2022-23 MLB free agency: Top 3 best fits for Xander Bogaerts
BOSTON (BVM) – The 2022 season didn’t live up to the expectations the Boston Red Sox had planned for, but Xander Bogaerts once again proved he is one of the elite players at the shortstop position. Following another all-star campaign, Bogaerts is set to cash in heading into his age 30 season.
The two-time World Series champion hit for a .307 batting average this past season, eclipsing the .300 mark for the fourth time in his career. With more questions than answers in Boston, a reunion still remains a possibility, but Bogaerts has set himself up in what will be a loaded shortstop market with players like Trea Turner, Dansby Swanson, and Carlos Correa also available.
Bogaerts’ bat will make him a highly-coveted asset on the free agent market, and with plenty of shortstop-needy teams, the Red Sox will likely have some competition.
Boston Red Sox
Returning back to the Red Sox might be the best option for Bogaerts, who shined alongside Trevor Story in his first year with the team. Although it wouldn’t surprise anyone to see Story slotted back into his former spot at shortstop, Bogaerts still offers one of the premier bats on the market. After a rumored low-ball offer this spring, it’s still yet to be determined how that rubbed the current free agent. With Rafeal Devers set to enter the final year of his contract, the Red Sox will have some decisions to make when it comes to their plan for the future. With a chance to re-sign both to long term contracts, Boston might just return to the field in 2023 with a similar infield.
Philadelphia Phillies
A reunion with former Red Sox general manager Dave Dombrowski wouldn’t surprise many after the Phillies declined to pick up Jean Segura’s option at the start of the offseason. If there’s anything we know about Dombrowski, it’s that he’s not afraid to spend in free agency. With big deals to Bryce Harper, Nick Castellanos, and Kyle Schwarber in recent seasons, Bogaerts might be the perfect addition to help push Philadelphia over the hump. Just two wins shy of the World Series, the Phillies are likely to be aggressive, and that could mean adding the 30-year-old shortstop.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs are expected to be major players during this year’s free agency after their first full year of revamping the team’s past World Series-winning roster. With a plethora of young talent to count on, Chicago will be looking for star power as they aim to add some pop to a lineup that found itself in the middle of the league in slugging. Although shortstop Nico Hoerner proved to be a consistent commodity after dealing with injuries over previous seasons, adding another player to the position likely won’t be hindered by the situation. With a chance to move Hoerner back up to second base, Bogaerts could perfectly fit the type of player the Cubs are currently missing as they look to return to the MLB postseason.
