Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston reported earlier this month that the world champion Red Sox had been discussing a contract extension with an unnamed player. It turns out that player was shortstop Xander Bogaerts, according to Drellich, though he adds that the two sides never came close to an agreement during their talks. The 26-year-old Bogaerts is now slated to make $12MM in 2019, potentially his last season with the Red Sox. Meanwhile, outfielder Andrew Benintendi – who, according to industry speculation, was an extension target for the Red Sox earlier this offseason – said Saturday he and the team haven’t talked about a new pact, Drellich relays. The 24-year-old Benintendi still has another pre-arbitration season remaining, meaning the Red Sox aren’t in danger of losing him for a while.
- As with Bogaerts, the Red Sox are at risk of losing outfielder and reigning AL MVP Mookie Betts in the near future. Betts, 26, is entering his penultimate year of arbitration control, in which he’ll earn $20MM (a record for a player in Year 2 of arb eligibility). Unsurprisingly, though, the Red Sox want to keep Betts in the fold for the long haul. CEO Sam Kennedy stated Saturday (via Drellich) that “we’ve made it crystal clear that we want him a part of the Red Sox organization long term.” Betts, for his part, said: “Contract things are kind of tough to come up with, especially with both sides and kind of how the economics and all those things work. I love Boston, love my teammates, love the fans and all those types of things, so we’ll just continue to see what happens.” While Betts does appear open to signing an extension with the Red Sox, he doesn’t seem averse to testing the open market, per Drellich.
- Two key members of Boston’s starting staff, left-hander Chris Sale and righty Rick Porcello, could each hit free agency a year from now. The soon-to-be 30-year-old Sale suggested Saturday that he’s willing to discuss an extension, but the Red Sox haven’t broached the subject yet. “My phone is on if they call me,” he said (via Ian Browne of MLB.com). “Obviously nothing has happened up until this point. If they call, I’d answer.” Sale also indicated that his left shoulder – which was a problem at times late last season, when he dealt with a massive drop in velocity – is no longer an issue. As for Porcello, 30, he also revealed that no extension talks have taken place, though he’d “love to” discuss a new contract with the club, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com tweets. For now, Porcello’s on track to wrap up the four-year, $82.5MM pact he signed with the Red Sox in April 2015.
- Having lost Joe Kelly to the Dodgers and Craig Kimbrel to the open market, Boston’s “actively engaged with multiple free-agent relievers,” Cotillo writes. While Cotillo doesn’t rule out a Kimbrel re-signing, he notes an addition could come in the $2MM to $3MM neighborhood. Kimbrel will certainly earn far more than that, though there are several other free agents who could be possibilities for the Red Sox in that price range.
- Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Thursday he doesn’t expect that all three of the team’s catchers – Christian Vazquez, Sandy Leon and Blake Swihart – will be on its Opening Day roster, Sean McAdam of BostonSportsJournal.com reports (subscription required). Because all of those players are out of options, a trade is likely coming. Dombrowski noted that “there’s interest, but we still haven’t made a deal we feel comfortable making.” All three catchers had abysmal offensive seasons over 200-plus plate appearances in 2018, but if defense is Boston’s main concern, the odd man out may be Swihart. After all, the former high-end prospect has accrued little playing time as a backstop over the past few years.
xabial
Seems like almost every Bosox player is a FA next 1-2 years…
Even DD’s contract expires after 2019
joshua.barron1
Yea of the position players, only Vazquez, Pedroia, Devers, and Benny have more than 2 years control. Only player coming up that could be a regular at the league minimum would be Chavis at 1B. Obviously they have a ton of money, but I don’t see how they don’t take a huge step back (or even possibly enter a light rebuild) after the 2020 season.
Zoar
Don’t forget jd has a opt out as well,wonder if sox start to fall apart if he takes his skills elsewhere, looks like Boston will have some major decisions coming and not much in the minors,that leads to playing the free agent game , cant afford to trade high value players for prospects…
deweybelongsinthehall
This is probably the new norm. If the league is getting more adverse to long term deals, what else is there besides having a very young club? Wasn’t vman issue last year when thus team was put together. All of the expiring contract players said the right things. Sale is the most interesting to me because of the way his seasons always seem to end. Despite what he recently said, any team would have to be concerned about giving him a long term deal without team protection. He’d never agree to this unless he first signed an extension, but imagine disabling him until June so he’s at his peak in October? In 1986, most don’t recall how good Bruce Hurst was in the second half. Historically until then, he’d tire out at the end of the season. In 86, he was hurt at the beginning and came back I believe in July.
