FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Xander Bogaerts can see what everyone else sees -- a stagnant free agent market in which two of the game's best players can't attract offers despite being in the prime of his careers.
''That's weird,'' said Bogaerts of both Bryce Harper and Manny Machado still being unsigned with teams in camp. "I don't know what the reason is, but it's weird. Those are some big names, man. They're two of the main free agents out there and they were expected to get all this money and everything like that. They're still out there and you don't understand. It's a bit (puzzling) that those two big guys don't have teams yet.
But Bogaerts, who can reach free agency at the end of this season, isn't about to panic about his own future. Not yet anyway.
"You obviously have to think about it,'' he said. "We all want to do well and take care of our families in the future. But next winter, teams can go out and overpay for everyone. I don't know why it's like this.''
Bogaerts was approached by the Red Sox during the offseason about a contract extension but the talks went nowhere. He said yesterday that the two sides have not spoken since then.
"The Red Sox have treated me well throughout my career,'' said Bogaerts. "It's a place that anyone and everyone would want to play or stay. Boston is an amazing city. All the teams, all they do is win. It would be weird (to leave) because this is the only uniform I've known.''
When Alex Cora was reminded that the Sox don't have a shortstop capable of replacing Bogaerts in 2020, the manager rolled his eyes.
"It's day three, bro,'' he said. "I'm not even thinking about that.''
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