Bogaerts' 2026 ranking is out. Discover his spot among shortstops and what the Padres expect from their expensive star.
The San Diego Padres have had a bit of a slow offseason, with the signing of Michael King being the biggest one so far.
The Padres' inactivity has been a bit of a surprise, especially since GM A.J. Preller has become known to land big players year after year.
Nonetheless, the Padres roster includes a majority of players who were on the team in 2025 when they made the postseason, so there isn't too much need for a change.
Yes, Dylan Cease signed with the Toronto Blue Jays. Luis Arraez signed with the San Francisco Giants, Robert Suarez went to the Atlanta Braves, and Ryan O'Hearn joined the Pittsburgh Pirates, but none of them were really expected to come back in 2026.
The Padres have basically the same infield, and shortstop Xander Bogaerts had a bounce-back season after a rough start in San Diego.
Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report ranked all of the starting shortstops for 2026, and he had Bogaerts at No. 19.
Bogaerts is the second-lowest-ranked shortstop in the National League West, with only Ezequiel Tovar of the Colorado Rockies lower, and he comes in at No. 22.
Bogaerts signed an 11-year deal worth $280 million with San Diego after the 2022 season ended, but he has yet to live up to that type of money.
In 2025, he took a step forward, hitting .263 with 11 home runs and 53 RBIs. With Ha-Seong Kim leaving town, it also allowed Bogaerts to shift back to shortstop after playing some second base, and shortstop is the position he held with the Boston Red Sox before coming to the National League.
Still, the Padres are hoping for more out of Bogaerts. Over the past two seasons, he has a combined 96 OPS+ in 1,015 plate appearances, so there is more to be expected from the shortstop.
The good news is this: Former manager Mike Shildt hated to tinker with the batting order. Remember how long he had Arraez in the No. 2 spot?
The question remains about whether or not first-time manager Craig Stammen will adjust the lineup, but getting Bogaerts more support around him could allow his offensive skills to return in 2026.
Manny Machado is at third base, Jake Cronenworth is slotted in at second base (in pencil for now), and Gavin Sheets/Miguel Andujar/some free agent could be at first base, so the infielder looks mainly the same going into the 2026 campaign.