What’s next for Padres after Bogaerts deal?
This story was excerpted from AJ Cassavell’s Padres Beat e-newsletter. To learn the complete e-newsletter, click on right here. And subscribe to get it commonly in your inbox.
On Friday, Xander Bogaerts finalized his 11-year cope with the Padres, a contract with no opt-outs and a no-trade clause that can preserve him in San Diego by way of the 2033 season. To me, the aftermath of that deal is simply as fascinating because the contract itself.
Bogaerts is an impressive participant, a .292/.356/.458 profession hitter by way of 10 large league seasons. By all accounts, he’s additionally an impressive clubhouse presence, and his arrival has been met with loads of pleasure from his new teammates.
That stated, Bogaerts’ arrival creates a couple of riddles for the Padres — each positionally and concerning how they’ll strategy the rest of their offseason. Here’s a have a look at what’s subsequent after the Bogaerts deal:
1. Fernando Tatis Jr. is certain for a place change
This is probably the most notable aspect impact for the Padres. Twenty-two months in the past, they signed Tatis to a record-setting 14-year extension, envisioning he’d be their shortstop of the longer term. San Diego now has a brand new shortstop of the longer term. And, positive, Bogaerts is already 30 and can seemingly shift from quick sooner or later throughout his contract, but it surely’s not arduous to see the writing on the wall for Tatis.
The Padres even have fairly a deep infield exterior of Bogaerts. Tatis, in the meantime, is an elite athlete with unbelievable quick-burst pace. Sure feels like he’d have the make-up to be a wonderful outfielder, have been he to focus his efforts there.
“He could play anywhere,” stated Padres supervisor Bob Melvin. “I mean, I’m not going to put him behind the plate. But he could play anywhere, in probably any sport. He’s as athletic and talented a guy as there is in the game. He’s the type of guy that’s going to fill any hole he’s potentially needed in.”
2. The infield combine is destined for a shakeup
On paper, that shakeup is easy sufficient. Ha-Seong Kim has been excellent at quick, however these expertise translate on to second base. Jake Cronenworth has already confirmed he’s able to dealing with nearly any spot within the infield, together with first base. So it’s simple to examine an alignment with Manny Machado, Bogaerts, Kim and Cronenworth from left to proper.
I’m undecided it’ll be that easy. San Diego stays searching for a primary baseman, and I don’t assume the membership intends for that first baseman to merely function the designated hitter each evening. If the Padres might land a good sufficient defender at first, they’d have some flexibility within the infield. First and foremost, it’d give Melvin an opportunity to commonly rotate by way of the DH spot. It’d additionally enable San Diego to account for the absolute best matchups, maybe sitting Kim every so often in opposition to powerful right-handers.
3. The Padres nonetheless want a bat — in all probability two
One by way of 4, San Diego has the very best lineup in baseball. Five by way of 9? There’s work to do.
The means I see it, San Diego might use a minimum of two extra bats — and since they’re already stable up the center, it’s actually not necessary what place these bats play. Still, there’s a minimum of one beginning spot accessible at designated hitter. On high of that, the Padres might use one other outfielder, maybe a platoon with Trent Grisham. (If Tatis have been able to sliding between middle and a nook, that platoon companion wouldn’t have to play middle.)
Remember, Tatis received’t be accessible for the primary 20 video games of the season, and accidents have plagued him all through his profession. Grisham, in the meantime, struggled mightily on the plate final yr. The Padres can be well-served to accumulate depth, particularly contemplating the state of their bench within the playoffs final yr.
