Padres supervisor Mike Shildt advised members of the media on Friday that Xander Bogaerts will probably be shifting from shortstop to second base, with Dennis Lin of The Athletic amongst these to relay the information. Ha-Seong Kim will cross the bag within the different route to take over the shortstop place.
It was just a bit over a 12 months in the past that the Padres signed Bogaerts to an 11-year, $280M contract. On the time, it was a little bit of a puzzling match on the membership’s roster. Fernando Tatis Jr. was imagined to be the franchise shortstop as soon as upon a time. In February of 2021, he and the Friars agreed to a historic 14-year, $340M extension to maintain him on the membership for the majority of his profession. He ended up lacking the 2022 season each because of accidents and a PED suspension, however he was anticipated again early in 2023. Whereas he was out, Kim offered glorious glovework on the place.
Going into 2023, there was a little bit of uncertainty. Tatis was coming off a completely missed season and the membership was excited about shifting him to the outfield. However even in that state of affairs, they nonetheless had Kim to cowl brief. It wasn’t actually anticipated that they’d head into the offseason searching for a mega deal however they landed Bogaerts nonetheless.
Bogaerts’ first 12 months in San Diego resulted in pretty typical offensive manufacturing for him. He hit 19 dwelling runs and slashed .285/.350/.440 for a wRC+ of 120. Defensively, Outs Above Common gave him a optimistic grade of +3 however Defensive Runs Saved had him at -4. He has lengthy been thought-about a candidate to maneuver off of shortstop, at the same time as a prospect, and it appears the time has now come. For his profession, his tallies at brief are -31 OAA and -54 DRS.
Within the brief time period, the transfer might be finest for the 2024 model of the Padres, as Kim is great with the glove. He has performed 1,505 1/3 innings at brief within the majors, simply over a full season’s price. In that point, he’s tallied 22 DRS and seven OAA. Having him at brief and Bogaerts at second ought to give the membership an incredible center infield, as even mediocre shortstops typically present strong protection on the opposite aspect of the bag.
However taking the vast view, the decision-making from the Padres turns into questionable. Twice now in recent times, they’ve given round $300M to a shortstop on a deal longer than a decade, and now neither will probably be taking part in brief. Tatis, who has now been moved to proper discipline, is below contract by way of 2034 and Bogaerts by way of 2033. Kim is ready to turn out to be a free agent after 2024, as his deal has a mutual choice for 2025 and people provisions are nearly by no means triggered by each events.
Assuming Kim reaches free company a 12 months from now, the membership will then be searching for an answer at brief for 2025 and past. They might all the time transfer Bogaerts once more however he’ll be 32 years outdated by then and his talents at that place will solely be trending downward with age. One of many membership’s high prospects, Jackson Merrill, is a shortstop who reached Double-A final 12 months. He might maybe be an answer at that spot down the highway however he’s reportedly coming into camp as an outfielder, with the membership attempting to get inventive in overlaying the spots vacated by buying and selling Juan Soto and Trent Grisham. He might transfer again to brief in 2025 however that is likely to be a bit tough if he spends this 12 months within the outfield with the large league membership as a substitute of getting reps in Triple-A.
The Soto/Grisham deal was mandatory as a result of the membership is paring again spending this winter. That’s partially a results of their TV take care of Diamond Sports activities Group falling aside but additionally related to their excessive aggression in recent times, which incorporates giving a large deal to a shortstop they didn’t actually need.
