David Ortiz: 'It Would Be Stupid' for Red Sox to Let Xander Bogaerts Leave as FA

The Boston Red Sox were unable to work out a contract extension for Xander Bogaerts before the start of the 2020 season, so he can opt out of his contract after the season.

With it being possible that Boston will let the star infielder walk in free agency, David Ortiz chimed in on the star's contract situation with the team.

It would be stupid to let a guy like that go, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive. On and off the field, he will represent this organization. That conversation needs to happen at any time.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post was told by a friend of the 29-year-old that he was going to leave after the 2022 season.

According to reports, the Red Sox would have paid him $30 million in 2026 if he had signed a one-year extension before the season began. The deal was called a slap in the face by another friend.

When he becomes a free agent, he will be looking for a deal that pays him the same as Carlos Correa, Francisco Lindor andCorey Seager. The three players make more than $30 million a year.

He has played well and deserves a contract like that. He is batting.325 with four home runs and 17 runs scored in 40 games.

Boston has won two World Series titles with the help ofaerts. He has been named to the All-Star Game three times in his career, and has won four Silver Slugger awards.

It's not hard to see why the Red Sox wouldn't pay him like some of the other elite players in the league. They signed a former Colorado Rockies infielder to a six-year, $140 million deal before the start of the 2020 season, and he could easily fill in for another player if he were to leave in free agency.

Story played the position in Colorado and is currently playing second base.

Money could be tight heading into the 2023 campaign if the Red Sox don't give third baseman Rafael Devers a long-term contract and add some pitching depth.