Count Jonathan Papelbon among those who think the Red Sox should re-sign Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers.
In an interview on my “Sports Media Mayhem” podcast, the ex-Red Sox closer said Bogaerts’ and Devers’ value goes beyond their excellent on-field production. They also lead in the clubhouse.
There isn’t a single mathematical formula that can make up for that.
“If the Red Sox want to create something for a long-term ability to compete year-in and year-out, they will keep both of them,” Papelbon said. “But I think the problem with the Red Sox front office, and many front offices is, they think they can outsmart the system, and we can go find somebody else who can replace them. But here’s what you don’t know, man: You can’t replace clubhouse guys, and you can’t replace the guys who bring it every day, and make sure the rest of the guys bring it every day. In my opinion, Bogaerts and Devers, those are the two guys in that clubhouse that do that.”
Papelbon is echoing what David Ortiz said last week about Bogaerts and Devers, telling WEEI’s Rob Bradford they’re proven winners and know how to play in Boston. Those are intangible skills that can’t be easily duplicated.
As an example, Papelbon pointed to the impact of Dustin Pedroia and Jason Varitek on the Red Sox when he played. “It would be like us not having a Varitek and a Pedroia,” said Papelbon. “To say, ‘Hey, look guys, I’m going to go out there and bring it every day, and if you don’t, I’m going to be sitting in that locker room, asking why you didn’t as soon as the game’s over.’ If you don’t have those guys, you won’t succeed, period.”
With that in mind, Papelbon says he thinks the Red Sox will ultimately re-sign their two homegrown stars.
“If the Red Sox are smart, they’ll keep them. I’m going to say they’ll do everything they can to keep them,” he said. “But it might be up to them about whether they want to stay. But I do think the Red Sox will do everything it takes to keep them.”
So far, the Red Sox appear to be falling short of that. This week, Devers confirmed they offered him an extension comparable to Braves first baseman Matt Olson’s eight-year, $168 million deal — far off the roughly $300 million that Devers could seemingly command on the open market. In Spring Training, they reportedly offered Bogaerts just one additional year on top of his existing deal.
As Papelbon said, those are the moves of a front office that thinks it can outsmart everybody.
