Padres considering shifting Xander Bogaerts off shortstop to field better defensive infield, per report

The San Diego Padres have internally mentioned the potential of asking shortstop Xander Bogaerts to alternate positions and play both first or 2d base forward of subsequent season, according to Dennis Lin of The Athletic. Bogaerts’ relocation to the precise aspect of the infield could be a part of an effort on San Diego’s phase to succeed in the optimum defensive association. 

Manager Bob Melvin’s most-used infield this season noticed Bogaerts at shortstop with Jake Cronenworth in the beginning, Ha-Seong Kim at 2d, and Manny Machado at 3rd. Machado is not transferring, however the Padres would like to have Kim and Cronenworth forming their double-play mixture. That leaves Bogaerts, who ranked within the 82nd percentile in Outs Above Average, over in the beginning base.

Here’s a have a look at how the Padres’ infielders graded in that metric in 2023:

The 31-year-old Bogaerts signed an 11-year pact price $280 million with the Padres ultimate wintry weather. At the time, Padres boss A.J. Preller conceded Bogaerts would most likely shift down the defensive spectrum sooner or later — even though Preller recommended it would not turn into a speaking level for a number of years. Per Lin, Bogaerts prefers 2d base if he is requested to transfer. Bogaerts additionally instructed Lin he has “no idea” if the Padres will manner him this wintry weather with a request to soak up a brand new spot.

Bogaerts has gave the impression at shortstop in 1,338 of his 1,391 big-league video games. In 21 others, he gave the impression as his workforce’s designated hitter. Bogaerts has gave the impression in 53 video games as a 3rd baseman. He’s by no means manned first or 2d base as a certified, on the other hand, suggesting there could be a studying curve at play.

Bogaerts hit .285/.350/.440 (120 OPS+) with 19 house runs, 31 doubles, and 19 stolen bases on 21 tries in 2023. His contributions have been price an estimated 4.4 Wins Above Replacement, per Baseball Reference’s calculations.