Red Sox: 3 2021 offseason mistakes Chaim Bloom can learn from
By Tim Boyle
2) Red Sox should have locked up Xander Bogaerts in the offseason
Xander Bogaerts is expected to opt out after the season. It doesn’t signal the end of his time in Boston, but it very well could, especially with the way this year appears ready to end with a whimper.
Despite teams in need of a shortstop boost having an abundance of options, Bogaerts should remain one of the more coveted free agents at the position. Everyone from the Los Angeles Dodgers looking to replace Trea Turner if he leaves to the Chicago Cubs, who might finally be prepared to spend more seriously, are landing spots. Let’s also not count out the surprisingly productive Baltimore Orioles. Wouldn’t that be something if the Red Sox lose Bogaerts to them?
It’s not fair to say Bogaerts’ contract situation has been a distraction. He has performed well enough, and for a good part of the season, it was him, Rafael Devers, and a few other bats leading the way. He remains a logical fit to stay in Boston beyond this year, but with no signs of a contract extension before the offseason in sight, one has to wonder if he’ll flee Beantown for another destination.
The Red Sox may have gotten too complacent with what they already had. Clearly, as we’ve watched them self-destruct throughout the year, they needed much more. Now, they’re in danger of losing one of the most important parts of the franchise.