The San Diego Padres and free agent shortstop Xander Bogaerts have agreed to an 11-year, $280 million contract, major league sources have confirmed. Athleticism. MLB Network’s Jon Heyman was the first to report the news. Here’s what you need to know:
- Bogaerts cut .307/.377/.456 with 73 RBIs and 15 homers in 150 games last season.
- It ranked #5 on AthleticismKeith Law’s list of the best free agents of 2022-23.
- Bogaerts opted out of the last three years and $60 million of his contract with the Red Sox on Nov. 7 to become a free agent.
Screening report
With the signing, Bogaerts is expected to continue playing shortstop while Ha-Seong Kim plays second base, Jake Croneworth plays first base and Fernando Tatis Jr. moves to the outfield.
Bogaerts is coming off a year of platforming a bit different from his standards, as he failed to hit 20 homers for the first time in a full season since 2017, but played his best defense on stoppage- short. Bogaerts, who turned 30 on Oct. 1, had his best defensive season by advanced metrics — it was only his second year with a positive Outs Above Average number, at plus-5.
The increase in his defensive production compensates for the loss of his hard touch, but the likely trend for all players in their thirties is that defensive value decreases and they move down the defensive spectrum.
Immediate Padre Motivation
The Padres considered Bogaerts the best hitter among the Big 4 shortstops in that class of free agent. Trea Turner, as evidenced by an unsuccessful $342 million bid, was their top priority. Next, San Diego had a scintillating but brief flirtation with Aaron Judge.
After going 0 for 2 on superstar targets, general manager AJ Preller wouldn’t be denied a third time. By accepting a surprisingly hefty commitment to Bogaerts, the Padres far outbid the competition. The Boston Globe reported that the Red Sox’s offer for their longtime shortstop was less than $200 million. -Linen
Other impending factors for San Diego
At this point, no draw seems too weird for the Padres. But their unmistakable desire to make a splash was driven, in part, by future considerations. In light of recent nine-figure contracts, Manny Machado seems increasingly likely to retire after the 2023 season and possibly pursue another $300 million salary.
The Padres realize extending Juan Soto, the sport’s most accomplished 24-year-old hitter, could be a long stretch. For at least one season, San Diego should benefit from one of the most powerful offensive quartets in baseball: Soto, Machado, Bogaerts and Fernando Tatis Jr. -Linen
Would that have made sense for the Red Sox?
Bogaerts was the heart and soul of the Red Sox in many ways, but at one point that deal didn’t make sense for the Red Sox, not so much the $280 million, but the 11-year term. While earlier today the Red Sox were clearly optimistic that they were working on a deal, chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said with foresight when asked about a timeline for working on a deal. agreement with Bogaerts: “I don’t know. It wouldn’t be for me to say, but I think the game teaches you, you shouldn’t speculate too much on these things.
Earlier in the week, the Red Sox narrowly missed out on free agent offers for Zach Eflin, Andrew Heaney and Tommy Kanhle, but that’s taken to a whole new level. After a productive day with deals in place or pending for Chris Martin, Kenley Jansen and Masataka Yoshida, ending meetings in this manner brings the club closer to square one. –Jennings
What’s next for Boston
The Red Sox now have several questions to answer, primarily, where do they go from here? Who will they pursue in the short term? Dansby Swanson or Carlos Correa in free agency? A market? Or will they move Kiké Hernandez or Trevor Story to shortstop and fill an outfield or second base hole instead? How do they fill the Bogaerts hole in the middle of the lineup? – Jennings
Required reading
(Photo: Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
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