MLB insider thinks a contender might make a strong play for Xander Bogaerts

An MLB insider thinks that this team from the NL East could potentially make a play for free agent shortstop Xander Bogaerts.

The MLB free agency period has begun, and we have already seen top free agents sign, such as Rafael Montero with the Houston Astros and Anthony Rizzo with the New York Yankees. Yet, there are still many big-name free agents that remain unsigned, one of them being Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts. This year, the Red Sox and Bogaerts weren’t close to reaching an agreement on a contract extension, setting up the shortstop’s trip to free agency.

There is one team to keep an eye on regarding interest in signing Bogaerts.

During an appearance on MLB Network’s “MLB Tonight” insider Jon Heyman said while it’s unknown where Bogaets may end up, he brings up the Philadelphia Phillies as a possibility. Comments happen at the start of the video below.

MLB insider thinks Phillies could sign Xander Bogaerts

“Dave Dombrowski was there in Boston. [Bogaerts] helped Dave Dombrowski win a championship. They’ve said they’re going to go for the shortstops and I think the Philly people really like Bogaerts a lot. So I’m not going to be surprised if he goes down the road a little bit to Philly.”

Heyman has linked Bogaerts to the Phillies earlier this offseason, saying in the tweet that the team is “believed to have real interest” in him. As Heyman mentions, Bogaerts won a World Series title in 2018 when Dombrowski was the Red Sox team president.

The Phillies were just two wins away from winning their first World Series title since 2008. Now, they’re in a position to bolster their roster to help making another push to the Fall Classic.

It just so happens that Philadelphia has an opening in the middle infield, as they declined Jean Segura’s option at the end of the season.

Another shortstop that the Phillies are linked to is Trea Turner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, formerly of the Washington Nationals. Specifically, The Athletic’s Jayson Stark revealed in an interview on 97.5 The Fanatic that he’s heard “interesting rumblings” that Turner wants to be in Philadelphia.

When it comes to Bogaerts and where he’ll sign his next big contract, the Phillies should be worth monitoring. Whether they actually sign him or make an offer remains to be seen.