Boston Red Sox owner singled out in scathing poll among MLB insiders after departure of Xander Bogaerts
The 2022 season represented a massive underperformance from the Boston Red Sox. With a record of 78-84, the team finished in the bottom spot in their division, the AL East.
One of the few bright spots for the team was their shortstop, Xander Bogaerts, who hit .307/.377/.456 with 15 home runs and 73 RBIs. This made him the most prolific hitter on the team by far.
The impotus was on the Boston Red Sox management to do all they could to keep Bogaerts around. After failing to do so, they, and particularly their owner John Henry, have been singled out for dropping the ball.
BREAKING: Xander Bogaerts is reportedly heading out West to join the Padres on an 11-year deal. https://t.co/dENAodvbWk
"BREAKING: Xander Bogaerts is reportedly heading out West to join the Padres on an 11-year deal." - @ MLB Network
Instead of re-signing with the team, Bogaerts instead chose to ink a massive 11-year deal worth some $280 million with the San Diego Padres. This means that he will suit up for a team other than the Red Sox for the first time since making his MLB debut in 2013.
Recently, The Athletic Magazine conducted a poll among 29 individuals who were identified as working in the MLB industry. The questions asked included:
"Which player who changed teams this offseason was the most irreplaceable?"
16 out of the 29 individuals asked identified Xander Bogaerts as the most irreplaceable player to leave their team this past offseason. One respondent slammed the John Henry and the Boston Red Sox front office, stating:
"When you’re in the place the Red Sox are with their fan base and you let a guy like this leave, it’s not just about replacing the player on the field"
Red Sox owner John Henry to The Athletic: What, if anything, do you think you could have done differently in the negotiations with Xander Bogaerts?
“We could have offered 12 years!” https://t.co/FNNRvkXiPA
"Red Sox owner John Henry to The Athletic: What, if anything, do you think you could have done differently in the negotiations with Xander Bogaerts? "“We could have offered 12 years!”" - @ Beyond the Monster
Henry, who also owns Liverpool FC, recently stated in an email memo that the team "could have signed Bogaerts to 12 years." However, it is widely believed that the Red Sox were not willing to commit more than $120 million over 6 seasons.
Respondents also slammed the Red Sox, who have been owned by Henry since 2002, for getting rid of other franchise players like Jon Lester and Mookie Betts, who shocked the Boston Red Sox fanbase when he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in early 2020.
Boston Red Sox can only hope 2023 brings brighter days after questionable offseason moves
The poll also identified two of the Boston Red Sox' key offseason signings as among the worst in the MLB.
The signings in question are that of relief pitcher Kenley Jansen and Japanese outfielder Masataka Yoshida. Both of whom are seen as players who were acquired to offset the hole left by Bogaerts, although many believe they will not come close to being sufficient replacements.