FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Xander Bogaerts has read the rumors about the Red Sox potentially being interested in big-name free-agent shortstops like Carlos Correa and Trevor Story. And as much as he’d like team to improve, Bogaerts doesn’t sound willing to move off shortstop to accommodate a new addition.
Bogaerts, who has logged more than 1,000 appearances at shortstop for the Red Sox since debuting in 2013, wants to stay at the position even if advanced defensive metrics suggest he might be declining.
“I’m a shortstop, man,” Bogaerts said Tuesday. “That’s where I’ve played my whole career and obviously a position I take a lot of pride in... I love being there.”
Bogaerts said he hasn’t talked to the Red Sox about a potential move to second base but has had a hard time ignoring media speculation that he might have to move if another shortstop comes aboard. He joked that the speculation has made him question his status on the Red Sox.
“It’s like sometimes I don’t even know if I’m on the team,” he said. “It’s like, ‘Hey, I’m here?’ But it’s what you do. You guys have got stories to write and you guys have more info on that type of stuff than us as players have. It’s out of my control. I really can’t do much about it. But sometimes you see it and you’re like, ‘Hey, I exist. I’m here.’ It is what it is.”
The long-term future of the left side of Boston’s outfield is a key question heading into 2022 because Bogaerts can opt out at the end of the season (and is expected to do so) and Rafael Devers is set to hit free agency after 2023. Three years ago, Bogaerts agreed to a six-year, $120 million extension late in spring training but negotiated the opt-out to give himself flexibility midway through the deal. As the Red Sox start an abbreviated spring training, Bogaerts is open to similar talks about another new deal but knows it might be hard for discussions to accelerate with Opening Day barely more than three weeks away.
“We don’t have much time if any of that’s going to happen,” he said. “Obviously, I love being here. Everyone knows it. I think that’s pretty clear.”
Unless Bogaerts gets injured or declines significantly in 2022, his opt-out decision should be an easy one. Despite being one of the very best shortstops in baseball, he’s making much less than what some other players at his position have signed for in recent years. Bogaerts’ $20 million average annual salary pales in comparison to what Francisco Lindor ($34.1 million AAV with the Mets), Corey Seager ($32.5M AAV with Texas) and even Marcus Semien ($25 million AAV to play second base for Texas) have signed for in the last 12 months. Correa and Story are expected to command massive deals in the coming weeks as well.
“They’re setting the market pretty different,” Bogaerts said.
Bogaerts, who has been with the Red Sox’ organization since signing as an amateur in Aug. 2009, would like to finish his career in Boston but the ultimate decision will come down to numbers. He said any extension talks would need to be tabled before Opening Day (April 7) so he could focus on the regular season.
“You see what’s going on... you’ve got to be a little open-minded,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed my time here, man. Obviously, you want to be here for a long time. We’ll see what happens.”
Bogaerts will try to improve his stock as a potential free agent on the defensive side of the ball this season. His first step, manager Alex Cora said, needs some improvement. At the end of last season, the Red Sox gave the 29-year-old Bogaerts some things to focus on defensively and Cora said the early returns in camp have been impressive.
“Whatever he touches turns into outs,” Cora said. “He doesn’t make too many errors. It’s just a matter of a few adjustments here and there. We can help him with positioning and we’ll see what the final product is going to be. In a big game, there’s a lot of managers out there who would say, ‘Give me that guy and we’ll see what happens.’”
Bogaerts has shown no signs of slowing down offensively, as he hit .295 with 23 homers and an .863 OPS last season while being named an All-Star for the third time in six years. He received MVP votes for the fourth consecutive year as well as his fourth career Silver Slugger award. Cora believes Bogaerts has some new hardware in mind as he begins the 2022 campaign.
“People probably think he doesn’t care defensively and it’s the other way around,” Cora said. “His goal is to win a Gold Glove. He has a lot of silver. He would love to add that.”
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