Padres moving Xander Bogaerts to 2B for 2024

Field Level Media|published: Fri 16th February, 16:40 2024

Sep 30, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) throws to first base for a Chicago White Sox out during the ninth inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. credits: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt told reporters Friday that the team is moving Xander Bogaerts from shortstop to second base for the 2024 season and moving Gold Glove-winning infielder Ha-Seong Kim back to shortstop.

Bogaerts, 31, signed an 11-year, $280 million contract with the Padres prior to last season and has played shortstop almost exclusively throughout his 11 big-league seasons with the Boston Red Sox and San Diego.

He has not played second base in the majors.

"I don't want to misrepresent: Xander Bogaerts played a really good shortstop for the San Diego Padres last year and was a positive part of us," Shildt said.

"But now you look at it, and you do have a guy in Kimmy that also won a Gold Glove as a utility infielder. I will never speak for Bogey. ... But he recognizes Kimmy's value at shortstop and is a good teammate for that."

The Padres underachieved last season, finishing 82-80, but defense was not the primary problem. They were sixth in MLB for defensive efficiency, fifth in defensive runs saved and fourth in outs above average.

Kim, 28, played 106 games at second, 32 at third and 20 at shortstop in 2023. The previous season, he played 131 games (125 starts) at shortstop with Fernando Tatis Jr. missing the season due to suspension.

Kim is slated to become a free agent following the 2024 season.

—Field Level Media