Bogaerts still likes Red Sox, hopes 'to meet them in the World Series'

San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts harbors no ill will toward the Boston Red Sox and hopes one of his next appointments against his former team is battling for a championship.

"I know some people who end their relationship with their previous team on a bad note. I have no bad feelings towards anyone, especially not the players, the coaching staff. They were great," Bogaerts said of the Red Sox, according to Christopher Smith of Masslive. "Obviously, some front office members also were pretty cool. … Hopefully, we meet them in the World Series."

Bogaerts spent the first 10 years of his career with the Red Sox before leaving this past winter for the Padres on an 11-year, $280-million contract. Bogaerts is a four-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger, and he helped lead Boston to championships in 2013 as a rookie and in 2018.

"Especially if it's an off day, I have nothing to do, I'll watch the games," Bogaerts said. "Also, they play before us, which makes it sometimes even better that I'll be able to watch them before and then get ready for my game."

Reports this past winter suggested Bogaerts' camp took offense to Boston's efforts to re-sign him.

The 30-year-old is enjoying some early success with the Friars, entering Saturday's contests hitting .333/.400/.733 with three homers and eight RBIs.

In the first year of MLB's balanced schedule, the Padres are set to host the Red Sox for a three-game series beginning May 19 in what will be their only meeting of the 2023 campaign.