Report: Phillies believed to have 'real interest' in free-agent SS Xander Bogaerts

As Heyman mentioned, Bogaerts already has a link to the City of Brotherly Love. 

Phillies' president of baseball operations, Dave Dombrowski, then leading the Boston Red Sox front office, signed Bogaerts to a six-year, $120M deal in 2019. Earlier this week, Bogaerts declined the remaining three years ($120M) on his contract, becoming a free agent. 

The 30-year-old had another All-Star season in 2022, earning his fifth Silver Slugger Award at shortstop while leading the Red Sox in hits (171), walks (57), batting average (.307), and on-base percentage (.377). 

The Red Sox may still have an interest in retaining Bogaerts. In October, Red Sox's chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said he viewed signing Bogaerts as a top priority, adding that the team's position "hasn't changed," and they "want to keep him" in Boston. 

Meanwhile, since the free agent market opened, Bogaerts joins Trea Turner as shortstops linked to the Phillies. On Wednesday, Jayson Stark of The Athletic reported "some interesting rumblings" about Turner's desire to come to Philadelphia.