According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the San Diego Padres and shortstop Xander Bogaerts have come to an agreement. Bogaerts will sign a $280 million, 11-year deal after choosing to forego the final three years and $60 million of his Red Sox contract at the end of the current season. Although the agreement's precise format hasn't been made public, MLB Network's Jon Morosi says that it does not include any opt-out clauses. However, it does have no-trade protection.
The eldest of the notable free agency shortstops this offseason, Bogaerts turned 30 in October (also Carlos Correa, Dansby Swanson, and Trea Turner, who earlier this week signed with the Philadelphia Phillies). He hit.307/.377/.456 in 2022, but his home run production dropped to 15 after averaging 29.7 per 162 games from 2018 to 21. The increase in defense prevented the drop in power. In 2022, Bogaerts had a high field rating. After Correa and Turner, Bogaerts was ranked by our R.J. Anderson as the fifth best free agent available this offseason and the third best shortstop.