Red Sox looking at possible Xander Bogaerts trade?

(Photo: Getty Images)
Eric D. Schabell
 
Contributing Writer 

It's early in the season for the Boston Red Sox, but the start couldn't really be any worse.

As of today the Red Sox are 24th out of 30 teams in MLB, 11th out of 15 teams in the American League, and eight games back in the AL East. They are in 4th place just one game better than the Orioles, a team with ownership often cited as fielding a Triple-A team.

Again, it's early, only a month into the season, but the problem is the gaps is only growing between the Red Sox and the division leading Yankees. If the fall continues then they will soon be out of reach, baring some sort of meltdown. Many are getting worried.

It's actually worse that this comment suggests, as the Red Sox are now eight games out of first place in their division and only the Reds (11.5) and Orioles (9) are in worse positions right now.

The critics are mounting.
The offense is almost non-existent. Even a super fan has noticed that players from last year are out performing the entire Red Sox lineup offensively. It's a real mess right now and one of the Red Sox biggest critics was loud and clear.
What's all this got to do with the Red Sox trading Xander Bogaerts in 2022? 

Imagine this downward trend continues and over a month or two, just before the All-Star break, the Red Sox are over 15 games out of first place. That's the time to start thinking about the next season and getting return for players you might not be able or willing to retain.

It's been widely reported that the Red Sox made an extension offer to Bogaerts in Spring Training, yet were unable to sign him. The offer was 4 years at $90M, effectively adding a single year to the existing three on his current contract for just $30M. He has a play option at the end of 2022, one he's sure to exercise to become a free agent. Furthermore, the gap between asking and offered price was reported to be $100M, too much to deal with before the season started. 

Now add to that, on top of Bogaerts impending departure at the end of the season, a poor team performance putting them out of contention by the All-Star break. You get the perfect storm. The waiting fix for the hole created at the shortstop position in the name of Trevor Story

Keep an eye on the standings fans, it's going to be pivotal to start winning if you want any chance of seeing Bogaerts as a lifetime Red Sox.  If they continue to slip out of contention, the Red Sox are looking directly into the possibility of trading Bogaerts in 2022.

Post a comment or via twitter @erics_redsox with your thoughts.