[ad_1]
xander bogaertsHis first visit to free agency saw him sign an 11-year, $280 million contract with the Padres that far exceeded expectations, even for a player who was expected to land one of the biggest deals of the offseason. Agent Scott Boras discussed some of the twists and turns of Bogaerts’ free agency trip with USA Today’s Bob Nightingale, and Boras identified Bogaerts as San Diego’s second choice. trea turner Rejected a reported $342 million offer from the Padres.
When Turner turned down the Padres’ offer to sign with the Phillies,We knew the Padres man was BogaertsBoras said. “They wanted that personality in that locker room, that leadership.What Boras didn’t say was the fact that the Padres were itching to land some big target. Aaron JudgeWith Judge and Turner off the board, the Padres hoped to be more aggressive in signing Bogaerts and ensure that at least one superstar name is included in offseason efforts. maybe.
The Red Sox reportedly made a last-ditch effort to sign Bogaerts just hours before he signed with San Diego, but Chime Bloom, the Sox’s chief baseball officer, later said that Bogaerts and the Red Sox had signed the contract. There have been mixed signals throughout the season from Boston owners and the front office about the franchise’s willingness to retain Bogaerts, and from Boras’ point of view, the Red Sox has never been a major bidder.
“It was really clear to us that there was segregation where Boston goes to Bogarts compared to where the market wasBoras said. “they probably made the decision to sign [Rafael] Devers, and intended to pay only one of them.We knew at the front that Bogey was somewhere but Boston”
Sure enough, the Red Sox actually ended up extending Devers, and Bogaerts landed in San Diego. As for Hunt’s other teams, teams like the Phillies, Diamondbacks, Orioles, Mariners, Dodgers, and Giants were all linked with Bogaerts at various points during the offseason. Boras, among other things, hinted that he had three teams (other than the Padres) split from the herd, stating:Minnesota, Cubs, Blue Jays, they were really chasing” Bogaerts service.
The Cubs and Twins are already known suitors for Bogaerts, with both clubs eyeing the high-end shortstop market and finally getting two of the top winter options for the position – Signed by Chicago. Dansby SwansonMinnesota (finally) reunited Carlos CorreaThe Twins’ interest in Bogaerts was framed as a back-up plan in case Correa signed elsewhere, but Bogaerts decided to sign with the Padres before Correa agreed to a first deal with the Giants. became. As for the Cubs, MLB.com’s Mark He Finesand wrote that the team considered the idea of signing both Bogaerts and Swanson.
Neither the Twins nor the Cubs were previously considered front-runners to sign Bogaerts, making for interesting “what if” material.But the Blue Jays’ involvement is perhaps the most interesting, Toronto has never had anything to do with Bogaerts or top shortstops before. Aggressive Jays regularly check most free agents as a matter of due diligence. Although known to be a team that does well, Toronto’s focus was known to be on the club’s greater needs in the outfield and rotation. Justin Verlander, Brandon NemoWhen Ancient Chiga One of many players associated with the Blue Jays Toronto has signed to date Chris Basit, Kevin KiermeierWhen brandon beltin the meantime Dalton Bajo When Eric Swanson Acquired in major deals with the Diamondbacks and Mariners respectively. Gabriel Moreno, Lourdes Gurriel Jr.When Teoscar Hernandez change uniform.
These moves have pushed the Jays’ salaries to franchise record highs and set the team poised to cross the luxury tax threshold for the first time. Even if apparently acquiring Bogaerts completely changed Toronto’s offseason scope, it didn’t align with the Blue Jays’ spending habits.
First and foremost, the Blue Jays already have a star shortstop Beau BichetteFresh into his 25-year-old season, he has two top 12 finishes in AL MVP voting, an All-Star contender and 9.6 fWAR in the 2021-22 season. (For comparison, Bogaerts had an fWAR of 10.4 in 2021-22.) But Bichette’s success at the plate was tempered by a rather dramatic defensive decline in 2022. Ironically, Bogaerts’ glovework has long been a subject of controversy, but by delivering the best defensive season of his career in 2022, he’s arguing against his viability as a shortstop. Allayed some doubts.
Had the Jays signed Bogaerts, they could have placed him at shortstop and moved Bichette to second base to use the current collection of second base options (i.e. Santiago Espinal, Cavern Visio, Whit Merrifield) purely as a depth option or as a trade tip.ever since Matt Chapman If he became a free agent after the 2023 season, the Blue Jays might have considered moving Bogaerts to third base and returning Bichette to shortstop at that point had Chapman not been retained. had taken up much or all of Toronto’s salary space, the Blue Jays might have thought of trading Bichette to accommodate other needs. For example, if the Jays didn’t have the money to sign a Basit-level starter, Bichette could have been bought to land a pre-rotation arm.
[ad_2]
Source link
