Xander Bogaerts on moving from SS to 2nd base, why he’s at peace with the move, Ha-Seong Kim and moving past a disappointing 2023 season.
Switch uh I mean I sign here as a short stop you know but to me I just live and die baseball you know and I felt like we had this conversation early in the morning and I was like listen man if this is the way that you guys view the team is
Better I respect him especially defensively I I actually admire him a lot so it maybe it can hurt but I mean I’m I’m just doing it in the best interest of the team and in the end I feel like I’m at peace with with moving off you know
Cuz I felt like if I if I literally didn’t really want to I would have just let them know and that would have been a I wouldn’t say a problem but it might have been tough situation but I think I’m I’m really at piece
Of going to have to move off you know so I think I think that deep down in my heart like I was actually cool with it you know I did didn’t expect maybe to be cool with it but what what more can I accomplish in
This game you know I I I came here the only reason I came here was to win a World Series so if this is the way that that we’re going to get one so be it you know I want to I want a I was just
Thinking I want one at third base I want one at Short Stop and it would be very nice to win one at second base so I’m looking at the positive and and actually if if we’re going to have this conversation in like two years hey let’s move you from here from the position
Again what not like let’s just get out of the way now you know if this is a really good time for that our team is it’s going to be much better this way let’s let’s just do it you know what are your expectations for second base and
For all all the all that’ll entail in terms of making move and position I feel like it’s going to be a little hard for me cuz I’m very used to seeing a guy come in front of me on the double play pivots I feel that’s the only hard
Part uh I’m used to seeing the guy but now the guy is coming like from my side so I don’t really see him I feel like that’s going to be the the hard part but I mean look at the bright side it’s not a lot of second baseman that can hit
Fort in the big league so I mean I’m I’m looking at it that way one spot was okay but two spots um not okay M yeah no I’m I’m good there now I’m good I’m at peace I am at peace I I didn’t expect probably to move off this early
You know but as I said I’ve done enough in this game and and and I just want to continue winning and I mean if you know me you just know I’m all about that and if they feel like this is the time that that’s that’s going to make the team
Much better and and and get us to the playoffs the the way that we want to get to that we didn’t achieve last year then then let’s do it you know you kind of knew that at some point they would be talking to you about it was Mike in
Aruba the first time that someone did talk to you about it no okay and so what has the process been like for you in terms of how did we get to today yeah we got to today fast ass let me tell you that uh yeah it they just approach about it
And it’s not like I was like hey take ground balls a second be prepared for any of that that’s probably the only part that that maybe would have been a little could have been a little different but I mean I don’t know how much interest they really had on like
Moving me off what not but once they came with that option today it’s like as I said man I could have really be like you know what I I don’t want to move off yet but deep down I really feel like you know what it it might be time
And especially the respect I have for Kimmy defensively uh as a player so put makes us better I mean work out there today ah that was just a little show and go just just a little bouncing around uh the Double Play feeds is going to be
A little tough and as I said I think most of the tough plays will be around the double plays you know and the feeding and and the receiving of the ball with me not being able to see the guy uh those might be the the tough
Parts of learning that you were so adant you were so adant that you were shortstop how did Mike present it to you and how long in the conversation did it take before you said okay I’ll do it I think like 15 seconds maybe 15 seconds that was maybe a little shorter
You know yeah so Xander you and Mike obviously talked about it and Shel and Aruba but when was it really solidified that that would be the plan at least spring training to work that today today today yeah you feel it’s more important what you do
At the plate anyway you know what I ever since I went the miners my uncle he learned me and my brother how to play baseball and he always said my calling card is is what’s going to get me to the big leagues and what’s going to keep me
In the big leagues and we is hitting so for all that I love my defense you know I really do love it sometimes it doesn’t love me I always said that throughout my career uh this is what got me here and this is what’s going to stick me in the
Big league so that’s something that I I I I keep through my chest every day and I talk to my brother about this also like if if if you’re going to move me like in 2 years we’re going to have this conversation in one or two years like
Just let let’s just bang it out now you know and in two three years I might be one of the best second basem in the game you know that’s that’s always the way that I view myself I just want to be the best in regardless what position uh
Obviously short start would be nice but I feel like second base is the same there have been some guys on this team that have mve positions in the last couple years and that have had a lot of success at their new positions T and Wright bronin worth Kim does that give
