
Image Credit: CBS Sports
The last week in MLB was about a shortstop in the American League thinking about an opt-out clause, a second baseman is placed on the injured list, and a starting pitcher has a groin injury.
Boston Red Sox Shortstop Xander Bogaerts Thinking About Opt-Out Clause
Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts has an opt-out clause in his contract that can be exercised after the 2022 season and is thinking about it.
Bogaerts recently said, “I knew I was a good player, but I’ve taken it to another level since then,” per Rob Bradford of WEEI.
"Obviously, I know love the city, but you know how all those guys are getting paid and stuff like that. 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." – Xander Bogaerts https://t.co/EbIPuGBM1r
— Rob Bradford (@bradfo) June 10, 2021
The infielder signed a six-year, $120-million contract with the Red Sox during the 2019 season that took effect in the 2020 campaign.
At the end of the 2022 season, he will be through three seasons of the contract and will make $60 million over the next three years if he does not utilize the opt-out clause.
Bogaerts has developed into one of the better shortstops in the American League and was selected as an All-Star in 2019, the same year he signed the contract.
He posted a .309 batting average and .939 OPS with 33 home runs, 117 RBIs, and 140 OPS+ in 155 games that year.
He compiled a .300 average and .867 OPS with 11 home runs, 28 RBIs, and 131 OPS+ in 56 games in 2020.
Bogaerts is off to a fantastic start in 2021, as indicated by a .324 average and .929 OPS with 11 home runs and 38 RBIs in 60 games.
If he stays healthy and continues to produce for the rest of the 2021 and 2022 MLB seasons, it would be logical to opt-out and ink a massive deal in free agency.
Chicago White Sox Place Second Baseman Nick Madrigal on Injured List with Torn Hamstring
The Chicago White Sox have placed second Nick Madrigal on the 60-day injured list with a right hamstring tear and purchased the contract of outfielder Brian Goodwin from Class AAA Charlotte to take Madrigal’s spot on the active roster, per a team announcement.
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) June 10, 2021
Madrigal suffered the injury during a game last week against the Toronto Blue Jays trying to beat out a ground ball and required help by trainers to get off the field.
The loss of Madrigal is enormous for the White Sox as he was having a solid MLB season at the plate.
He posted a .305 batting average and .774 OPS in 54 games with 61 hits, 10 doubles, two home runs, 21 RBIs, 118 OPS+, and led the American League with four triples.
The team is also without talented players Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert as they are dealing with injuries.
Cincinnati Reds Place Starting Pitcher Sonny Gray on Injured List with Groin Strain
The Cincinnati Reds placed starting pitcher Sonny Gray on the injured list last week with a right groin strain, per a team announcement.
The #Reds today placed on the 10-day injured list RHP Sonny Gray (right groin strain) and recalled from Triple-A Louisville RHP Art Warren. pic.twitter.com/2XAj4BmT2E
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) June 9, 2021
Gray had an MRI after leaving his previous outing with groin tightness.
The loss of Gray for the Reds’ starting rotation is significant as he has thrown the ball exceptionally well in 2021.
The right-hander has posted a 3.42 ERA in 50 innings pitched (10 starts) with 65 strikeouts, 20 walks issued, eight home runs yielded, a 3.95 FIP, and 134 ERA+.
The Reds should take a cautious approach with the groin injury to Gray.
It is the type of injury that can linger on if it is not treated correctly.
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- Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.
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