Bernie's Dander
Sox will be fine. They figure to be right in the mix this year but will need to get below the luxury tax after 2019 or 2020. They will be able to reload on the fly with Benintendi and Devers as the next core and a bunch of intriguing pitchers in the system. Who know how their system will look in 2+ years anyway. Panda comes off the books this year and then Rusney the year after that. If they can figure out a way to buy out Pedroia they will have OFFICALLY undone all the damage Cherington did during his tenure.
Connorsoxfan
Lucchino, not Cherington
pasha2k
LL did much damage to the Redsox, still can cept for DD, n Larissa.
southern lion
I think Pedroia is done. Just don’t see him regaining his full usefulness back at his age. He’ll be good clubhouse leadership though.
mikeyank55
It’s comforting Joshua that Peedy’s contract is controllable for a few more years. He’s the only one on the roster that is a certified Apple Watch trainer and is continuing to develop the Red Sox app “Stealing signs”.
BobSacamano
Soo two more year of Yankees losing? Got it.
biasisrelitive
But that’s also just how windows go if they can make 2 more deep runs then rebuild it would have been a good run 2015-2020
ffrhb14Sox
Happens when you grow so much of your lineup out of your system. Why cant they sign some of them? They’ll stay competitive if they do, add some free agents and get some hits out of Chavis, Dalbec, Groome, Feltman, Hernandez, Mata, etc. Sox willbe fine even if they arent the 108 win WS champs again, they arent going to the basement unless they choose to.
ffrhb14Sox
Haha, would love to hear how that is a downvote. Must be a Yankee fan afraid of that reality.
InPolesWeTrust
Who cares?
CalcetinesBlancos
Sale is coming back to the White Sox.
bencole
Yeah he loved the White Sox… especially Kenny Williams
Steven Chinwood
They have the sharpest scissors.
DarkSide830
and the most snippable retro unis
ChiSoxCity
The Sox can afford Sale, but they probably won’t need him by then.
Steven Chinwood
Yea, they’re moving the team to Vegas.
ChiSoxCity
And they’re moving the Cubs to the burbs where they belong.
whynot101
Sale first real chance at the big time SP dough. His current contract has been $o owner friendly
pasha2k
No he’s staying in Boston, he loves it here.
canocorn
Who needs catchers anyway? They don’t even set up in fair territory. Least important position on the field (except for the other 8).
Tcsbaseball
This might be the dumbest comment that I’ve ever read on here
DarkSide830
that might possibly be the dumbest thing ive seen said on the internet.
canocorn
Next time, you Beansox baseball geniuses might try reading the whole thing before commenting.
slowcurve
Trying too hard bud.
kyredsox17
I thought it was funny…
joshua.barron1
It’s beantown or bosox. I also enjoyed your comment
BlueJayFan1515
Trying to be Winston Churchill?
TeddyBallgameYazJimEd
Canocorn..Satire and sarcasm is lost on the masses…their inability to comprehend that you were saying the catcher was the most important player on the field should embarrass them..
But they are not smart enough to be embarrassed.
Tcsbaseball
Good one. I’m sure you’re the sharpest guy in the room as you sit and type that from your mothers basement
rrddbb44
This is a weak joke
gronk
Did that many people really not get the joke? I chuckled , and I consider myself a how’d you say it? Beansox baseball genius?
InPolesWeTrust
It made me chuckle Gronk.
RedSox4Life4ever
I wonder how far apart the Bogaert’s talks were? I really would love for the Sox to extend him.
Bernie's Dander
Boras is his agent, so I bet he’s using Altuve as a comp. Sox won’t be signing Bogaerts after 2019. No chance. Porcello is also gone and JDM, too(if he opts out). Sale figures to be the one they try hardest to keep after 2019.
jmi1950
Boras may have to take “new market values”.
sorroxi
Xander is more likely then Sale.
& if JD Opts out, that’s 23 Mill
So they’d be even More Flexible on how they wanna approach it
yesgeo
Bogart us rather average player for 12million … he will get greedy and borass will con some idiot owner into a super contract … will owners ever learn ?
DarkSide830
Xander might just be the most underrated player on the Red Sox, and would be a steal for whoever gets him in free agency next year. There is no way the Sox will come close to the money he wants, and i cant blame Xander when he turns them down.
deweybelongsinthehall
Problem with XB is he had so much potential and a deal probably could have been made last year but after the monster year he had and with all the decisions the team has, he likely priced himself out. If his power keeps up and stays healthy, he also can move to third if the need arose. He clearly was as clutch as any Sox hitter in 18.
ffrhb14Sox
Problem is Xander has the worst agent who will overrate him and look for the most money. He’ll ride out a long winter like Harper and Machado and JD and other guys and lose the feel of his first organization, his legacy, that competitive team for not much more than he could agree to early.He wont even consider it and it’ll be best wishes Xander.
