The San Diego Padres are staring down a brutal MLB trade deadline, and they’ve got a $280 million problem draped around their necks. With just a few weeks left until the August 3rd deadline, this team is sitting under .500, and it’s looking more and more like they’ll be selling off players this summer. But even if they want to clear house, one huge contract is completely messing up their plans.
Xander Bogaerts’ $280 Million Contract Is a Disaster
Let’s talk about Xander Bogaerts, because his contract is the absolute core of this mess. The Padres signed him to a massive 11-year, $280 million deal that runs all the way through the 2033 season, taking him to his age-40 year. And honestly, it’s a catastrophe. He’s making way too much money for his production, and it’s getting worse. This season, Bogaerts has posted a dismal 1.1 bWAR in 95 games. His batting average is a cringe-worthy .220, with a .638 OPS and a 79 OPS+. That’s a huge step back from his time with the Red Sox, and even from his first year with the Padres in 2023. This guy’s regressed significantly, and he is nowhere near the valuable player that contract implies.
Even Mason Miller Can’t Save This Trade
Now, the Padres do have some valuable pieces they could move, like Mason Miller. He’s emerged as a player who could definitely be dealt and bring back some decent value. Here’s the kicker, though: the Padres would absolutely *love* to attach Bogaerts’ “onerous” contract to any trade deal involving Miller, just to get it off their books. But as ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel pointed out, that’s a pipe dream. “Nobody’s going to take it.” Trying to combine Bogaerts and his bloated deal with Miller would “severely limit their return.” Essentially, they’d have to be okay with getting a lot less for Miller than he’s actually worth on his own. His trade value is effectively in the negative, making him a lead weight.
So, where does that leave the Padres? They are stuck. This $280 million contract is a massive problem, and it’s one that probably won’t have a clean resolution in the trade market. The August 3rd deadline is fast approaching, and it looks like this team is going to be anchored down by Bogaerts’ deal for a long, long time. It really feels like this team is facing some rough choices as they try to navigate their season. What are they even going to do?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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