When they need him with two outs or in the clutch, he is garbage. His power is obviously declining which suggests his bat speed is declining. His fielding has never been strong. Two years ago, it was an atrocity. This year he stabilized it, and it was just slightly below average. Decline
Again he had wrist problems and shoulder problems mid season after colliding into Verdugo and has since bounced back now that he is healthy. Also...not every player on the roster needs to be...aiming for the fence? I know, I know I'm one of those weirdos who thinks baseball doesn't have to be three true outcomes, but Bogaerts is a great contact hitter and he has shown that recently since he's recovered from his injuries that he is a good contact hitter and has finally started to drive in runs. You know...what other great solid contact hitters have always done in the past like Jeter and Ichiro? Also...I have to laugh about the defense part because Bogaerts defense may not be "elite" but is a lot better than people want to give him credit for. Now if you want someone who swings from his ass and gets x amount of dingers a year while hitting at the Mendoza line because that's what's fashionable, then fine. Me? I like five tool ball players and that's what Xander Bogaerts is and it would be a mistake to not pay him for his service to this team and the kind of top 5 shortstop that he is. It would also, mind you, send the wrong message to Devers and every other player in the locker room and further alienate them from management, which Bloom can't afford if he values his job. In fact I could forsee the Red Sox, should Bloom botch this and make Bogaerts as well as Devers leave, throw away next season on purpose just so that Bloom gets fired.