{"id":89581,"date":"2022-10-07T06:15:09","date_gmt":"2022-10-07T06:15:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/the-red-sox-may-be-trying-to-extend-xander-bogaerts-before-he-even-has-a-chance-to-opt-out\/"},"modified":"2022-10-07T06:15:09","modified_gmt":"2022-10-07T06:15:09","slug":"the-red-sox-may-be-trying-to-extend-xander-bogaerts-before-he-even-has-a-chance-to-opt-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/the-red-sox-may-be-trying-to-extend-xander-bogaerts-before-he-even-has-a-chance-to-opt-out\/","title":{"rendered":"The Red Sox May Be Trying to Extend Xander Bogaerts Before He Even Has a Chance to Opt Out"},"content":{"rendered":"
The Chicago Cubs are highly likely to be active in the top tier of the shortstop free agent market this offseason by virtue of their need for a whole lot more offense, and their ability to accommodate a \u201cshortstop\u201d in the mix. It’s not about displacing Nico Hoerner at the position \u2013 he proved himself more than capable there this year \u2013 and is instead about upgrading the offense AND middle infield defense if such an addition moved Hoerner to second base, where he’s already shown Gold Glove ability. Plus, with shift limits kicking in, it’ll be all the more valuable to have TWO quality defenders up the middle.<\/p>\n
One of those top tier shortstops is Xander Bogaerts, who has been connected to the Cubs already this year. The thing about Bogaerts, like Carlos Correa, is that he isn’t technically a free agent until he opts out of his current contract with the Boston Red Sox. He has the right to do that after the playoffs, leaving three years and $60 million on the table in favor of some better deal he could almost certainly find. Much better.<\/p>\n
Knowing that he’s certainly going to opt out, the Red Sox are apparently already hard at work trying to ensure they get Bogaerts locked back up BEFORE the opt out date even arrives. <\/p>\n
First, ownership has met with Bogaerts privately to underscore just how important he is to the organization:<\/p>\n