Bogaerts teases potential opt-out: 'Guys are getting what they deserve'

Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts can opt out of his contract following the 2022 season, and the two-time All-Star seems to be leaning toward doing so.

"At that time when I signed, I knew I had some good years, but they weren't as good as they have been these last couple of years," Bogaerts recently said, according to Rob Bradford of WEEI. "I knew I was a good player, but I've taken it to another level since then."

Bogaerts signed a six-year, $120-million deal with Boston early in the 2019 campaign that kicked in for the 2020 season. By the end of 2022, he'll be through three seasons of the deal and owed $60 million over the next three if he doesn't use his opt-out clause.

But the 28-year-old has elevated his game since inking that extension, hitting .310/.379/.542 with 55 homers and 16 stolen bases through 270 games over the past three seasons. Bogaerts is the top-ranked shortstop by FanGraphs WAR in that span.

"Obviously, I know I love the city, but you know how all those guys are getting paid and stuff like that," the three-time Silver Slugger winner said. "So when that time comes, we'll see what happens. It's very interesting. A lot of guys are getting what they deserve. We'll see what happens."

Since Bogaerts signed his extension, former Red Sox teammate Mookie Betts has inked a record 12-year, $365-million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Fellow shortstop Francisco Lindor also landed a 10-year, $341-million deal with the New York Mets, and the San Diego Padres and Fernando Tatis Jr. agreed to a 14-year, $340-million extension.

Corey Seager, Carlos Correa, Trevor Story, Marcus Semien, and Javier Baez are among the shortstops eligible to hit free agency this winter.