The Boston Red Sox are well acquainted with curses, but what about prophecies?
Former Boston great Pedro Martinez recently warned that there would be a culture change if the “Olde Towne Team” is unable to re-sign shortstop Xander Bogaerts and eventually extend third baseman Rafael Devers — especially with slugger J.D. Martinez expected to leave the team this winter.
“If Xander opts out and leaves the team and J.D. leaves the team, I think Devers is most likely going to head the same way. Those guys are going to go. They’re not going to have the essence of the franchise that we left,” Martinez told the Boston Globe. “The culture that we left is going to be lost. And we don’t know when we’re going to get it back and how we’re going to get it back.”
Martinez explained that Devers and Bogaerts leaving changes “the essence of the team.” More specifically, he emphasized the culture that was created by players like himself and David Ortiz.
Bogaerts was in the race for this season’s American League batting title, finishing with a .307 average, good enough for the AL’s third best mark. Devers has owned a .884 OPS since 2019 and boasted baseball’s 10th best SLG% in 2022.
Pedro Martinez doesn’t want to see the Red Sox’ crop of young stars to walk away from the franchise. Boston Red Sox/Getty Images
The Red Sox should be worried that Rafael Devers and Xander Bogaerts will bolt for free agency, Pedro Martinez said. Getty ImagesThe Red Sox failed to reach the playoffs after going 78-84 in 2022, finishing in the AL East basement. It’s a stark change for a franchise that has won four World Series starting when Martinez, Ortiz and Co. broke the 86-year championship drought in 2004.
