Xander Bogaerts riles up the Boston Red Sox fanbase after revealing reasons for departure: "Admitting the contract was more important than winning"

When Xander Bogaerts announced that he would be leaving the Boston Red Sox at the end of his contract in 2022, fans knew how devastating the effects of his absence would be.Bogaerts appeared at shortstop in more games than any other player in Red Sox history. In his decade playing in Beantown, the Curacao-born sensation hit .292 with 156 home runs and 683 RBIs.Bogaerts also won five Silver Slugger Awards, four All-Star designations and a pair of World Series with the Red Sox. It was the team he signed with when he made his MLB debut in 2013.Because of Xander Bogaerts' elevated status in Boston, it was a dagger through the hearts of legions of fans when he announced that he had inked a $280 million deal over the next 11 years with the San Diego Padres.Although fans in Boston expected the star to make a move, a recent interview with MLB Network's off-base has led some Red Sox fans to feel underappreciated and even offended.Jake “Iggy” Ignaszewski@JakeIggyXander Bogaerts talks decision to leave Red Sox and doesn’t sugar coat it31121Xander Bogaerts talks decision to leave Red Sox and doesn’t sugar coat it https://t.co/W4WGDlJgfQBogaerts wasted no time in claiming that it &quot;wasn't (hard) to be honest&quot; to leave his team of a decade. The 30-year-old claimed that he and the Boston Red Sox struggled to find common ground earlier in 2022 after exploring extension options.Sawx Takes@SawxTakes@JakeIggy How DARE the Red Sox not give you over decade!1@JakeIggy How DARE the Red Sox not give you over decade!🖕🏻CJ🖕🏻@V0NUM@JakeIggy Enjoy those 15 homerun seasons his production is easily replaceable he got overpaid for his lack of power@JakeIggy Enjoy those 15 homerun seasons his production is easily replaceable he got overpaid for his lack of powerThe 6-foot-2 Xander Bogaerts also praised his new team for &quot;coming in aggressive and early.&quot; Bogaert's signing came just months before the Padres extended their third baseman, Manny Machado, to a 13-year deal.Justin@jryanxc96@JakeIggy There is absolutely no way San Diego came in early and aggressive when the priority was Judge and Turner.5@JakeIggy There is absolutely no way San Diego came in early and aggressive when the priority was Judge and Turner.Zac@Blackimus12@JakeIggy So he's admitting the contract was more important to him than winning last season24@JakeIggy So he's admitting the contract was more important to him than winning last seasonMadCoast24@JohnnyGL92@JakeIggy He’s all talk now and San Diego is in love… let’s see how they feel when he hurts his wrist in July, leading to an offensive dip in the second half - particularly with power.3@JakeIggy He’s all talk now and San Diego is in love… let’s see how they feel when he hurts his wrist in July, leading to an offensive dip in the second half - particularly with power.Some Red Sox fans even compared Bogaerts to Nomar Garciaparra. Garciaparra became a fan favorite after winning the 1997 Rookie of the Year Award with the Sox. Garciaparra was traded to the Chicago Cubs in a highly contentious deal at the 2004 deadline.Lavender Papi Enjoyer@zavibeso@JakeIggy He’s gonna go down in history same as Nomar…got his feelings hurt and bailed on the team but the true fans will always love them both I think.I still wish Nomar had retired in Boston 16@JakeIggy He’s gonna go down in history same as Nomar…got his feelings hurt and bailed on the team but the true fans will always love them both I think.I still wish Nomar had retired in Boston 😭There is an abiding understanding that winning was also a driving force behind Xander Bogaerts' decision. The Red Sox finished with a 69-93 record in 2022, while the Padres flexed their muscles by making it all the way to the NLCS, where they lost to the Philadelphia Phillies.Dylan Boivin@interferingfan@JakeIggy I respect him and what he did but he absolutely did not play like last year was his lay in Boston. He pouted like a fucking baby each game and the front office offered what they believed he was worth based off that performance.@JakeIggy I respect him and what he did but he absolutely did not play like last year was his lay in Boston. He pouted like a fucking baby each game and the front office offered what they believed he was worth based off that performance.In the opening series of the season for the San Diego Padres against the Colorado Rockies, Bogaerts hit a pair of home runs and five RBIs. The Padres are seen as one of the top contenders in the NL this season.Xander Bogaerts' absence will only get starker for the Boston Red SoxAnytime a team loses such a pivotal player after such a long period of time, adjustments will have to be made. Unfortunately, for the Red Sox, they finished last in their division in 2022 even with Bogaerts. It's difficult to imagine the Sox keeping up with big bats in their division without him.

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