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Top 20 free agents & where they’ll sign part 1

By Neil Raymond

NEW YORK, NY - JULY 31: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees runs off the field against the Kansas City Royals during the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium on July 31, 2022 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 31: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees runs off the field against the Kansas City Royals during the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium on July 31, 2022 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) /
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4. Xander Bogaerts, SS

7 years/$190 million with the Philadelphia Phillies 

Xander Bogaerts
BOSTON, MA – MAY 21: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox scores the tying run during the fifth inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners on May 21, 2022 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /

Xander Bogaerts is the SS that I see signing with Philly. The reason is that they often overlook defense and GM Dave Dombrowski also knows Bogaerts from his own days in Boston. In fact, they’re already reported to have serious interest in signing him. I certainly don’t see Boston re-signing him, after insulting him and signing his replacement a year early. I think that Bogaerts to Philly makes a lot of sense.

Xander actually did better than both Trea Turner and Carlos Correa, producing 5.8 WAR along with a 307/.377/.456 batting line in 150 games and 557 AB. It’s still a wonder that Boston’s offer during Spring Training was to just add a year and $30 million to his team-friendly 4 year/$120 million deal.

If there’s a red flag with Xander Bogaerts, it’s that he only hit 15 home runs, with his power actually declining in 2022. On the plus side, he had the best defensive season of his career (1.3 dWAR). It’s ironic that Bogaerts’s defense was seen as a red flag in recent seasons.

Bogaerts will play next season at 30 years old by the way, so he can still get 7 or even 8 years on the open market. All of that said, his history of poor defense and a decline in power can be a cap on his earning potential of sorts. I do expect both Trea Turner and Carlos Correa to ultimately make more money and get more years than him this off-season. A QO won’t affect his value.

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