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Despite their long-term commitment to Fernando Tatis Jr., the San Diego Padres reportedly may be looking to add a star shortstop this offseason.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal names Xander Bogaerts for Padres in rejection of Boston Red Sox Players who can be targeted after qualifying offers. He also added that San Diego general manager AJ Preller “has his eye on” Los Angeles Dodgers free agent Trea Turner. The race against Turner, who is coming to the end of a strong 2022 campaign. He cut .298/.343/.466 with 21 home runs, 100 RBIs and 27 stolen bases for the Dodgers, who finished with the best record in the MLB at 111-51.
Rosenthal said Bogartz was “particularly meaningful to the Padres,” but offered to change the Possibility of 30-year-old player position. With San Diego needing a power bat to fill the first base/DH void, Bogaerts could be asked to move to first or second base in the short term. Rosenthal also mentioned that third base is also an option if Manny Machado opts out after the 2023 season. After the suspension ended on April 20, surgery and an 80-game suspension were no longer locks for the shortstop. Ha-Seong Kim has established himself as one of the top shortstops in all MLB defenses, which begs the question of where Tatis fits in once he returns to the field. He was suspended. Teams in left field and second base also have potential openings.
San Diego is wrapping up an amazing NLCS trip, so the team is definitely motivated to bring in more stars to make it again in 2023 into the playoffs.
