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Former Red Sox Star Xander Bogaerts Faces Backlash Amid Struggles

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nelson Hubbell | Last updated Jun 19, 2025 11:30 AM ET

The Boston Red Sox may have dodged a bullet by not signing Xander Bogaerts to an extension after the 2022 season. The current San Diego Padres' shortstop now has fans calling for his demotion after a brutal start to this season.

San Diego signed Bogaerts to a deal worth $280 million over 11 years, and the contract has looked increasingly worse as time has gone on. He was expected to be continue as one of the best shortstops in the baseball, but his play has gradually declined in every major category since he joined the team.

Bogaerts has hit just .227 this season, with mediocre OPS of just .615 and a WAR of 0.3. It is by far the former Red Sox superstar's worst season since his first full year as an MLB starter.

One popular podcast of Padres fans posted this on X, "Losing words to describe Xander Bogaerts. Legit DFA candidate and he's got 8.5 years left," said Devine Sports Gospel.

Losing words to describe Xander Bogaerts.

Legit DFA candidate and he’s got 8.5 years left.
— Devine Sports Gospel (@DevineGospel) June 18, 2025

Plenty of other San Diego fans have also been getting on the bandwagon of frustration with Bogaerts, which has become a popular topic of late.

This is a fall from grace for Bogaerts, who played very well in his first year with the Padres back in 2023. That season he had a .285 batting average with 19 homers and a solid .790 OPS. It was arguably his worst season since 2017, but still a very good year for most hitters.

There was a drop-off last season, where Bogaerts slashed a .264 average, .307 on base percentage, and .381 slugging percentage.

The fall off since 2022 and even 2023 has become jarring, but there is still some hope in store for Padres fans. Bogaerts has walked 29 times to date and is on pace for this season to be his second most career walks, while he has struck out just 50 times across 71 games.

That means the 32-year-old is having a strong approach at the plate, even if the hits are not coming. It does not mean he will return to his 2022 form with the Red Sox, a .307 AVG with an .833 OPS, but there may still be hope for results closer to 2023 or 2024.

Bogaerts is now a possible trade candidate, but with a contract that big the Padres may just have to wait it out.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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