Xander Bogaerts' Padres story has Red Sox fans missing key veteran leadership
The Boston Red Sox are one of the youngest teams in MLB, and a lack of veteran leadership has been a clear deficiency for them on the field and in the clubhouse.
Xander Bogaerts, one of Boston's longtime leaders until he signed with the San Diego Padres organization before the 2023 season, has continued to set a good example and help younger players with his new squad. Dustin Pedroia, another one of the Red Sox's longtime leaders, showed Bogaerts the way when he was coming up through the Red Sox organization.
Sports reporter Annie Heilbrunn recently shared an example of Bogaerts' mentorship on Twitter. Padres rookie Jackson Merrill drilled a three-run homer on Sept. 4, and Bogaerts embraced him when he finished his trot. The two Padres have a close relationship, on and off the field.
The veteran shortstop bought suits for Merrill and fellow rookie Graham Pauley before the season — just as Pedroia did for him years ago. Heilbrunn shared that Pedroia's leadership stood out to Bogaerts, and Bogaerts stood out to Merrill, who grew up a Red Sox fan.
Xander Bogaerts' leadership in Padres clubhouse shows Red Sox what they're missing
Xander Bogaerts waited to give Jackson Merrill a big hug after that 3-run HR. Fun Fact about the #Padres teammates:
— Annie Heilbrunn (@annieheilbrunn) September 5, 2024
Bogaerts bought suits for Merrill & Graham Pauley to start the season. He said when he came up as a rookie with the #RedSox, Dustin Pedroia did that for him. (🧵)
After the departures of Bogaerts and Chris Sale, the Red Sox lack veteran stewardship. Alex Cora and some Sox players consider Trevor Story a leader in the clubhouse, but his frequent injures keep him from the team in valuable teaching moments. Rafael Devers has become "the guy" for Boston since his contract extension, but he isn't comfortable accepting a "veteran" label or position in the clubhouse, at least, publicly.
In 2024, the Red Sox's lack of maturity has shown. From rough defense that hasn't improved much over the season to players facing discipline for the use of slurs against fans, Boston's clubhouse lacks an experienced example of an ideal big leaguer. Devers is nearly there, but the 27-year-old still lacks the quantity and quality of experience, on and off the field, that Bogaerts has.
And Bogaerts had a number of legendary Red Sox to show him the way, like Pedroia. The front office sold all of Boston's experienced, high-quality talent to prioritize youth and save money — mostly the latter. The 2024 Red Sox's young players are all finding their way at the same time, and without veterans to help them learn and lighten the load, their path to becoming well-rounded big leaguers will be much harder.
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