11:40 p.m.: The deal includes a full no-trade clause; it contains no opt-in clauses, reports Jon Morosi of MLB.com (on twitter).
11:21 p.m.: The Padres agree Xander Bogaerts on an 11-year, $280 million deal, reports Jon Heyman of the New York Post (Twitter link). It’s an amazing development as the four-time All-Star leaves the only organization he’s ever heard of joining the Padres with an amazing level of commitment.
Bogaerts had spent his entire career in Boston and originally joined the organization in 2009 as an amateur signee from Aruba. He quickly became one of the sport’s top talents and was with the majors in August 2013, just months before his 21st birthday. Bogaerts picked up two Silver Slugger honors in his first four MLB seasons, but his .283/.339/.409 career slash line through 2017 overall was about league average. However, in 2018 he took a big step forward and reached another level with his 25-year campaign.
He hit .288/.360/.522 with 23 home runs in 136 games this season and helped lead Boston to 108 wins and a World Series title. Bogaerts has maintained this new level of excellence as he has been a well above average attacking player in each of the four years since. Returning to the start of the 2018 season, the right-hitting infielder owns a .300/.373/.507 line that is 34 percentage points above the league average as measured by wRC+.
Following that breakout season, the Red Sox signed Bogaerts to a long-term contract in April 2019. Boston guaranteed him $120 million between 2020-25, allowing him to get out after 2022 with half that remaining money. Bogaerts played well enough to earn some MVP votes in each of the four seasons since signing that extension, it was a no-brainer that he would exercise his opt-out opportunity unless he and the Red Sox could pre-emptively each other agree on a new deal.
Extension talks this spring didn’t come close, as Boston reportedly offered to add another season to the deal for $30 million. Opting out was easy for Bogaerts’ camp, and he cemented his opt-out decision with another excellent year. Through 631 plate appearances he reached .307/.377/.456. Bogaerts’ 15 home runs were his lowest overall season since 2017, but he finished 10th in the majors (minimum 500 plate appearances) on-base percentage.
There’s more to come.