MLB free agency: Ranking the 3 worst contracts of the 2022 offseason

Worst contract: Xander Bogaerts, San Diego Padres

Contract: 11 years, $280 million.

I want to make this abundantly clear: I really like Bogaerts. I like what he brings to the clubhouse. I like what he brings both offensively and defensively and as a star shortstop, he makes the Padres a lot better.

I just think that the contract could have been for much less.

At one point, the Boston Red Sox offered Bogaerts a one-year, $30 million contract — which was immediately a no-go. In the days leading up to Bogaerts signing with San Diego, the Red Sox offered him a six-year contract worth roughly $160 million, which is $120 million less than what the Padres signed him for.

Had the Padres split the difference and signed Bogaerts for $220 million, they would have had additional room to meaningfully upgrade other parts of their roster. They signed Seth Lugo to a two-year contract and are seriously involved in the bidding for right-hander Johnny Cueto, sources say.

So it’s not like they aren’t able to continue adding. They could have just had much more flexibility, and options, had they not so significantly outbid the field for Bogaerts.