Padres 'untradeable' $280 million infielder is going to be a problem for a while

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Padres 'untradeable' $280 million infielder is going to be a problem for a while originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The San Diego Padres are currently in first place in the NL West, and they're going to be one of the top postseason contenders once again this season with a strong overall roster.

But when it comes to team-building, things are going to get progressively worse over time for the Padres. There is a clear reason why things will only get worse for the Padres: money.

Zachary Rotman of Fansided.com identified some of the most "untradeable" players in MLB right now based on their expensive contracts, and $280 million Padres infielder Xander Bogaerts was named among this group.

"The deal is too long for a player unlikely to remain at shortstop for much longer, and who has been an above-average hitter in exactly one of three full seasons in San Diego," Rotman writes. "Even if Bogaerts was willing to waive his no-trade clause, I can't think of a single team that'd express interest."

Bogaerts is under contract through the 2033 season and is owed over $177 million on his massive contract. With a near-zero chance for a trade to materialize, it's looking like Bogaerts will stay in San Diego for the long-haul.

Padres will be stuck with Xander Bogaerts for a while​

The Padres aren't likely to find any trade partners for Bogaerts, as the shortstop is not likely to stick at the position for long as he ages.

He's 33 years old already, and his defense hasn't gotten any better over time. And if his athleticism fades as it does for everyone as they age, this $280 million contract for a shortstop will be a tough one to deal with.

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A.J. Preller can get creative, but barring Bogaerts moving to a different position and finding success, and his offensive output over the next few years staying above a 100 OPS+, it's going to be a long next seven seasons with Bogaerts under contract.

This season, he's playing fairly well with a 118 OPS+ in 39 games. But, because his defense hasn't been great, he's only put up 0.8 bWAR.

With the likelihood of a trade for Bogaerts near zero, the Padres will be stuck with an infielder who is on a big contract that is likely to regress for the next seven and a half seasons. It might be fine for now, but as he approaches his 40's, it's going to be tough.

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