Xander Bogaerts Reveals How He Knew 2022 Season Was His Last in Boston

His former franchise's direction was clear and it did not really involve him.

The San Diego Padres' opening series against the Colorado Rockies showed fans their first look at what they hope will a championship-caliber roster. Fernando Tatis Jr. is not back from suspension just yet and both Joe Musgrove and Yu Darvish have yet to take the mound so they aren't at full strength but we still learned a lot in these first four games.

However, one thing that I feel like all Friars fans are in agreement about is that Xander Bogaerts has been the clear cut leader of this squad thus far. He is currently slashing .429/.471/1.00 and has recorded six hits and two home runs in 14 plate appearances.

Xander Bogaerts really gonna go into the Hall of Fame with a Padres cap https://t.co/xfO0SJIfl6

— Barstool Baseball (@StoolBaseball) April 2, 2023

When he signed a $280 million with San Diego after an All-Star season with Boston Red Sox, their fans were devastated. He had made his mark as one of the best shortstops in baseball and would be departing to join a different contender that was building up its own star power.

However, Bogaerts revealed in an interview with MLB network that he didn't feel the same emotions when he chose to leave the organization that he had been with since getting drafted in 2013 when asked if it was hard to do so.

Xander Bogaerts talks decision to leave Red Sox and doesn’t sugar coat it pic.twitter.com/W4WGDlJgfQ

— Jake “Iggy” Ignaszewski (@JakeIggy) April 2, 2023

"It wasn't hard to be honest," said Bogaerts. "I kind of played last year with the understanding that this might be the last of my years with the Red Sox. Obviously with Spring Training and how the extension talks went down, I was kind of like 'Ok I see where they want to go' so I played that in my mind. It definitely wasn't an easy season for me individually, dealing with all that types of stuff but in the end it worked out perfectly and obviously San Diego can in aggressive and early so here I am." 

Indeed, it did work out perfectly. The Red Sox did reportedly lowball him in their negotiations and only offered him an extra year and $30 million added to the current contract he was on. 

Bogaerts was able to come up on his opportunity after the Padres failed to get Trea Turner to join them with their $300 million offer. However, it is look great so far as he had helped lead San Diego to two straight wins.