The Boston Red Sox gave Xander Bogaerts a new 6-year/$120M contract this spring, and he has been more than worth every single penny of the deal.
During the offseason, the Red Sox put in some work in the direction of re-signing some of their big-name talents. New contracts were given to Nathan Eovaldi and Chris Sale which will keep the pitchers in Boston for the foreseeable future. The biggest contract that was handed out was to shortstop Xander Bogaerts.
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Bogey was signed by the Red Sox as an amateur free agent in 2009 and since then he’s done everything to prove his worth to the Boston front office. He would make his Major League debut in 2013 and that year he’d be a key factor in the Red Sox bringing home their third World Series since 2004. Not a bad start to your big league career!
After that brief call-up in 2013, Xander would become a mainstay for the main roster. He would split time between third base and shortstop until locking down his spot at short in 2015. Red Sox Nation has seen Bogey grow up right in front of our eyes over the years. He has become one of the premier shortstops in the game which is why the Red Sox paid him this offseason.
At this point in the season, Bogey has a strong .305/.386/.550/.936 stat line. He has been one of the more consistent members of the Red Sox roster not only in the field but at the plate. The only thing that worries me would be that he already has 6 errors when his career high is 17. But that’s the story of the 2019 Boston Red Sox.
Even with the handful of errors, there are zero worries that Boston has made a mistake in locking down Bogaerts. The 6-year deal makes Xander the first long-term shortstop the Red Sox have had since Nomar Garciaparra. That’s some damn good company to be in.
Bogey was one of the bigger bats in the lineup last night against the Yankees as he hit a solo bomb to left field while adding another run later in the game. He did add his sixth error last night on a play where he made a gorgeous barehand grab just to throw it away. Such is life in this sport, the Baseball Gods giveth and they taketh away.
Bogie, you are cleared for takeoff. pic.twitter.com/mRp5OGiZ5S
— Red Sox (@RedSox) June 3, 2019
The bottom line of the matter is that at this point in the season Xander is not only one of the best players on the Red Sox roster but he is easily one of the best shortstops in the American League. Not only at the plate but in the field Bogey is incredibly consistent and has found the clutch gene that this team needs.
We’ve seen with this offense on more than one occasion this year for some of the big names like J.D. Martinez and Mookie Betts to disappear. In those moments Red Sox Nation has seen Bogaerts and his infield comrade Rafael Devers pick up the slack. Both have been major factors in this Boston team not being further down the standings.
Xander will be with the Sox until he is eligible for free agency in 2026 barring any unforeseen transactions. Personally, I don’t see Boston dealing away their stud shortstop anytime soon as the return package would need to be something otherworldly. So from the outside looking in it seem safe to say that Bogey isn’t going anywhere.
Bogaerts will turn 27 this fall during the postseason and it appears his best baseball is still in front of him. With his new contract set and the season well underway Bogey has slotted himself as a must play option in the lineup for the Sox. With Boston needing to dig themselves out of a pretty big hole, they’ll need Xander to be on top of his game all season long. If the first third of the season is any indication, I don’t think that’ll be an issue.