Velez is interested in Xander Bogarts

Based on reports Back in SeptemberFeliz, they were planning to continue Xander Bogarts Once the free agent market opens, and that plan seems to stay the same two months later. according to John Heyman from The New York PostPhiladelphia isbelieved to have a real interest inWhich makes Bogaerts the latest expensive addition to the list.

Since the Bogaerts received a qualifying offer they would surely reject from the Red Sox, Phillies would have an additional price to pay as compensation for signing, given that Philadelphia crossed the luxury tax threshold in 2022. To sign the Bogaerts or any other QO-refused free agent, Phils would have to Giving away $1 million of their international bonus pool, the second and fifth highest picks in the 2023 draft.

short fellow star Dansby Swanson And the Tria Turner Also attached is the compensation draft, so in theory, Velez might prefer Carlos Correa If they are going to shop from The top shelf of the shortstop market. Since Correa rejected a qualifying offer last winter, he is not eligible to receive another QO, and can therefore be signed without any compensation. Of course, this also gives Korea extra oomph to the other teams, which doesn’t necessarily help Phillies in the bidding war.

Phils is expected to at least check in on all of these short stops, but Bogaerts also has a personal connection with Phillies chief baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, who was a PBO in Boston from 2015-19. That stint saw the Red Sox win the world championship in 2018, and the Bogaerts signed a six-year, $120 million extension which he has now opted out of, in order to test the market this winter.

Since Velez rejected the $17 million club’s option Jean Segura In 2023, the Phils suddenly have a hole in their land that can be filled cleanly by hiring the Bogaerts. Bryson Stott He would move to second base, and the Bogarts could step in directly as a new short stop each day in Philadelphia. Edmundo SosaHis appearance after joining the Phillies in the mid-season trade also puts him in the mix, although Sosa can be moved around the diamond – splitting time with Stott at second base, getting the occasional appearance in left field, or a spell Alec Boom In the third rule.

Between Segura Club’s rejected option and Zach Evelyn After rejecting the reciprocal option, the Phillies had approximately $179.3 million on payroll on books for 2023, and a welfare tax figure of just under $190.8 million. Assuming Bogarts signs a contract at MLBTR prediction Of an average annual value of $27 million, that would leave Dombrowski with some room under the $233 million tax line to add any additional listing. Of course, this assumes that the Phillies are overly concerned with resetting their tax bill. After winning the Premier League title in 2022, the monarchy might not mind a second year in a row of excess increases if it means adding a player like Bogarts who can put the Phils on top for the world title.