‘An example to follow’: Current and former Red Sox react to Bogaerts departure

The man who was, as of yesterday, the longest-tenured Red Sox, will be playing baseball on the West Coast next season. Several current and former Red Sox took the time to sound off on Xander Bogaerts’ blockbuster 11-year, $280 million deal to join the San Deigo Padres Thursday.

Rafael Devers posted an Instagram story early Thursday morning, wishing one of his close friends and former partner on the left side of the infield well.

“Thank you for teaching me many things. I will always admire you as a person and as a baseball player. You are an example to follow,” said Devers’ message, translated to English.

Like Bogaerts, Dever made his Red Sox debut at 20 years old and is set for a huge payday next winter.

Three hours after posting a photo with Bogaerts set to Player’s “Baby Come Back”, Kiké Hernandez summed up Red Sox Nation’s reaction to the news, simply posting a frowny face to his Instagram stories.

Fred Lynn, who won the 1975 American League MVP as a member of the Red Sox, was already foreseeing a massive hole on the roster and evoked the memory of Boston’s other recent superstar departure.

The Red Sox have been criticized for dragging their feet during the Bogaerts negotiations. Boston made a reported four-year, $90 million extension offer to the shortstop this past spring. When asked prior to Opening Day, if he would consider signing an extension, Bogaerts gave a simple “Nah.” Last night, the Red Sox’s reported final $160 million offer came in $120 million shall of Bogaert’s ultimate payday.

Despite the departure, there is one former Fenway staple that appears overjoyed to have Bogaerts in Southern California.

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