Bernie's Dander
He had a career OPS+ of 100 prior to 2018. Then he was great last season. Maybe he’s improving at the right time, but he’s going to want 6+years at $20M+ and he’s not worth it.
aussiegiants53
Sox are in deep poop if they don’t start re stocking, can’t see Betts, Sale, Xander etc re signing, their farm system is average. What’s their plan going to be?
Zoar
They will be paying luxury taxes for some time lol , the team that always cried about yankees just spending to win , how fast the table has turned.. can’t wait to hear the fans cry
aussiegiants53
While they won the WS last year, their longer term outlook is not looking good. Unless they trade all their assets and rebuild on the fly
ffrhb14Sox
Sox just need to sign a couple of their homegrown starters from Betts, Bogaerts, Benintendi, JBJ, Devers and use money dropping off from Sale, JD (assuming opt out), Porcello, and Sandoval to add around. They’ll certainly step back a little but stay competitive and spend less. It’s really a good position. Yanks are almost at same salary now and their young guys arent as advanced as Boston in service so arb money will grow fast.
lamars
Haha, the Red Sox are nothing like the Yankees. The Red Sox won the World Series in 2013 with 12 homegrown players and few underated and low cost free agents. They won in again 2018 with 90% of homegrown talent on the 40 man roster. The Red Sox had 15 homegrown players on their 25 man WS roster, and that was with Pedroia missing the whole season. Red Sox threw money at Price and J.D. Martinez, while trading top prospects for Sale and Krimbrel and made lesser trades for controllable players like J. Kelly, T. Thornburg, Procelo, D. Pomeranz and E. Rodgriguez. Not even close to the money the Yankees three at players and to have only one WS win to show for it. Trust me, our Red Sox will be just fine, especially with bad contracts for H. Ramierz, Fat Panda and Ruesney Castillo.
Michael Birks
Castillo’s salary is irrelevant, he won’t sniff the 40 man in Boston, so his $$$ doesn’t matter
biasisrelitive
Have 2 great seasons to cap off a great 6 year run then rebuild and get at it again in 2024
bobtillman
Oh ya it’s the Death of the Valakries (sp) for the Sox…..immanent extinction after next year……
What will REALLY happen is the intense financial motivation this year (not that players pay attention to their paychecks; you don’t pay attention to yours, right?) will lead them to be better than they were last year. 115 wins isn’t out the question.
Next year? Some will walk, some (Mookie probably) will stay. They’ll sign the Rockies 3B who MIGHT do OK in Fenway, and grab some arms. They’ll be in the hunt again.
The Sox don’t dream of the future, they act for the present……sometimes (like all teams) they’re right……Strong, committed ownership…..51 % of revenues to payroll, highest in MLB…..the train will keep on runnin’……
kyredsox17
^THIS^
puigpower
I wonder how much teams make when they win the WS? Gotta be a nice penny. Put that into the team?
bobtillman
So much of the Sox financial picture is tied to NESN, which they own (85% at least). They learned their lesson 5 years ago….if the Sox stink, nobody watches. So they make sure they don’t stink.
They’ll goof on their evaluations….everyone does. But there’s big motivation to put good teams out there.
Good farm systems are nice to have; no one doubts it. But having a strong farm is far from the whole enchilada. The Padres and Rays have had great systems for 5 years now….tell me, how have they done?
And when they hit on a prospect, they usually hit pretty well; see Benetendi, Devers. And yes, Devers has his issues; he’s also YOUNGER than (at quick glance) 80 of MLB’s Top 100 pipeline….
It’s all about the ownership’s commitment to winning…….
deweybelongsinthehall
Bob, Devers should be in the minors to learn 1B. Sox best everyday minor leaguers play third and Devers could be their first baseman in 2020, saving nearly all of the $13m the team is paying Moreland and Pierce.
ffrhb14Sox
I agree but I think he can learn it without the trip to the minors. Hoping he moves to 1st, Dalbec earns the job, trade Chavis. Good savings at 1B for a couple, savings at 3rd as well.
lamars
Both Moreland and Pierce are free agents after the 2019 season. So that 13 million will be off the books.
pasha2k
I like Devers, I think one day he’ll be another Ortiz. Remember Ortiz was slow to grow into the mega star he was.
