As Jeff Passan of ESPN reported, shortstop Xander Bogaerts has signed a massive contract with the San Diego Padres. The Padres land themselves an infielder just days after losing out on the Trea Turner sweepstakes.
Shortstop Xander Bogaerts and the San Diego Padres are in agreement on an 11-year, $280 million contract, a source familiar with the deal tells ESPN. A monster contract and the Padres, after missing Trea Turner and Aaron Judge, get the longtime Red Sox shortstop.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 8, 2022
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Bogaerts, 30, is coming off a season that saw him play 150 games with the Boston Red Sox. In 2022, he hit .307/.377/.456 with an OPS of .833. Offensively, he had 171 hits which ranked eighth in the American League. Other categories in which he finished in the top 10 offensively include average, singles, and offensive WAR. Bogaerts earned his fourth All-Star game appearance and fifth Silver Slugger this past season with the Boston Red Sox. He was one of the more sought-free agents this off-season. Signing with San Diego instantly gives them a deeper lineup.
Xander Bogaerts Career
Bogaerts is a native of Aruba and signed with Boston in 2009 as a 17-year-old out of high school. After four seasons in the minors, he made his debut with Boston on August 20, 2013, at just 20 years old. He joined the Red Sox for their playoff run and helped win the 2013 World Series. In ten seasons with the Red Sox, he became a five-time Silver Slugger, four-time All-Star, and finished twice in the top 10 of MVP voting.
What Bogaerts can provide for the Padres is someone who can hit consistently, is defensively sound, and plays 150 games a season. With Boston, he played in the third or fourth spot in the lineup for his ability to get hits. As a shortstop, Bogaerts finished in the top five for double plays turned (78), putouts (170), and fielding percentage (.983). Additionally, Bogaerts led the American League in total zone runs as a shortstop (14). Furthermore, he has been able to remain healthy. In nine full seasons, he only missed more than 18 games just once.
Now entering the prime of his career, he has the opportunity to show the Padres fans that he is worth the money. As a team that had an underwhelming season last year, Bogaerts can become the face of the franchise. Hopefully, leading this team back into the playoffs. After ten seasons in the AL East, the transition may be hard, but it allows him the opportunity to play for a team on the rise. His signing of a long-term deal should put _ fans at ease, and maybe consider purchasing his jersey as he will be a member of the Padres for years to come.
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