The shortstop market in MLB during the 2021-22 offseason was explosive, with five top options for teams to choose from: Carlos Correa, Javier Baez, Corey Seager, Trevor Story, and Marcus Semien.
Everything is pointing to it being almost as good in the 2022-23 offseason, too.
Two stars are primed to hit the market when the World Series ends: the Boston Red Sox’s Xander Bogaerts and Los Angeles Dodgers‘ Trea Turner.
Before the 2020 season, Bogaerts signed a six-year, $120 million pact that covered him until 2025, with a 2026 vesting option.
There is a catch, however: he can opt out after 2022.
And he most likely will.
As for Turner, he is in the last year of arbitration eligibility, making $21 million from the Dodgers.
Both Stars Will Likely Hit The Market
He has stated he would like to return to Los Angeles, but once he hits the free agent market, no verbal commitments or intentions will matter: every team will have a shot at securing his services.
The same goes for Bogaerts: he is beloved in Boston and will almost certainly return under some new agreement, but once it’s signed and provided he opts out, he will be able to talk to other organizations.
Both are deserving of incredibly large contracts.
“There are two shortstops today with: 100+ hits .300+ batting average .380+ on-base percentage .440+ slugging percentage. Say hello to #Dodgers Trea Turner and #RedSox Xander Bogaerts, both who can be free agents in 3 1/2 months,” MLB insider Bob Nightengale tweeted.
There are two shortstops today with:
100+ hits
.300+ batting average
.380+ on-base percentage
.440+ slugging percentage.
Say hello to #Dodgers Trea Turner and #RedSox Xander Bogaerts, both who can be free agents in 3 1/2 months.— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 26, 2022
Turner is slashing .306/.352/.496 with 15 homers and 17 steals, while Bogaerts is at .312/.385/.443 with seven round-trippers, five thefts, and 3.7 Wins Above Replacement (WAR).
No matter where they sign, they will have very large contracts by the time 2023 Opening Day comes.
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