While the Red Sox spent most of October, November and December pumping up their curiosity in re-signing Xander Bogaerts, the star shortstop’s agent, Scott Boras, figured it was by no means going to occur.
What the Red Sox have been saying publicly appears to have been in stark distinction to the numbers they have been discussing with Boras, who made revealing remarks to USA Today on Sunday.
“It was just really clear to us there was a separation where Boston was going to go for Bogaerts, compared to where the market was,” Boras instructed USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. “They most likely decided they have been going to signal (Rafael) Devers, and have been going to pay solely considered one of them. So we knew on the forefront that Bogey can be someplace in addition to Boston.
“Minnesota, the Cubs, the Blue Jays, they have been actually after him. But we form of knew the Padres’ man was Bogaerts (after Trea Turner rejected their provide). They needed that character, that management in that locker room.’’
Padres normal supervisor A.J. Preller mentioned as a lot throughout their press convention to introduce Bogaerts.
Shortly afterwards, when Boras was in Boston for the announcement of Masataka Yoshida’s signing with the Red Sox, Boras confirmed that the Red Sox had made it clear they weren’t going to increase themselves to maintain their franchise shortstop.
Bogaerts signed in San Diego for $280 million whereas the Sox’ highest reported provide was $160 million.
That the Red Sox have been lightyears away from retaining a franchise icon isn’t stunning, however is one other lesson in tempering expectations based mostly on feedback coming from the Sox’ entrance workplace.
Story replacements
Chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom additionally revealed final week that the Sox knew about Trevor Story’s declining arm energy, making it extra regarding that they’ve but to signal a free agent infielder this winter.
The market was ripe with top-tier shortstops and the Red Sox weren’t ever thought of severe contenders for any of them. Story is now slated to overlook a lot of the 12 months whereas he recovers from elbow surgical procedure.
The best choices to interchange Story and Bogaerts are Jose Iglesias and Elvis Andrus at shortstop or Jurickson Profar and Josh Harrison at second base. The Sox have already proven curiosity in a minimum of two of them.
The USA Today reported Sunday that the Sox have reached out to Andrus and Profar.
Andrus, 34, has been on the decline as a defensive shortstop however was nonetheless price 3.0 WAR final 12 months, when he hit .249 with a .707 OPS to go together with 17 residence runs and 58 RBIs. He break up the season with the White Sox and A’s.
Profar, 29, hit 15 homers with a .723 OPS for the Padres final 12 months. He’s extra of a second baseman/outfielder at this level.
Also within the USA Today report was info that former Red Sox pitcher Michael Wacha, who had a 3.32 ERA because the Sox’ finest starter final 12 months, is searching for a wage of $15 million. The Sox are possible performed including beginning pitchers and have about $20 million in payroll house earlier than they attain the posh tax threshold.
Potential reunion
Former Red Sox outfielder Tommy Pham posted an Instagram video of himself lifting weights in a Red Sox t-shirt.
The Sox are nonetheless in want of one other outfielder after declining Pham’s $12 million possibility for 2023, however might convey the 34-year-old again on a less expensive deal.
They’ve additionally been linked to Adam Duvall, 34, who performed in simply 86 video games with the Braves final 12 months as a consequence of a wrist damage, however hit 38 homers in 2021 and might be the perfect energy hitter obtainable.
If Kiké Hernandez stays within the infield, the Red Sox are determined for outfielders to associate with Yoshida, Alex Verdugo and Jarren Duran.
Prospect signing
According to MLB.com, the Red Sox have made a splash within the worldwide prospect signing interval after they agreed to phrases with Dominican shortstop Yoeilin Cespedes, the web site’s No. 25-ranked prospect, on a $1.4-million signing bonus.
Cespedes grades out as a contact hitter who compares to Howie Kendrick, MLB.com wrote.
The Sox have a signing pool of about $4.6 million after shedding $500,000 from their pool as a penalty for signing Story final spring.
Source: www.bostonherald.com