![]() ![]() We’ve seen that for years in many different cases. “The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. “The thought process is (often) to look past somebody you’re really familiar with for somebody else who you might see as similar but a little shinier,” Bloom said. ![]() ![]() The fact he went out of his way to make sure he created no hard feelings and expressed no anger or disappointment suggested something more than lip service. In this market with at least four high-end options, the shortstop the Red Sox want is the one that - for the time being - just got away. It seems telling - or at least interesting - that Bloom was still speaking that way on the very day Bogaerts opted out. The Red Sox have been speaking this way about Bogaerts for months, making clear their desire to bring him back even as he kept slipping away. Obviously, a lot of it depends on how the roster comes together. In talking about it, we think both of those guys could play over there. “This is a scenario we had to contemplate because it’s our jobs to do that, but not one we want to (end up with). “I think both could (play the position),” Bloom said. Bloom said the Red Sox have at least discussed the viability of using one of them as the team’s primary shortstop next season. “We can do that and still stay engaged with our top choice.”Īmong the internal shortstop options are returning second baseman Trevor Story and returning center fielder Kiké Hernández, each of whom has played shortstop in the past. “I think if we don’t explore everything, at this point, we’re not doing our jobs,” Bloom said. For the time being, Bogaerts is proof that mutual interest doesn’t always lead to long-term deals. Qualifying offer decisions will be finalized on Thursday and could change the landscape. Bloom said the team has had conversations with some of their own free agents about coming back - they can’t talk to other team’s free agents yet - but he acknowledged that agreements rarely happen when a player is days away from the open market. The team does not expect first baseman Eric Hosmer to opt out either.Īnd so, the Red Sox are more or less where they expected to be at this moment, entering the offseason with most of their rotation gone, their starting shortstop gone, and glaring holes in their outfield and at designated hitter. Chris Sale has already informed the team that he will not opt out of the remaining two years and $55 million on his contract.Paxton can still exercise a one-year, $4-million player option or else also become a free agent. The Red Sox on Monday declined team options on outfielder Tommy Pham (one year, $12 million) and starting pitcher James Paxton (two years, $26 million).Martinez, Nathan Eovaldi, Michael Wacha, Rich Hill and Matt Strahm became free agents immediately after the World Series. The Red Sox declined Tommy Pham’s team option. Bogaerts is the biggest of several dominoes that have already fallen. Without him, the Red Sox have a clear picture of the offseason ahead. ![]() We need to explore every possible way to do that, but Bogey’s our first choice.”īogaerts had until Tuesday to make his decision, but his opt-out had become inevitable without some sort of new agreement on a fresh contract. “But part of our jobs is to explore every option to field a contending team next year and put together a really good group. The Red Sox have enough money coming off the books to make a run at any one of them, but keeping Bogaerts remains the preferred outcome. Carlos Correa, Trea Turner and Dansby Swanson are also available to the highest bidder. This free agent market is rich with high-end shortstop alternatives. We want him back, and we will stay engaged with him.” We respect his right to exercise it and to explore the market. It’s something you have to earn, and he’s earned it. “… That right to have his (value) fully vetted by the market is something that is important to a lot of players. “He was our top priority and our immediate priority, and we acted that way,” Bloom said, making clear the team had engaged in contract talks with Bogaerts since the end of the regular season. Bloom previously said that keeping Bogaerts was the team’s top offseason priority, but the two sides did not reach a new agreement in the past month, and so Bogaerts did what everyone knew he would do. On Monday he opted out of the final three years and $60 million of his current contract to pursue a bigger deal - probably a much bigger deal - on the open market. “Of course, we’re not happy with not having him in the organization.”įor first time since August of 2009, Bogaerts is not a member of the Red Sox organization. “When I said we’re not happy that he opted out, I don’t mean we’re not happy with Xander,” he said. Within seconds, Bloom asked to clarify his words. ![]()
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