Boston Red Sox rumors: 3 big decisions awaiting team in offseason

Boston Red Sox big decision No. 1: When to extend Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers

Really, the decision here has already been made for the Red Sox. With all the backlash received from the botched attempts to extend Mookie Betts, the team is going to extend Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers at some point down the line. The question becomes when.

Of the two, Bogaerts is probably the more pressing case. Bogaerts signed a 6 year, $120 million deal back in 2019, but the problem is he can opt out after this upcoming season, and has said that he plans to do so. The good news is that he is open to working on a new deal with the Red Sox, and has said that he wants to stay in Boston.

Realistically, the front office should do what they have to do in order to fix Bogaerts’ contract this offseason. You don’t want to risk it becoming a distraction during the season (not that it would), and it would be better to get the future of the team squared away while you can. Bogaerts has shown a willingness to be a bit team friendly in his deals, so there’s no sense putting it off for too long.

As for Devers, he’s still under Boston’s control for the next two seasons with arbitration. However, it appears the longer you wait on Devers, the more expensive he is going to get. Devers is still just 25 years old and hasn’t even reached the peak of his powers yet. The longer you put it off, the more damage you are doing to your team.

At this point, the future of this team revolves around Bogaerts and Devers. Sorting out their contracts with the team is the biggest decision this offseason. They are the building blocks for the next great Red Sox team, so you may as well lock them up while you can.

Dealing Betts away when he wanted an extension could have been deadly, but the team rebounded. With Bogaerts and Devers, the decision shouldn’t be too hard; give them what they want, and build a World Series contender around them.