Red Sox fans in shambles after Xander Bogaerts leaves for Padres

The Boston Red Sox tried to re-sign Xander Bogaerts but couldn’t get it done as the shortstop signed a huge deal with the Padres, leaving fans in tears.

You can stop holding out hope, Red Sox fans. Everyone wanted Xander Bogaerts back in Boston, for the shortstop to finish his career on the infield in front of the Green Monster. Instead, he’ll be playing with the San Diego Padres until he’s 41 years old.

Late on Wednesday night, the Padres agreed to a monster 11-year, $280 million contract with Bogaerts, one of the prized free agent shortstops in free agency this offseason. This deal comes after San Diego made huge offers to both Aaron Judge and Trea Turner only for them to turn down more money to play somewhere else. The news was first reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

It’s a tough pill to swallow for Red Sox fans as another homegrown talent is gone not long after Mookie Betts was traded to the Dodgers in a similar situation. Only this time, Boston gets nothing as a consolation prize.

Red Sox fans react sadly to losing Xander Bogaerts to Padres

As you’d expect, fans were less than pleased with Xander Bogaerts getting away from the Red Sox.

Even worse is that, soon after the mega deal was reported, it was also reported that the Red Sox offer wasn’t in the ballpark of what the Padres gave him. That makes it sting even more.

Now Boston must switch up its focus to try and find a Bogaerts replacement. Both Carlos Correa and Dansby Swanson remain on the market, but this contract makes you wonder if the Red Sox would be willing to pay up to what those guys are wanting on a deal, which should be comparable or more than what the Padres gave Bogaerts.

The team better do something, though. Because the fans are less than thrilled with how all of this played out.