Red Sox could be forced to trade Xander Bogaerts this season

When the Boston Red Sox traded Mookie Betts and David Price to the Los Angeles Dodgers, most people thought it was the beginning of the end for them and their winning days. Some even speculated that Xander Bogaerts could also be shipped before the start of the season.

Boston held on to the Aruban shortstop for this campaign and thus far, he’s proving to be their leader on and off the field, hitting .273 with 12 runs, 13 RBIs, 2 stolen bases, and an OBP of .337 through the first 23 games of the season.

So, why on earth should the Red Sox consider trading their franchise cornerstone? Well, for starters, their farm system isn’t looking good at all. They must make some moves planning ahead to the future.

Second, the Red Sox continue to slide in the AL East. They’re currently sitting at a 6-18 record and trail the New York Yankees by 10.5 games. They’re not going to make the playoffs and that’s not going to change any time soon. But still, that’s not the biggest reason to trade Xander Bogaerts this season. So what is it then?

Xander Bogaerts’ Contract: The No-Trade Clause

The Red Sox signed Xander Bogaerts to a huge contract extension in 2019. That new deal could keep him at Fenway Park through 2025 while paying him $20 million a year, which is pretty reasonable considering his contributions.

Then again, his contract includes a no-trade clause once he reaches seven years of service in the Majors. As you may have noticed by now, he could reach that milestone as soon as September2020, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. That’s right after the August 31 trade deadline.

So, if the Red Sox want to make the most out of their most valuable asset without his consent, they must act now. Bogaerts’ talents could come handily on pretty much every team on earth, and his value is an all-time high as he enters his prime at just 27 years old.