Between the morning and the afternoon, Wednesday was going smoothly for the Boston Red Sox.
They were in deep talks with star shortstop Xander Bogaerts, they brought in closer Kenley Jansen, and they secured the services of promising Japanese import Masataka Yoshida on a long-term contract.
Then the night came in, and disaster took place.
It was reported that the San Diego Padres signed Bogaerts to a shocking 11-year, $280 million pact.
Boston was never going to get that high in guaranteed money, and therefore lost one of their best players.
A former Red Sox player thinks the world hasn’t ended, to the contrary of what some fans seem to be feeling right now.
They saw Bogaerts be one of the best players on a championship-winning team in 2018, so of course they are disappointed.
But Will Middlebrooks believes Boston can still have a successful offseason with the following plan.
“Look, the Sox couldn’t match that. I love Bogie, but 11 years for a 30 year old SS is absurd. A deal should have gotten done last spring and this would have never happened. Now, use that Xander money to sign Dansby Swanson. There’s still a path to success in Boston,” he tweeted.
Look, the Sox couldn’t match that. I love Bogie, but 11 years for a 30 year old SS is absurd. A deal should have gotten done last spring and this would have never happened. Now, use that Xander money to sign Dansby Swanson. There’s still a path to success in Boston.
— Will Middlebrooks (@middlebrooks) December 8, 2022
Middlebrooks, usually spot-on with his analysis, says several interesting things here.
Swanson Is Not A Bad Alternative To Bogaerts
First, it is evident that the Red Sox didn’t lose Bogaerts on Wednesday.
They lost him last spring by not getting a deal done, much like the New York Yankees almost lost Aaron Judge.
And second, he recommends Swanson as an alternative to Bogaerts, and the truth is that he may fit in nicely in Boston should they pursue him.
In terms of offensive performance, Bogaerts is still the superior player with his 134 wRC+ in 2022 compared to Swanson’s 116.
However, Swanson is no slouch: he is a better fielder, he has more game power (he has a 52-38 home run edge in the last two seasons) and he will be way cheaper.
He is also two years younger.
With the savings, the Red Sox could start funding a Rafael Devers extension.
There is a way.
NEXT: MLB Insider Expresses Confusion On Red Sox And Bogaerts
Gary says
Sign Swanson Bogaerts is gone and not worth all the money for 11yrs He will be good for 4 to 5yrs then he will decline if he stays healthy