The San Diego Padres have made a significant move before the 2023 season by acquiring Xander Bogaerts for a whopping $280 million. Bogaerts will take on the role of starting shortstop for the team, replacing Fernando Tatis Jr., who is better suited for the outfield due to his arm and overall skillset. However, with the arrival of new manager Mike Shildt, a change has been announced. Shildt has revealed that Bogaerts will be transitioning to second base this season to make room for Ha-Seong Kim to take over as the team’s shortstop. This decision aims to enhance the Padres’ defensive performance and address the issue of losing close games in the previous year. Despite losing key players in the offseason, such as Juan Soto, Blake Snell, Seth Lugo, and Josh Hader, the Padres remain determined to compete in 2024. This move exemplifies their commitment to improvement and competitiveness.
According to the Source thecoldwire.com