As the Boston Red Sox continue to heat up, winners of five straight games, several important looming contract situations remain unresolved.
Chief among them is the status of Xander Bogaerts, the 29-year-old shortstop who can opt out of the final three years of his deal following the 2022 season.
One of Bogaerts' former teammates, David Ortiz, made his thoughts on the matter clear, declaring that "it would be stupid" to let a guy like that go.
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"Bogaerts is the perfect player for any organization," said Ortiz, who spent the final four seasons (2013-16) of his Hall of Fame career playing with Bogaerts. "He will represent this organization on and off the field. So that conversation needs to take place at any time."
Bogaerts has spent his entire professional career with the Red Sox after signing with the team as an international free agent in 2009. He debuted in the majors in 2013, winning the first of two World Series titles.
Bogaerts is off to a fantastic start this season, hitting .325 with four homers, 17 runs batted in and an .842 OPS over 40 games. He had initially indicated that he wouldn't negotiate an extension with the team during the season, but seemed to offer the team a lifeline earlier this month.
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"To me, he's one of the most complete players and shortstops in the game as of right now," Ortiz said. "He does a little bit of everything. He’s a good clubhouse guy. He’s a hard-working dude. Everybody loves him. You have never heard a coin drop about that guy. So he’s perfect for this organization."
After squandering an opportunity to keep another former homegrown teammate of Ortiz's (Mookie Betts) in a Red Sox uniform for life, perhaps Boston's front office can make things right by Bogaerts -- and Rafael Devers, for that matter.