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Ten reasons to look forward to the 2022 Red Sox season

By Daniel Fox

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 11: Enrique Hernandez #5 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates his game winning sacrifice fly with teammates in the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays during Game 4 of the American League Division Series at Fenway Park on October 11, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 11: Enrique Hernandez #5 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates his game winning sacrifice fly with teammates in the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays during Game 4 of the American League Division Series at Fenway Park on October 11, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images) /
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Red Sox SS Xander Bogaerts
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 19: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox stands on the field after striking out against the Houston Astros to end the seventh inning of Game Four of the American League Championship Series at Fenway Park on October 19, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

The possible last season for Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts

Xander Bogaerts has already achieved a lot in his nine seasons in Boston. The homegrown shortstop has made three All-Star teams, won four silver sluggers, and totaled 1239 hits and 141 home runs. He’s also been a key piece of five playoff teams and two World Series championships, and his accountability and leadership have made him a fan favorite in Boston.

Despite his status as the longest-tenured Red Sox, there is a genuine chance this could be Bogaert’s last season in Boston. The contract he signed in 2019 features an opt-out after this season, and the $20 million he is due each of the next three years is comically low compared to the contracts of other great shortstops. Reports have already surfaced that he plans to opt-out, and though the Red Sox will undoubtedly make a run at re-signing him, Bogaerts could be playing somewhere else in 2023.

No matter what happens this offseason, Red Sox fans should take solace in at least one more season of Bogaerts manning the six. Devers may be the Red Sox’s best player, but Bogaerts is the face of the franchise. If this is really the last season Bogaerts will wear a Boston uniform, Red Sox fans should enjoy every minute of it.

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