You confidence in moving to a new I feel like they they might be playing a tricky situation with me cuz if I if I win a go glove a second I might retire you know so I might I might I might call it quiz if I actually end up doing that you know
That that to me would be on a personal level extremely uh grateful for that but as I said I came here I I I’ve already won World Series so I wanted to come here and win one here and that’s the main goal and and and hopefully that happen sooner uh
Rather than later so that’s that’s the main goal and if this is the way that they view it as the best way possible then I’m I’m in last conversation with you in San Diego you said it was going to be a long offseason of reflection how
Much did this team not being in the postseason how much did that grind on you uh during these last few months I know some people don’t watch the games afterwards I watch all of them you know I I enjoy watching baseball so we know last year we we kind of ended
Extremely strong but it was just a little too late and this is a new year fresh a lot of fresh faces a lot of fresh faces and uh looking forward to to working with this group this year and and and and getting ready to go think sh
So far just getting to know him on more I mean he came to Aruba you know so we hang out a little bit it was nice it was nice so uh obviously there something nice for a manager to do to go out of his way and do something like that cuz
It’s he was not obligated to do anything like that you know he said you you went to a local restaurant in Aruba I gave him some local food I gave him some local food uh the old kunuku house I gave him some local food and probably so he don’t have
To talk about the position change you know what is a rib food I would say like I mean a lot of seafood probably you know cuz we’re around the water uh goat I mean yeah I mean a lot of like homegrown grown food no no so you don’t
Get a lot in Coronado oh that’s a little tough the closest might be Mexican maybe you know around around there but not like a Ruba yeah
31 Comments
Good guy and great attitude about the move to second. Real team player. And he's right, he could be one of the best overall 2nd basemen in the game.
That's kind-of a bummer for him. Was he even given a choice?
He has $280 million reasons to be okay with this decision! Props to HSK for winning the job 💛🤎💛🤎
Love how Xander handled this. No matter his performance this year I will at least have respect for him and his team first attitude.
There you go folks, XB ain't trippin' so quit trippin'😂
Team player X
Good man Xander! Team first attitude shows leadership by example. We didn’t sign this guy to a long term contract just because he’s a great hitter, he’s also a great teammate and leader in the clubhouse for the rest of the team. Personally I’d like X at 1B and Crone back at 2B. I think X can win an MVP at 1B but what the hell do I know
Class act, thanks for sharing
Good job X 👍🏾. Lego!!!
I’m one of many that think he needs to swap spots with Cronenworth . X at first can be similar to Manny Ramirez or Miggy…
Kim is better at SS than X .
He'll back at SS after Kim leaves for FA; Merrill will be in CF long term
Xander is pissed 😤 Three players playing out of their positions this season. Merrill, Croney, and X. AJ Tingler Preller strikes again. I bet X has never seen an organization like this one. Chaotic and dysfunctional.
Listen to what Foul Territory said about this and AJ Tingler Preller today.
I would rather have him at first
Let's shoot out to be the best defensive infield in the league! Well said X , much respect.
That's how you create team chemistry! No selfishness!
Man it still feels like he's not fully over moving to second… it hasnt really set in yet. Feel kind of bad for the guy…. specially knowing that this team is not a complete team. They had a super team last season and it was all for none., and now with this half team what can they expect to do.
He’s not happy, it obvious from his opening words.
Risk: Disgruntled star with possible clubhouse disaster.
Reward: Mild improvement.
U can tell it bothers him majorly. But he's being a great man about it. Respect. Ball tf out boy lets gooo take it out at the plate 30+ HR season
I like him even more now
Making way for Merril
As a Los Angeles resident, I will be rooting HARD for the Padres this year.
If I had it my way, you'd be playing left field. Both Kim and Jake are better middle infielders than Xander. Or even first base. I don't care what your inflated contract says. You are overpaid for your position.
Real big league move by Xander. Class and professionalism. Lead by example X! 🤎💛🤎💛
Big sacrifice for team and Ha=Seong Kim. Big respect to Xander! I will cheer for you all season for you! Go go Xander!!!💪
He's obviously disappointed, but it is commendable he is putting on this brave face. Still, Mr. frosty tips has to actually perform this year. Last year's numbers were an unmitigated disaster.
Trade Jake
Babe wake up, Marty just posted! 😂 Padres baseball is back 🙌 shout-out Xman for taking it like a true vet with class. "I just wanna win a world series." Truer words have never been spoken. Dont worry bogey, Ha Seong Kims got your back 😤 lets go do this damn thing 🔥 #RipPeterSeidler
was really worried about how he was going to handle this but really respect his professionalism and his ability to adapt. dude wants to win and it shows
I remember when I played little league and the coach wanted me to play another position. I didn’t mind at all and wasn’t even being paid 280 million for it.