MLB Rumors: Red Sox All-Star Now Open To Extension Talks

As is the case with most players entering their free agent season, Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts had said he didn't want to talk extension during the season. However, a new report seems to have the BoSox All-Star leaving the door open on talks. 

Xander Bogaerts has opened the door back up to extension talks during the season:

“I don’t know how this would work. But if they talk to Scott behind closed doors and it’s something that’s fair, he can come to me.” Bogaerts said.

Pay him. Now. No excuse.#RedSox | #DirtyWater pic.twitter.com/Sj8XQHljo8

— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) May 15, 2022

Bogaerts told the Boston Globe's Peter Abraham, "I don’t know how this would work. But if they talk to Scott behind closed doors and it’s something that’s fair, he can come to me.”

'Scott' being his agent Scott Boras. Now, a Boras client giving up a chance at a full free agency would be a shocking turn of events. However, Bogaerts has done this once before, telling Boras he wanted to re-up with the Red Sox in 2019 and instructing him to get a deal done. 

This time around, though, the stakes are higher—and Boston already has a shortstop replacement in the fold in Trevor Story. 

Back in early April, as Opening Day approached, Bogaerts is said to have turned down a very underwhelming extension offer by the Red Sox—one report had the two sides $100M apart. At the time, he had said "‘It just didn’t work out. It’s behind us now.’

What's changed for now is uncertain, but it appears there could be a light at the end of the Xander tunnel for the Red Sox. 

Photo Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports