Report: Xander Bogaerts drawing ‘real interest’ from Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies have reportedly “real interest” in Red Sox free agent shortstop Xander Bogaerts, according to the New York Post’s Jon Heyman.
Bogaerts and Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski have a relationship that dates back to their time together in Boston. Dombrowski gave Bogaerts a six-year, $120 million extension in 2019, with the ability to opt-out, which he did this offseason.
The Aruba native opted out of his contract this past Monday. In the process, he will leave three-years and $60 million on the table for the opportunity to get a much bigger pay raise.
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Chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom has made it clear that the club’s No. 1 priority this winter was Bogaerts.
“I don’t ever want to make public any of the blow by blow, but what I can say is this: That process is going to start right away from our end,” Bloom said. “Obviously, we know we haven’t found that path yet. We still want to. We’re going to work really hard at it.”
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Boston has been in contact with Bogaerts and his agent Scott Boras. It’s rumored that the Red Sox made an offer to their All-Star shortstop after the season. However, neither side has given any credence on if this rumor is true.
“He’s someone we want to have here for a very long time. Obviously, the timing is a little bit different with him,” Bloom said. “I believe we are backing that up with our actions as well.”
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