November 29th, 2022 at 8:00 am 
by 0799291000348 The off-season is a mixed blessing after the long regular and postseason schedule. Many diehard fans need the emotional break but soon miss their favorite sports fix.
To stave off the withdrawals from a game that keeps us company from the Spring to the better part of Fall, many turn to the “hot stove” chatter to see how their teams will shape up next season.
Like many teams faced with hard payroll decisions, Los Angeles had its fair share of players hitting free agency following the final out of the 2022 World Series, most notably, their shortstop, 29-year-old Trea Turner. The two-time All-Star, who played for the team for a year and a half, recently rejected his qualifying offer and is now entertaining his options.
(Ron Cervenka and Gary A. Vasquez)
With the hole in the lineup, the Dodgers can move infielder Gavin Lux to that position to plug the hole in their roster. However, some will argue that the team should look for a more experienced “captain of the infield,” as shortstops are often referred.
The most recent rumor to hit the hot stove is that infielder Xander Bogaerts has sparked some interest in Southern California. The two-time World Series champion shortstop would potentially be a good fit … for the right price. He has been with the Boston Red Sox since his MLB debut on August 20, 2013 and just hit free agency.
(Paul Rutherford)
In his time with Boston, the Aruba native amassed five Silver Slugger awards and is a four-time All-Star. In his 557 at-bats last year, he had an excellent .307 batting average, with 171 hits and 15 home runs.
The Boys in Blue could definitely use the offensive boost with his consistent hitting power. Couple that with his ability to field at shortstop and even third base, and he could be a viable option for LA. The only challenge is the Dodgers are not alone in their interest in him.
Despite Boston allowing Bogaerts to hit free agency, they would still like him back. He has attracted the attention of some National League teams – the San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, and Philadelphia Phillies are all part of a growing list. Plus, the Minnesota Twins from the American League are also poking around.
Regardless of where Bogaerts lands, the Dodgers have quite a few roster moves to make. If they can land him, that is one less worry on their plate.
Spring Training will be here before we know it. Here’s to seeing what the coming months bring and how the team grows while the hot stove keeps us all warm.
Let’s Go Dodgers!
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If the Dodgers do not bring Trea back, Bogaerts would be my first choice as his replacement.
Definitely better than adding the Houston Cheatos guy (Correa). The more I consider Bogaerts the more sense he makes for the Dodgers. Fangraphs free agency scouting report noted that Bogaerts has always been a hitter first with passable defense, but having turned 30 in October his days at SS are likely one or two years, then a move to third is likely. Currently, there are no high profile Dodgers prospects at third base. And, in the next couple of years Amaya or Leonard could be ready to take over as the regular SS. The wild card is Dansby Swanson. Can his buddy Freddie Freeman lure him to LA? Swanson should be paid much less than Trea Turner, Correa, and Bogaerts.
I am a Trea Turner fan and hope he returns, but Bogaerts is intriguing option. I think he is a friend of Mookie Betts.