Xander Bogaerts

Free-agent shortstop Xander Bogaerts is reportedly in line for quite the payday this offseason.

According to ESPN's Buster Olney, some agents believe he will make between $180 and $200 million when he eventually signs with a team.

The report comes after the Philadelphia Phillies agreed to an 11-year, $300 million contract with shortstop Trea Turner on Monday, per ESPN's Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan. While that would mean more total money for Turner, it is also spread over the course of 11 seasons.

Bogaerts, 30, will likely sign a shorter-length deal with a higher or similar annual payday.

There is also a question regarding whether he will move to third base after he agrees to a deal with a team. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported the Chicago Cubs could sign Dansby Swanson and Bogaerts and then ask the latter to shift to third base.

Considering Chicago is coming off two straight losing seasons despite playing in a major market, it is surely looking to bolster its overall roster this offseason. This scenario would allow it to address multiple needs, shift Nico Hoerner to second base and then perhaps focus on adding a center fielder, catcher or starting pitcher.

As for Bogaerts, it comes as no surprise he will command such a notable contract.

His resume includes two World Series titles, four All-Star selections and five Silver Slugger Awards from his 10 years on the Boston Red Sox. He showed no signs of slowing last season while slashing .307/.377/.456 with 15 home runs and 73 RBI.

Last season marked the fifth straight in which he finished in the top 20 in American League MVP voting, underscoring his overall consistency ahead of free agency.

The shortstop market is one of the biggest focuses of the entire MLB offseason considering Turner, Bogaerts, Swanson and Carlos Correa were all available. Turner was the first domino to fall, and Bogaerts may be the next.

Free-agent shortstop Xander Bogaerts is being pursued by multiple teams hoping to pry him away from the Boston Red Sox, and a National League franchise is reportedly pulling ahead of the other suitors.

According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the Arizona Diamondbacks are considered to be "among the most serious" potential landing spots for the four-time All-Star. Morosi noted that Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen was a top executive with the Red Sox when Bogaerts made his MLB debut in 2013.

On Sunday, Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe reported that there are "eight to 11 teams with interest" in the 30-year-old shortstop, naming the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres. Abraham also stated that the Red Sox have not made a competitive offer to retain Bogaerts.

The Diamondbacks are looking for an upgrade after relying on Geraldo Perdomo, who did not make an offensive impact last season. Nick Ahmed played only 17 games because of a shoulder injury that required surgery. Arizona finished 74-88 and missed the playoffs for the fifth straight year.

The Phillies on Monday reportedly reached an agreement with Dodgers free-agent shortstop Trea Turner on an 11-year, $300 million deal, which all but rules them out on Bogaerts. The shortstop market has boomed recently, as Corey Seager's 10-year, $325 million deal with the Texas Rangers set the benchmark last offseason.

In addition to Bogaerts, there are multiple top-notch shortstops remaining on the open market, including Carlos Correa, Dansby Swanson and Jose Iglesias.

A two-time World Series champion, Bogaerts has been one of the faces of the Red Sox franchise for the last 10 years. He earned his fifth Silver Slugger Award last season after hitting .307/.377/.456 with 15 home runs and 73 RBI. He was also a finalist for a Gold Glove Award for the second time in his career.

Wherever Bogaerts lands, he will undoubtedly be a difference-maker.

The shortstop market was always going to be a focus of Major League Baseball's free agency period this offseason, and that was certainly the case Monday.

ESPN's Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan reported the Philadelphia Phillies agreed to an 11-year, $300 million deal with a no-trade clause with shortstop Trea Turner. It is a head-turning deal with the security of a number of years and the no-trade clause, and he joins a team that reached the World Series just last season.

Turner's resume includes a World Series title with the Washington Nationals, a batting title, a Silver Slugger and two All-Star selections, so he will surely be a key piece in Philadelphia's already formidable lineup.

The question now is where Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts and Dansby Swanson end up.

While all three are impressive players who will be major additions for whichever teams sign them, Correa is likely the headliner at 28 years old with accomplishments that include a World Series crown, Rookie of the Year, Gold Glove and two All-Star selections.

If Turner landed $300 million, that could be just a starting point for Correa.

The best fit for the former Houston Astros and Minnesota Twins shortstop is the Chicago Cubs. There is already known interest in place, as Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported the National League Central team "jumped into the Correa sweepstakes" last offseason before he joined the Twins and "are also exploring the market" this offseason.

Chicago went to three straight National League Championship Series and won a World Series from 2015 through 2017 and should be looking to become competitive again in one of the sport's biggest markets.

Correa would allow Nico Hoerner to move to second base, provide elite defense up the middle of the diamond, doesn't come with draft pick compensation and is in the middle of his prime. He could be the face of the next true contender in the Windy City, and the team has reportedly demonstrated plenty of interest.

As for Bogaerts, his ideal fit would be with the San Diego Padres.

