The signing of Xander Bogaerts with the San Diego Padres during the offseason caused a lot of ink to flow, in part because his arrival confirmed that Fernando Tatis Jr. would find himself in right field, as the former Boston Red Sox will play at shortstop for the 2023 campaign.
But the season that will begin on March 30 could well be the one and only that Bogaerts will spend at shortstop with the Californian formation.
It is that his teammate at third base, Manny Machado, will be able to take advantage of the exit option present in his contract at the end of the season. And he intends to do so.
Should he move elsewhere, Padres executives plan to ask Bogaerts to switch positions in 2024. Staff believe he can play in any infield position .
And the main interested party is already aware of this possibility, since the Padres have not promised him anything, in terms of defensive assignment, beyond 2023.
The second baseman, Ha-Seong Kim, could then occupy the number six position, while Tatis Jr. would return to the infield. The reverse is also possible.
For now, Bogaerts must focus on the present moment and that’s what his manager Bob Melvin says.
We signed him as a shortstop. That’s how it’s going right now. He is aware of the dynamic here too. With him right now, it’s all about this season. He’s getting ready to go out there and win games. It does not go further than this season.
A lot of water will flow under the bridges until then, but let’s just say there’s a lot of uncertainty hanging over the Padres for the future.
- Minor signing in Boston.
