While we continue to bask in the afterglow of the ninth
World Series Championship for
The Carmine Hose, we all need a little wake-up call for 2019. In just about a year from now, as the defending World Champs end their 2019 season (which will hopefully yield a
10th ring), three key elements of the team could be headed out of town.
J.D. Martinez (opt-out),
Chris Sale and
Xander Bogaerts (both full free-agents) can flee Boston at the end of
next season. Ironically, the opt-out clause in J.D.'s contract was placed there by
Dave Dombrowski because of health-related issues (a sprained Lisfranc ligament in his right foot—which the team claims still exists as a concern). Bogie will almost
certainly test the free-agent waters—particularly after the market is
re-set by this year's soon-to-be mega-deals for
Manny Machado and
Bryce Harper. Of course, all this is complicated even
further by the fact that both J.D. and Bogey are represented by (wait for it)
Scott Boras. It's unclear whether Sale would be open to re-signing with Boston and
not test free-agency after next season—since he is
not represented by Boras. Also, at the end of the
2020 season, the biggest challenge arises—as
Mookie Betts hits free-agency (along with
Jackie Bradley, Jr.). Let's not even
think about that scenario right now!