Priggs89
Hey Rick Hahn – Start the Mookie Friends & Family plan ASAP.
coldbeer
As a Jays fan, it pleases me to hear that Boston may be facing a scenario where their top level talent might actually hit the market. However, i still hate the Yanks more.
Can’t wait for Vlad the Savior to start dishing pain to the AL East!
Steven Chinwood
You know what they say about prospects.
coldbeer
Yeah, I do. You know what they say about farm systems.
Steven Chinwood
Prospects are just suspects.
Bruin1012
The Red Sox are facing a soft rebuild they won’t be able to sign everyone. I’m thinking the soft rebuild begins after 2019.
The Red Sox under current ownership will put a competitive product on the field.
If the Red Sox have some injury issues and it doesn’t look good at the midway point of the season then they could start the rebuild early. They would have tremendous assets that could rebuild the farm very quickly. If all systems are go then maybe go all in again for a chance to win it all and then start the rebuild. Either way the Red Sox will be fine don’t see a long rebuild process with a team that is willing to spend on their team. I would expect at worse a short year or two setback.
ffrhb14Sox
Happens when you grow so much of your lineup out of your system. Why cant they sign some of them? They’ll stay competitive if they do, add some free agents and get some hits out of Chavis, Dalbec, Groome, Feltman, Hernandez, Mata, etc. Sox willbe fine even if they arent the 108 win WS champs again, they arent going to the basement unless they choose to.
steve dolan
Trade Porcello for a prospect. Trade Leon for another prospect. Sign FA Gio Gonzalez SP for 10mm. Sign FA Shawn Kelley RP for 4.5mm. Save 9.0mm.
pasha2k
Have you lost your mind? Or are you a frustrated NYY fan?
steve dolan
It’s all about the $, bub. Do you think they should keep Porcello and Leon ? Don’t think so.
Need to rebuild the farm a bit.
Brennen
They should sign Manny and option Devers for the season until Xander leaves town giving them an opportunity to fill that spot 1-2 seasons after and evaluating Devers further. They will be able to slide Manny to 3rd and have Devers DH/1B? Over budget for a big market team shouldn’t be a huge deal for anyone other than the ownership group which clearly has enough money!
Bruin1012
They aren’t going to sign Machado.
Brennen
Lifelong Orioles fan. Love Machados talent. Hate his attitude. Don’t want him back in the East but think of Boston wants to stay relevant if they can’t resign there guys they should sign a 26 year old stud.
lamars
Both Moreland and Pierce are free agents after the 2019 season. So that 13 million will be off the books.
lamars
Haha, as a Red Sox fan, I even know that scenario is farfetched.
pasha2k
You’re more nuts than the guy above you.
Guest617
boston operates an international gambling casino that paying any luxury tax is considered ashtray money. it’s safe to say they re-sign kimbrel, trade both swiehart and devers. business as usual
TeddyBallgameYazJimEd
Canocorn..Satire and sarcasm is lost on the masses…their inability to comprehend that you were saying the catcher was the most important player on the field should embarrass them..
But they are not smart enough to be embarrassed.
angler
How about Red Sox and Braves get together? Porcello, JBJ and Xander for Viz (to close), Dansby, Soroka, Gohara, and Wentz.
gomerhodge71
History shows that, aside from Ortiz, the Red Sox have a poor track record of re-signing potential free agents. I don’t see them keeping any of the above mentioned players. They would have been better off signing Markakis (who would be perfect for Fenway) and trading JBJ.for a prospect or two.
bcap
Betts – Got to sign him
JD – if he continues to produce and healthy he opts out, Sox renegotiate and resign
Porcello – Resign 1-3 years $20m per (solid 2 or 3)
Sale – Do not resign unless convert to closer after 2019 season
X – Can’t resign, replace w solid defensive SS and/or move Devers over. and trade now to get legit prospects, Chavis at 3rd 2020
Bruin1012
I’m just trying to understand your Devers comment are you saying move Devers to shortstop?
bcap
Yes move Devers to SS, he played there in the minors.
Bruin1012
He might of played there in the DR but to my knowledge he never played SS in the minor leagues. There is absolutely no way Devers can play SS.
JFactor
Mike Mayers for Blake Swihart deal makes sense for both sides in my opinion
baseballguru
Wrap up Mookie. Do it this year…be fair and if he rejects it…tell him you won’t be participating in the Free Agency next year. Do it or End it and move on. Sale Ok…and definitely trade Leon or Vasquez… Swihart needs to stay and be the everyday guy!