Alex Verdugo speaks on Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers contract situations

Though Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers are not impending free agents, Alex Verdugo knows how important they are to the Boston Red Sox’s success, now and in the future.

Alex Verdugo knows how crucial star players like Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers are to the Boston Red Sox‘s success in the years to come.

“Boston’s got a tough decision and they got to fork over some money,” said Verdugo. “It’s that simple to get Devers and Bogey [under long-term contracts]. We really need them. These are impact players.”

Bogaerts is 29 years old. The three-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger and two-time World Series champion is under contract with the Red Sox through the 2025 MLB season. He has never played for another franchise in his 10-year big-league career.

Devers, on the other hand, is much younger. He is only 25 years old. Coming off a career year in 2021 where he made his first trip to the Midsummer Classic and nabbed his first Silver Slugger award, Devers is slated to hit his free agency after the 2023 MLB season. He has one year left of arbitration before he becomes an unrestricted free agent.

How should the Red Sox go about handling the contracts of their two 20-something stars?

Alex Verdugo weighs in on Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers contract situations

Clearly, Devers’ is the most pressing because the Red Sox’s brass only has a year and change to get something in the works. A power bat and a slick glove at third base will be a precious commodity on the free-agency market. Devers may have only played for the Red Sox at the big-league level, but that does not mean he will not go to the highest bidder in 2024 MLB free agency.

As for Bogaerts, the Red Sox have more time to figure out another contract. He is a bit older than Devers, so that may be a factor when it comes to putting pen to paper on another long-term deal for him. Since the departure of Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Bogaerts has been the seminal franchise cornerstone for the perennial AL East contender. They should keep it that way.

Ultimately, the Red Sox should have the financial resources to retain both players long-term, but they have to do it in sequence. This would require paying Devers first to ensure he does not go to open market. Even if this means Bogaerts will be underpaid for his services for a little while longer, the sooner the Red Sox can get Devers to agree to an extension, the quicker Bogaerts can get paid.

Players move all the time, but Verdugo is right in the Red Sox needing these two cornerstones.