While that may seem like something of a wild-card pick considering Fernando Tatís Jr. is the team's shortstop, John Tomase of NBC Sports highlighted the versatility signing Bogaerts would sign for a lineup that would become arguably the top in the entire league.

"Bogaerts could easily move incumbent Ha-Seong Kim to a utility role while allowing Tatis to become a full-time outfielder, once his PED suspension ends.

"Imagine a lineup built around [Manny] Machado, Tatís, [Juan] Soto and Bogaerts. That's as good a top four as any offense in the game, and Padres GM A.J. Preller has a bit of a fantasy approach to lineup construction; ie., go get the best players and figure out how they fit later."

That leaves Swanson, who is something of a consolation prize just because of how talented the shortstop market is this offseason.

He was still an All-Star and Gold Glover just last season and is in the middle of his prime at 28 years old. Enter the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are always in win-now mode and seemingly need a shortstop after losing Turner to the Phillies.

Swanson may be a bit cheaper than the other options, and Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported last month "the Dodgers seem to view him as a very viable and interesting option."

He would reunite with former Atlanta Braves teammate Freddie Freeman and immediately bolster the team's chances at competing for a World Series against the likes of the San Francisco Giants, Phillies and others.

The Boston Red Sox have not made a "competitive offer" to Xander Bogaerts in free agency, according to Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe.

Bogaerts "has been meeting with interested teams this weekend in person," Abraham added.

Additionally, USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported Sunday that Boston's offers to Bogaerts "haven't come close to enticing him to stay."

The news is somewhat surprising, especially after Sean McAdam of Boston Sports Journal reported in October that the Red Sox had met with the star shortstop to relay that retaining him was their "top priority."

Additionally, Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said at the time that the club wanted to build around Bogaerts, per McAdam:

"That's no different than where we've been. Our position hasn't changed on that. I've said this before, but nothing I say really matters unless there's a deal. But our position has been the same—that we want to keep him here for a long time and we want him here on a deal that we're going to look back on and say, 'This was great for everybody.' ... We want to build around him and win."

Bogaerts, who has spent his entire 10-year career with the Red Sox, opted out of the final three seasons and $60 million on the remainder of his contract in November to become a free agent and search for a more lucrative deal.

Before the 2022 season, the Red Sox offered Bogaerts a contract that would have paid him $90 million over four years, which would have run through 2026. The $22.5 million per season on that offer was only slightly higher than the $20 million per year he was making.

In April, one of the shortstop's friends told Jon Heyman of the New York Post the offer was viewed as a "slap in the face."

Bogaerts became a key cog in the Red Sox lineup since making his major league debut in 2013. The 30-year-old has helped the club win two World Series titles, and he has won five Silver Slugger awards, in addition to being selected to the All-Star Game four times.

And while the BoSox had a tough 2022 campaign, finishing last in the AL East with a 78-84 record, Bogaerts was arguably the team's best and most consistent hitter, slashing .307/.377/.456 with 15 home runs, 73 RBI and eight stolen bases in 150 games.

If Bogaerts walks in free agency, it's reasonable to believe the Red Sox will shift Trevor Story back to shortstop from second base in 2023. However, they would then have questions about who to deploy at second; at this point, it would likely be Christian Arroyo unless they add another second baseman on the open market.

Bogaerts is one of four premier free-agent shortstops available this offseason, joining Trea Turner, Carlos Correa and Dansby Swanson.

The Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres are among the teams interested in Bogaerts, according to Abraham. The Cubs have Bogaerts as their "top priority," per Nightengale.

The Philadelphia Phillies are in the market for a shortstop, and they're set to meet with some of the best available at the position before winter meetings begin on Monday in San Diego.

The Phillies have set meetings with Trea Turner, Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts and Dansby Swanson, per The Athletic's Jayson Stark. The team is expected to meet with Bogaerts and Correa this weekend, while meetings with Turner and Swanson may have already taken place.

The Phillies have emerged as the favorite to sign Turner, per MLB Network's Jon Morosi, and he is expected to land a deal worth at least $30 million per year, regardless of where he ends up.

Turner spent the last season-and-a-half with the Los Angeles Dodgers, earning an All-Star Game selection and a Silver Slugger award in 2022 after slashing .298/.343/.466 with 21 home runs, 100 RBI and 27 stolen bases in 160 games.

While the Phillies are viewed as the favorite to sign Turner, he has no shortage of suitors this winter. The Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants have been mentioned as potential destinations.

Bogaerts has an obvious connection to the Phillies as president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski served in the same role with the Boston Red Sox, the star shortstop's former club, from 2015 to '19.

Bogaerts had spent his entire 10-year career with the Red Sox before becoming a free agent this winter. Like Turner, he also earned an All-Star Game selection and a Silver Slugger award in 2022 after slashing .307/.377/.456 with 15 home runs, 73 RBI and eight stolen bases in 150 games.

Correa, meanwhile, spent the 2022 season the Minnesota Twins after beginning his career with the Houston Astros. He hit .291/.366/.467 with 22 home runs and 64 RBI in 136 games. He opted out of the remainder of his contract with the Twins in search of a more lucrative deal in free agency.

