Veteran Xander Bogaerts will return to the shortstop place for the San Diego Padres in 2025, supervisor Mike Shildt advised reporters on Saturday. The announcement of the choice comes days after incumbent shortstop Ha-Seong Kim signed a free-agent contract with the Tampa Bay Rays. 

Bogaerts, 32, was initially signed to be the Padres’ shortstop previous to the 2023 season, which allowed Fernando Tatis Jr. to maneuver to the outfield. For final season, although, the Padres shifted Kim from a super-utility position to shortstop, and Bogaerts manned second base. The lack of Kim, although, implies that Bogaerts will return to the place he usually manned for the primary 10 seasons of his major-league profession. Bogaerts graded out as a plus at second base final season, in line with Statcast metrics. He likewise had constructive marks for his work at shortstop in 2023 and in 2022, his ultimate season with the Boston Crimson Sox earlier than signing with San Diego. 

The larger concern is probably whether or not Bogaerts can arrest his seeming decline on the plate. Final season, he batted simply .264/.307/.381 (92 OPS+) with 11 residence runs in 111 video games whereas enjoying round a serious shoulder harm. Previous to the 2024 season, Bogaerts boasted a profession OPS+ of 117. He is going into the third 12 months of an 11-year, $280 million contract with the Padres. 

The Padres in 2025 can be attempting to make the postseason for the fourth time within the final six seasons. That purpose, nevertheless, is sophisticated by the fact that the Padres could also be in cost-cutting mode, probably in response to an inside energy wrestle among the many heirs and family members of late proprietor Peter Seidler.