MLB writer exposes the Xander Bogaerts reality tying the Padres' hands

Xander Bogaerts' gargantuan 11-year, $280 million contract has never been hush. It's been talked about and picked apart, which has left Padres fans wondering why AJ Preller would ever sign such a hefty deal to a player already in his 30s upon ink hitting the paper.

At first sight, though, Bogaerts was coming off his second-straight Silver Slugger season with the Red Sox, which was the fifth award of his career. He was indisputably a Tier 1 hitting shortstop, so the only way that Preller would get him to come to San Diego was by offering a lopsided deal. Well, it happened, and now the Padres probably will never find a way out of the contract.

The uncomfortable Bogaerts truth limiting how bold the Padres can really be

Not only does San Diego not have a solidified replacement awaiting in the minor leagues anymore, but Bogaerts still has eight years and $203.6 million left on his deal, making his contract the most untradeable in all of Major League Baseball. The Padres are 100 percent stuck with him, for better or worse.

It isn't the most ideal situation for the team, considering that they want to contend for a World Series every season. With that in mind, it means they need to get a ring in the next couple of years while Bogaerts still has some relevancy. Yes, his health has taken a hit the last two seasons with shoulder and foot injuries. Yes, his speed and arm strength have made him a bit of a liability at shortstop. But, Bogaerts can still hit when called upon.

The now-33-year-old still found a way to scrounge for 30 doubles this past season. He was a .290 hitter in June, then .295 in July. Bogaerts hit safely in seven of his last eight regular season games which included five RBIs, and carried that into the postseason by hitting 4-for-12.

The stick is still there, but it came-and-went when injuries plagued him. Hopefully he doesn't get hurt again, but he's missed some decent time the last two years to suggest that San Diego should anticipate him to miss some time moving forward. With a backup plan ready to go in case he gets hurt again, the window for the Padres to win has become much smaller due to Bogaerts' contract and his inconsistent health. But, if they are able to clinch a World Series title, Bogaerts will likely have a big hand in getting them across the finish line.