Swanson spent his entire seven-year career with the Atlanta Braves before becoming a free agent. He earned an All-Star Game selection and a Gold Glove award in 2022 after hitting .277/.329/.447 with 25 home runs, 96 RBI and 18 stolen bases in 162 games.

During the 2022 campaign, the Phillies relied on Jean Segura and Bryson Stott at shortstop. Segura is a free agent and Stott, 25, will be entering just his second major league season in 2023. Thus, the Phillies want someone more proven.

After reaching the World Series in 2022, the Phillies could be just one superstar piece away from winning it all in 2023.

The Philadelphia Phillies are aiming high in their quest to find an upgrade at shortstop in free agency.

Per Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the reigning National League champions are believed to have "real interest" in four-time All-Star Xander Bogaerts.

Bogaerts could be a fallback plan because the Phillies have been heavily linked to Trea Turner. Bogaerts became a free agent by opting out of the final three years and $60 million remaining on his deal with the Boston Red Sox.

Appearing on 97.5 The Fanatic earlier this week (h/t John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia), The Athletic's Jayson Stark said there have been "some interesting rumblings" that Turner wants to be in Philadelphia.

While both players will carry expensive price tags this offseason, Bogaerts could be more appealing to the Phillies because he may not cost as much as Turner. He is eight months older and has seen his power decline in each of the past three seasons.

Since posting a career-high slugging percentage in 2019 (.555), Bogaerts' power output has dropped by nearly 100 points to .456 this past season. He remains one of the best pure hitters at shortstop, posting a .307 average and .377 on-base percentage in 2022.

Boston's key decision-makers, including chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom and general manager Brian O'Halloran, told reporters this week their top priority is re-signing Bogaerts.

It's not a surprise the Phillies will likely want to get involved in the Bogaerts sweepstakes. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has built a career on signing marquee players in free agency.

The Phillies only have $140.2 million in guaranteed salary commitments on their books for next season.

Bryson Stott was Philadelphia's primary shortstop in 2022. The 25-year-old rookie was used primarily for his defense. He only hit .234/.295/.358 with 10 homers and 49 RBI in 127 games.

Record-breaking New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge reportedly headlines a group of nine MLB players expected to receive contracts of at least $100 million this offseason.

One player, New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz, already joined the nine-figure club by signing a $102 million extension. ESPN's Jeff Passan reported other members of the group expected to join Diaz and Judge via free agency, which opens Thursday at 5 p.m. ET:

• SS Trea Turner (Los Angeles Dodgers)
• SS Carlos Correa (Minnesota Twins)
• SS Xander Bogaerts (Boston Red Sox)
• SS Dansby Swanson (Atlanta Braves)
• OF Brandon Nimmo (New York Mets)
• SP Carlos Rodón (San Francisco Giants)
• SP Jacob deGrom (New York Mets)

Nimmo is the only name on the list that may catch some people by surprise given his modest counting stats across seven seasons with the Mets. He's recorded just 63 home runs and 23 stolen bases in 608 career appearances.

That said, the 29-year-old center fielder gets on base at a high rate (.385 career on-base percentage) and plays solid defense (six outs above average in 2022, per FanGraphs).

Agent Scott Boras said Wednesday a "majority" of teams have already called him about Nimmo.

"You are looking at a guy that there are no center fielders in our game that are available," Boras told reporters. "And then you add leadoff to that and then you add ... on-base percentage to that, and he's an excellent defender and then also he can play in New York. When you have those elements that are there, he becomes a very integral part of what we found for a team to win 100 games. He's a very proven commodity and there are very few that can replace him."

Otherwise, two intriguing storylines early in free agency will be whether the Yankees can keep pace in the Judge sweepstakes and which star shortstop signs first to set the market at the position.

New York can't afford to lose Judge and expect to remain a top-tier contender in the American League. He carried the club's offense for extended stretches in 2022 en route to setting the new AL home run record with 62.

As Boras alluded, there aren't many great options available in center field, and even the dropoff from Judge to Nimmo is rather significant. So the ability to re-sign the 6'7'' slugger is a make-or-break situation for the Yanks.

Meanwhile, all four of the top-tier shortstops available should surpass the $100 million mark if they're willing to sign long-term deals.

Swanson, who's often ranked fourth on the list and could sign first to help set the baseline for the others, finds himself in a similar situation to Freddie Freeman last offseason. He's spent his entire career with the Braves but hits the market without a new deal.

"Business is business, man. It's not always the fun part about the game," Swanson said last week on 92.9 The Game. "I wish it was just one plus one, but it never seems to be that way."

Freeman left to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Swanson may follow him out the Truist Park door, leaving Atlanta with a void at shortstop.

All told, a lot of money is going to get spent over the next few months and, given the high-end talent available, the clubs willing to open their checkbooks could put themselves at the forefront of the 2023 championship chase.