Phillies Rumors: Xander Bogaerts Has 'Real Interest' from PHI in MLB Free Agency

The Philadelphia Phillies are aiming high in their quest to find an upgrade at shortstop in free agency.

Per Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the reigning National League champions are believed to have "real interest" in four-time All-Star Xander Bogaerts.

Bogaerts could be a fallback plan because the Phillies have been heavily linked to Trea Turner. Bogaerts became a free agent by opting out of the final three years and $60 million remaining on his deal with the Boston Red Sox.

Appearing on 97.5 The Fanatic earlier this week (h/t John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia), The Athletic's Jayson Stark said there have been "some interesting rumblings" that Turner wants to be in Philadelphia.

While both players will carry expensive price tags this offseason, Bogaerts could be more appealing to the Phillies because he may not cost as much as Turner. He is eight months older and has seen his power decline in each of the past three seasons.

Since posting a career-high slugging percentage in 2019 (.555), Bogaerts' power output has dropped by nearly 100 points to .456 this past season. He remains one of the best pure hitters at shortstop, posting a .307 average and .377 on-base percentage in 2022.

Boston's key decision-makers, including chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom and general manager Brian O'Halloran, told reporters this week their top priority is re-signing Bogaerts.

It's not a surprise the Phillies will likely want to get involved in the Bogaerts sweepstakes. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has built a career on signing marquee players in free agency.

The Phillies only have $140.2 million in guaranteed salary commitments on their books for next season.

Bryson Stott was Philadelphia's primary shortstop in 2022. The 25-year-old rookie was used primarily for his defense. He only hit .234/.295/.358 with 10 homers and 49 RBI in 127 games.