Padres fans will love Red Sox fumbling Xander Bogaerts talks

The San Diego Padres have been one of many teams that have benefitted from the recent penny-pinching ways of John Henry and the Boston Red Sox. Without such miserly ways, they could have been able to retain beloved All-Star shortstop Xander Bogaerts.

While some onlookers may be a bit skeptical of the fact that the Padres signed Bogaerts to an 11-year contract that will keep him paid until he’s 40 years old, the Padres had no such reservations or concerns. If the Red Sox were a bit more open to giving Bogaerts a big payday, they might have been able to

According to ESPN’s Joon Lee, Chaim Bloom and the Red Sox completely bungled the Bogaerts talks. After Trevor Story signed a six-year, $140 million deal, Bogaerts camp would have considered signing with Boston if his extension was roughly in the same neighborhood.

However, the Red Sox only offered Bogaerts one more year and $30 million on top of the $60 million he had left on his deal. Bogaerts perceived that move as a “slap” that likely soured relations and made him more receptive to San Diego’s overtures.

The Boston Red Sox led Xander Bogaerts to the San Diego Padres.

Bogaerts has hit .301 with 38 home runs in the last two seasons, making the All-Star team in both campaigns. Coming off the best defensive season of his career, Bogaerts is playing so well that the Padres were willing to kick Fernando Tatis Jr. out of his old shortstop spot in order to make him feel at home.

While the Red Sox did not want to give Bogaerts a contract that compensates him until he turns 40, especially with top prospect Marcelo Mayer likely to factor into the infield picture at some point, the fact that Xander bolted town is a sign that ownership may not have their eyes set on fielding the most competitive team possible in 2023.

After trading Mookie Betts to the Dodgers in a deal that brought back one bang-average player in Alex Verdugo and a bunch of Jack in the Box coupons while also failing to extend Rafael Devers, the Red Sox’s recent cost-cutting could help the Padres and other contenders get even stronger.

The Red Sox are operating like a small-market team trying to cut costs, while the Padres are showing they can compete with just about anyone. The Bogaerts signing was a paradigm shift that further established San Diego as one of the most aggressive teams in the league.

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