Since arriving in Boston, Kiké Hernandez has been a bigger than expected player for the Red Sox. He now plays in center field on a fairly regular basis and without him, it wouldn’t be the same.
Let’s say the Sox don’t regret the two-year, $14 million contract offered before the 2021 season.
In the next few months, he could become a free agent and Chaim Bloom has ensured that this will not be the case. Why? Because the outfielder signed a contract extension.
He will stay in Boston in 2023 for $10 million (which is a raise), according to Jeff Passan.
When he got injured this year, it hurt the Sox, who were losing an important piece of the puzzle. And even if he does not have such a good season as in 2021, Bloom is obviously betting that he will be able to bounce back.
It’s a good bet.
But obviously, signing Hernandez doesn’t have to be Bloom’s last signing. It has to be the start of something bigger.
Will Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers follow? That’s the 1000 dollar question.
Personally, I believe Bogaerts has one foot in the door and he won’t be coming back. But for Devers, who still has a year left in control in 2023, there is more hope.
Boston can’t afford to keep skipping stars.
- The future of MLB is healthy.
- Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout are on another planet.
- The Cardinals have been on fire since the deadline.