San Diego Padres and free-agent shortstop Xander Bogaerts have agreed to an 11-year, $280 million deal, major league sources confirm AthleticThe news was first reported by MLB Network’s Jon Heyman. Here’s what you need to know:
- Bogaerts hit .307/.377/.456 with 73 RBIs and 15 home runs in 150 games last season.
- he ranks fifth AthleticKeith Law’s list of the top free agents for 2022-23.
- On November 7, Bogatz opted out of the final three years of his $60 million contract with the Red Sox and became a free agent.
scouting report
After signing, Bogartz is expected to continue playing shortstop, while Kim Xiacheng hits second base, Jake Kronevos hits first base and Fernando Tatis Jr. moves to the outfield.
Bogaerts is coming off a somewhat different platform year than his norm, as he failed to hit 20 home runs in a full season for the first time since 2017 but hit his best ever at shortstop defense. Bogaerts, who turns 30 on Oct. 1, has had his best defensive season by advanced metrics — it’s only his second year of positive above-average numbers, +5.
His improved defensive ability more than offsets his loss in hard contact, but the likely trend for all players in their 30s is a decline in defensive value, and their defensive range declines.
Immediate Motives of the Priests
The Padres consider Bogaerts the best hitter among the Big Four shortstops in this free agency class. Trea Turner, as the failed $342 million bid proved, was their top priority. Santiago then engages in a sparkling but brief flirtation with Aaron Judge.
General manager AJ Preller won’t be denied a third time after going 0-2 on superstar goals. After agreeing to an unexpectedly large commitment to Bogaerts, the Padres outbid rivals by far. The Boston Globe reported that the Red Sox offered less than $200 million for their longtime shortstop. – Forest
Other looming factors in San Diego
At this point, the lottery doesn’t seem like a surprise for the Padres. But their explicit desire to make a splash is partly motivated by a future in mind. Given the recent nine-figure contract, it seems increasingly likely that Manny Machado will opt out after the 2023 season and may pursue another $300 million payday.
The Padres realized that extending the most accomplished 24-year-old hitter in the sport, Juan Soto, could be a long shot. For at least one season, San Diego should benefit from one of the most powerful offensive quartets in baseball: Soto, Machado, Bogartz and Fernando Tatis Jr. – Forest
Does this make sense for the Red Sox?
Bogartz is the heart and soul of the Red Sox in so many ways, but in a way this deal doesn’t make sense for the Red Sox, not so much for $280 million but for an 11-year tenure. While the Red Sox expressed apparent optimism earlier in the day that they were working toward a deal, Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom presciently said, when asked about a timeline for a Bogaerts deal, “I don’t know. That’s not what I’m going to say place, but I think the game teaches you that you shouldn’t take too much guesswork about these things.”
The Red Sox narrowly missed out on the free-agent deals of Zach Eflin, Andrew Heaney and Tommy Canler earlier this week, but it’s taken to a whole new level. After a productive day with deals or pending deals for Chris Martin, Kenley Jansen and Masataka Yoshida, closing out the meeting in this manner moves the club closer to the first stage. — Jennings
what’s next for boston
The Red Sox now have a few questions to answer, primarily what do they do from here? In short, who will they pursue? Dansby Swanson or Carlos Correa in free agency? trade? Or will they move Kiké Hernandez or Trevor Story to shortstop and fill outfield or the hole at second base? How do they fill Bogaerts’ void in the middle of the lineup? – jennings
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(Photo: Winslow Townsend/Getty Images)
