Phillies rumors: Club eyeing 2-time World Series champion for 2023 infield

The Phillies are reported to have “real interest” in shortstop Xander Bogaerts.

The Philadelphia Phillies got an unexpected taste of the World Series under President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski this fall.

A team that was once seven games under .500 in early June turned their season around under a new manager — not only reaching the postseason for the first time in 11 years, but coming as close as two wins from the franchise’s third World Series championship.

Now, it seems Dombrowski has his sights set on not only raising a third red championship flag at Citizens Bank Park next season, but as well as securing a third title for a future Hall of Fame shortstop.

According to baseball scribe Jon Heyman, the Phillies are “believed to have real interest” in four-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger Award winner, Xander Bogaerts:

Earlier in the day, Héctor Gómez listed the Phillies as among the clubs who have shown interest in Bogaerts, while also reporting the Boston Red Sox as the favorites to sign the 30-year-old.

Bogaerts played many seasons under Dombrowski in Boston. The long-time Red Sox star debuted in 2013 and over 10 seasons, has logged 308 doubles, 156 home runs, 683 RBI and a .292/.356/.458 slash line over more than 1,200 games.

Almost two months ago to the day, the Boston Globe interestingly reported that the Phillies will be an “eager suitor” for Bogaerts.

Bogaerts may very well be the “Plan B” option in the Phillies are unable to sign fellow star shortstop Trea Turner — who would be reuniting with his former Washington Nationals teammate Bryce Harper if a deal is agreed upon.

One of a Bogaerts-Dombrowski or Turner-Harper reunion coming to fruition seems to be in the cards this offseason for a franchise seeking to repeat as National League champions and build on their improbable 2022 season under manager Rob Thomson.