3 moves the Padres must make after whiffing on Trea Turner

1. Sign Xander Bogaerts to complete dream lineup

If you can identify a silver lining in Turner signing with the (now-hated) Phillies, it does take a suitor out of the running for Bogaerts. Forget about the logjam it would create in the infield. The Padres need another big bat, and the shortstop market happens to offer the most upside in that regard this offseason.

With Fernando Tatis Jr. seemingly headed for a position change at some point, Bogaerts slotting in at shortstop — with Ha-Seong Kim morphing into a super-utility player — would maximize San Diego’s offensive and defensive potential.

Talents like Bogaerts don’t come around often, and he’s already friendly with Juan Soto, who’s openly recruited the lifetime Red Sox to the west coast. Who knows? Winning the Bogaerts sweepstakes could go a long way towards convincing Soto, a free agent after 2024, to sign an extension with the Friars.

It certainly couldn’t hurt.

Bogaerts’ resume speaks for itself. Since 2018 (a five-year sample size), the three-time All-Star has hit .300/.373/.507 while averaging 21 home runs and 80 RBI. Those numbers jump to 27 homers and 101 RBI per 162 games played.

He’d cost a ton, but he’s one baseball’s most accomplished hitters and is smack in the middle of his prime having just turned 30 in October.

3 teams who could swipe Xander Bogaerts from Padres in free agency

The Padres are reportedly in hot pursuit of free agent shortstop Xander Bogaerts, but these three teams could just as easily swipe him from San Diego.