Red Sox have some catching up to do to pay their homegrown stars
If the Red Sox are going to retain Xander Bogaerts or Rafael Devers long-term, they’ll have to pay a lot more than what’s being reported.
Jul 20, 2019; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (11) and shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) looks onto the field during the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
If the Red Sox are going to retain either Xander Bogaerts or Rafael Devers long-term, they'll have to pay a lot more than what's being reported.
A new story by Jon Heyman at the New York Post seems to shed light on why Bogaerts was audibly upset when speaking to reporters about his contract situation. According to Heyman, the Red Sox' offer was to add one year to Bogaerts' existing deal - $60 million over 2022-24 - for another $30 million, bringing his total contract with Boston to $90 million. Bogaerts' camp, led by agent Scott Boras, didn't make an immediate counter-offer, but would have come back with a deal for at least $100 million more than that.
Heyman says a "friend" of Bogaerts described the Red Sox' offer as a "slap in the face."
Devers, meanwhile, is reportedly "looking for an ultra-long deal that would have made him a 'Red Sox for life,'" but the team prefers more of a "half-life deal." Heyman is reporting a $100 million gap (if not more) in the total money between the Red Sox and both players.
It's understandable that the team wouldn't just acquiesce to whatever mega-deal Boras demands for Bogaerts up front, or lead right out with 12 years and $400-plus million for Devers. But if the figures of their offer for Bogaerts are accurate, they are pulling a Will Smith. And they're doing it to the current face of the franchise.
Bogaerts can opt out after 2022. It's hard to see how he wouldn't, provided he stays healthy and produces at his typical All-Star level. A still-excellent Bogaerts should easily find a deal in the range of what other premium shortstops around baseball have gotten. Carlos Correa recently signed with the Twins for three years at $31.5 million annually. On the longer end, Francisco Lindor signed with the Mets for 10 years and $341 million, while Corey Seager landed a 10-year, $325 million deal with the Rangers.
The latter two contracts are ostensibly the kind of deal Devers wants to reach. In the case of Bogaerts, something between the Correa and Lindor/Seager deals doesn't seem like too much to ask, for a franchise cornerstone who has spent his entire career within the Red Sox organization. If this is not a player they want to make a "Red Sox for life," who is?
There's a long way to go with Bogaerts and Devers' contract situations, especially since it sounds like there won't be much negotiating during the 2022 season. But it's going to take a lot of movement from the Red Sox' side to turn this back in a positive direction.
Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. You can also email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.
