The San Diego Padres And free-agent shortstop Xander Bogaerts has agreed to an 11-year, $280 million contract, major league sources have confirmed. Athletic. MLB Network’s Jon Heyman first reported the news. Here’s what you need to know:
- Bogaerts slashed .307/.377/.456 with 73 RBIs and 15 home runs in 150 games last season.
- He finished 5th AthleticKeith Law’s Top Free Agents List for 2022-23
- Bogaerts opted out of the final three years and $60 million Red socks Signed on Nov. 7 to become a free agent.
Scouting report
With the signing, Bogarts is expected to continue playing shortstop Ha-Seong Kim Playing second base, Jake Cronworth is at first base and plays Fernando Tadis Jr Moves to the outfield.
Bogarts is coming off a platform year that’s a little different from his norm, having played his best defense at shortstop, failing to hit 20 homers for the first time in a full season since 2017. Bogerts, who turned 30 on Oct. 1, had his best defensive season by advanced metrics — his second straight year with positive above-average marks at plus-5.
The boost in his defensive production makes up for the loss of his hard contact, but it’s possible for all players under 30 that defensive value slips and they fall down the defensive spectrum.
Immediate motivation for the Padres
The Padres saw Bogaerts as the best hitter among the Big 4 shortstops in this free-agent class. Tree Turner, as evidenced by the failed $342 million bid, was their top priority. Later, San Diego had a thrilling but brief flirtation Aaron Judge.
After the superstar went 0-for-2 on targets, general manager A.J. Preller will not be denied a third term. In agreeing to a surprisingly large commitment to Bogaerts, the Padres outbid the competition. The Boston Globe reports that the Red Sox have offers for their longtime shortstop under $200 million. – Lynn
Other factors for San Diego
At this point, no sweepstakes seems too unusual for the Padres. But their irresistible desire to make a splash was driven, in part, by considerations of the future. In light of recent nine-figure deals, Manny Machado The option to opt out after the 2023 season increases and could continue to earn $300 million more.
Padres feel the expansion Juan Soto, the game’s most accomplished 24-year-old hitter, may be a long shot. For at least one season, San Diego should benefit from one of the most potent offensive quartets in baseball: Soto, Machado, Bogarts and Fernando Tadis Jr. – Lynn
Does Redhead understand this?
Bogaerts was the heart and soul of the Red Sox in many ways, but sometimes the deal just didn’t make sense to the Red Sox, not for $280 million, but for 11 years. Despite clear confidence from the Red Sox earlier in the day that they were working toward a deal, chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom, when asked about a timeframe for working toward a Bogaerts deal, said, “I don’t know. It’s not my place to say, but I think the game teaches you, You shouldn’t speculate too much on those things.
Earlier in the week, the Red Sox missed out on free agent signings Zach Eflin, Andrew Heaney and Tommy Kanhle, but this reaches a whole new level. After one production day for existing or pending deals Chris Martin, Kenley Johnson And Masataka Yoshida, ending meetings this way keeps the club closer to square one. – Jennings
What’s next for Boston?
The Red Sox now have several questions to answer, most importantly, what do they do from here? Who will they follow in the short term? Donsby Swanson or Carlos Correa in free agency? A business? Or will change Kike Hernandez Or Trevor’s story Need to fill an outfield or second base hole at shortstop instead? How do they fill Bogart’s hole in the middle of the lineup? – Jennings
Required reading
(Photo: Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
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