Padres Manager Announces Position Change for Standout Shortstop Xander Bogaerts

San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt told reporters that star shortstop Xander Bogaerts will move to second base this season, allowing Ha-Seong Kim to play shortstop full time. Shildt made sure to stress that the situation is fluid, but for now, Bogaerts and Kim will switch spots in the infield.

Bogaerts signed an 11-year, $280 million contract with the Padres last offseason and spent his first year in San Diego playing shortstop. The veteran has spent the vast majority of his career as a shortstop, primarily with the Boston Red Sox, and has never played a game at second base in his career.

In 2023, Bogaerts totaled 19 home runs, 58 RBIs and a .790 OPS with the Padres, but produced -4 defensive runs saved on the season. Kim, on the other hand, had 16 defensive runs saved while bouncing around the infield as a utility man and has been one of MLB’s top defenders since joining the league in 2021.

According to Shildt, Bogaerts learned about the idea in December and had no reservations towards switching positions.

“My admiration for Xander Bogaerts went through the roof,” Shildt said, via MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell.

Bogaerts is only the latest former Padres shortstop to move positions, as Manny Machado is the full-time third baseman and Fernando Tatís Jr. became a platinum glove outfielder.