(Audacy) In 10 seasons with the Boston Red Sox, shortstop Xander Bogaerts has slashed .292/.356/.458 with an .814 OPS while accumulating a 34.2 WAR, which is 17th among all position players in the history of the illustrious franchise, according to FanGraphs.
For the first time in his career, Bogaerts is now a free agent, as part of a star-studded shortstop class that also still includes Carlos Correa and Dansby Swanson on the open market. Trea Turner was another star shortstop available in this class before agreeing to an 11-year, $300-million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies earlier Monday.
Bogaerts is a five-time Silver Slugger whose offensive prowess speaks for itself, and he's also coming off of the best defensive season of his career. In his age-29 season, Bogaerts was a Gold Glove Award finalist, posting career-highs in defensive runs saved (four) and outs above average (five). Those numbers were a stark contrast to his career marks in both metrics, as he has -51 defensive runs saved and -34 outs above average in his career, which caused some to wonder if he'd be better suited to play third base in the not-so-distant future.
For the time being though, Bogaerts will remain at shortstop. We've projected that he'll land a seven-year, $203-million deal this offseason. Here are five potential teams that could reward Bogaerts with such a pact.
Boston Red Sox
Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesWe're putting the Red Sox on the list because Bogaerts is still in his prime and has a chance to go down as one of the best players in the franchise's illustrious history. But the the Red Sox "have not made a competitive offer" to Bogaerts, the Boston Globe reported recently. So it appears to be trending toward Bogaerts departing Boston after a decade.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty ImagesNow that Turner has departed in free agency, the Dodgers have a need at shortstop. The question is whether the Dodgers -- who we're constantly reminded prefer shorter deals -- will extend enough to secure Bogaerts' services. They did last winter when star first baseman Freddie Freeman lingered on the open market.
Chicago Cubs
Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesWe've predicted that the Cubs will sign Correa, who's a couple years younger than Bogaerts and doesn't have a qualifying offer attached to him. But our projected price for Correa is close to $300 million over nine years, as opposed to seven years and $203 million for Bogaerts. The Cubs have interest in Bogaerts, and if Correa's price proves to be too high, they could have a nice option to fall back on.
San Francisco Giants
Joe Sargent/Getty ImagesThe No. 1 target on the Giants' wish list this offseason is reigning American League MVP Aaron Judge. But if the Yankees re-sign Judge, the Giants still will need to add an impact player as they play catch-up in terms of star power in the NL West. The Giants do have an all-time great defensive shortstop in Brandon Crawford, who's under contract for one more season in San Francisco. Crawford's presence, though, could give the Giants an excuse to play Bogaerts regularly at second and/or third base. Perhaps all parties will realize he's a better fit at a position other than shortstop if he spends a year largely playing elsewhere.
San Diego Padres
Kathryn Riley/Getty ImagesOnce upon a time, Manny Machado was adamant that when he signed his major contract, it would be to play shortstop. And then the Padres gave him $300 million to play third base. A few years later, the always active Padres have reportedly inquired about whether Bogaerts would be willing to move around the infield for the Padres, who have multiple other shortstop options in Fernando Tatis Jr. (who may be an outfielder moving forward) and the slick-fielding Ha-Seong Kim. That may mean Bogaerts playing on the right side of the infield in 2023 before serving as insurance at third base if Machado opts out of his 10-year deal and departs in free agency next winter. Agent Scott Boras, who represents Bogaerts, balked at such a suggestion when speaking to Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic. But if the Padres are willing to pay Bogaerts shortstop money to play elsewhere, perhaps he'll warm up to the idea.
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