Red Sox News & Notes: Xander Bogaerts, Yoshida, and Daniel Palka
Xander Bogaerts is a member of the San Diego Padres. That is something Boston Red Sox fans will need to get over, but what is more frustrating is that the player may have been willing to stay in Boston had the team made their final offer a lot sooner.
In fact, if the Red Sox offered Bogaerts a deal in the range of six years, $160 million range, Bogaerts would have had something to seriously think about. In an interview with WEEI’s Rob Bradford, the former Sox shortstop said he would’ve been tempted to accept the deal.
Well, talk about adding salt in the wound of Red Sox Nation.
"“Big time,” Bogaerts replied to Bradford’s question on whether he would’ve been tempted. “Yeah. It would have been hard. It would have been a lot of talking, for sure.”"
At least there would’ve been a conversation worth building on at the four-time MLB All-Star confirmed in revealing the initial offer started “off so low.”
Red Sox came in too low and it rubbed Bogaerts the wrong way
It sounds like the Red Sox wanted to make Bogaerts a top priority only if it was at their price. Perhaps locking Bogaerts up to the type of deal they wanted would’ve been the path to locking up Rafael Devers as well. It turned out to be either/or as Bogaerts got the big contract from the Padres and has moved on.
But it doesn’t take away his disappointment in the team he won two World Series championships with, nor does it take away how fans are feeling about the Red Sox ownership as it now stands.
Yes, the Devers deal softened the animosity a little, but learning that Bogaerts could’ve been in a Red Sox uniform in 2023 and above had the team showcased what they were saying with a more respectful offer to start with is hard to stomach.
Red Sox rookie Masataka Yoshida embraces first Spring Training game
One of the new additions who could take some of the sting out of the Red Sox not re-signing Bogaerts is outfielder Masataka Yoshida.
As a rookie of the year candidate, the outfielder will have some pressure to produce in the United States as he did as a star in Japan. In fact, if the Red Sox are to exceed expectations in 2023, Yoshida projects to be one of the reasons why.
It’s not something a team like the Red Sox would want to rely on, but Yoshida has the plate discipline to be a factor in the lineup. Out in the field could be another challenge for Yoshida who saw his first action in a Red Sox uniform during the team’s exhibition win over Northeastern University on Friday afternoon.
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In fielding two fly balls and showing off what he can do at the plate, excitement should only grow when it comes to Yoshida, especially his own excitement about his new team.
"“First of all, I was happy to stay healthy and, also, I was really excited to play in that atmosphere,” Yoshida said via MLB.com. “I felt a really fresh feeling. Everything in English, including the announcements, that’s a really good opportunity to get to know Major League Baseball.”"
In all, a first good impression for the new Red Sox outfielder.
Red Sox transactions: Team signs Daniel Palka to a minor-league deal
Spring Training is underway, but the Boston Red Sox aren’t done adding to the team. They are also still raiding the bargain basement for veteran players who have had previous success in the Majors.
Add former White Sox first baseman/outfielder Daniel Palka to the list. The power hitting lefty was signed to a minor-league deal by the Red Sox on Thursday providing some potential insurance in case Triston Casas needs some more time down in the minors.
The 31-year-old Palka is interesting because he did have some success back in 2018 when he hit .240 for the White some with a .778 OPS and 27 homers in 124 games. He really hasn’t done anything in the Majors since then but did show power in the New York Mets AAA affiliate last season, hitting .263 with 26 homers in 109 games.
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In all, this is most likely one of those minor moves that go nowhere, but with Justin Turner in the mix at both DH and first base, the player who should really be looking over his shoulder is Bobby Dalbec who now has some competition as a backup first baseman and at DH.
Perhaps the addition of Palka is the push Dalbec needs to show more of what he did when he debuted with the team back in 2020.