deal substantially higher than the one he now has if he has another solid season. As a result, the Red Sox must be cautious with their funds, particularly when another star is about to get a hefty salary in the near future.
Rafael Devers, a 25-year-old third baseman, is considered one of baseball’s best offensive third basemen. With a slash line of.279/.352/.538 and a career-high 38 homers, 113 RBI, and 101 runs scored in 2021, the kid put up a strong showing.
Devers has two more years under contract with the organization before becoming a free agent in 2023. The Red Sox are doing all they can to keep him from getting there. An agreement worth more than $200 million for a player of his level isn’t out of the question.
Extending Devers’ contract, of course, implies less money for Bogaerts. When you factor in the fact that Story is now involved, Red Sox supporters should start planning for X’s farewell to Fenway Park in 2022.
Baseball Reference provided all statistics, while Spotrac provided contract information.
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