Xander Bogaerts has made a decision on his contract option
Xander Bogaerts is now in line to become a free agent, after officially opting out of the remaining three years of his contract Monday morning
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 09: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 09, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
Greg Fiume/Getty ImagesIn a move that has been projected since the beginning of the season, Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts has made the decision to opt out of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent. Bogaerts' name was included in a list of opt-outs released by the MLBPA Monday morning.
The Red Sox now have until Nov. 9 to exclusively negotiate a new contract with Bogaerts. He'll officially become an unrestricted free agent free to speak with all 30 teams when MLB free agency begins on Nov. 10.
Bogaerts, 30, signed his current contract as a six-year, $120 million deal back in 2019. That deal pays him $20 million dollars a year, which made him the league's fifth-highest paid shortstop last year.
However, shortstops contracts soared last offseason, Corey Seager, Carlos Correa, and Francisco Lindor all signed deals worth over $30 million a year last offseason. Spotrac currently projects Bogaerts' market value at $31 million a year, and his next deal as a six-year, $186 million contract.
Coming off this season, such a deal seems realistic. He hit .307 in 150 games in 2022, with 15 home runs and 73 RBIs. He was nominated for both a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger after the season.
Assuming he doesn't reach a new contract with the Red Sox by the end of the week, Bogaerts will be one of the top shortstops in free agency this year. He'll be joined by Trea Turner, Dansby Swanson, and Correa - whose deal from last year included an opt-out.
If the Red Sox can't sign Bogaerts, Trevor Story would likely take over as the team's shortstop. Story was signed to a six-year, $140 million contract last spring.
Xander Bogaerts career stats
| Year | Age | Tm | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 20 | BOS | 18 | 44 | 7 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 13 | .250 | .320 | .364 | |
| 2014 | 21 | BOS | 144 | 538 | 60 | 129 | 28 | 1 | 12 | 46 | 39 | 138 | .240 | .297 | .362 | |
| 2015 | 22 | BOS | 156 | 613 | 84 | 196 | 35 | 3 | 7 | 81 | 32 | 101 | .320 | .355 | .421 | SS |
| 2016 | 23 | BOS | 157 | 652 | 115 | 192 | 34 | 1 | 21 | 89 | 58 | 123 | .294 | .356 | .446 | AS,SS |
| 2017 | 24 | BOS | 148 | 571 | 94 | 156 | 32 | 6 | 10 | 62 | 56 | 116 | .273 | .343 | .403 | |
| 2018 | 25 | BOS | 136 | 513 | 72 | 148 | 45 | 3 | 23 | 103 | 55 | 102 | .288 | .360 | .522 | MVP-13 |
| 2019 | 26 | BOS | 155 | 614 | 110 | 190 | 52 | 0 | 33 | 117 | 76 | 122 | .309 | .384 | .555 | AS,MVP-5,SS |
| 2020 | 27 | BOS | 56 | 203 | 36 | 61 | 8 | 0 | 11 | 28 | 21 | 41 | .300 | .364 | .502 | MVP-17 |
| 2021 | 28 | BOS | 144 | 529 | 90 | 156 | 34 | 1 | 23 | 79 | 62 | 113 | .295 | .370 | .493 | AS,MVP-12,SS |
| 2022 | 29 | BOS | 150 | 557 | 84 | 171 | 38 | 0 | 15 | 73 | 57 | 118 | .307 | .377 | .456 | AS |
| Career | 10 Y | 1264 | 4834 | 752 | 1410 | 308 | 15 | 156 | 683 | 461 | 987 | .292 | .356 | .458 | ||
| 162 avg. | 162 | 620 | 96 | 181 | 39 | 2 | 20 | 88 | 59 | 126 | .292 | .356 | .458 |
Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.
