Xander Bogaerts

position | shortstop  bats | right  throws | right

2023 age >> 30
Contract status >> Signed through 2033

Teams >> Red Sox (2013-22), Padres (present)
Career statistics >> Baseball-Reference.com
Signed >> Agreed to an 11-year, $280 million contract on Dec. 8, 2022

Resume
>> All-MLB first team (2019)
>> Four-team All-Star (2016, 19, 21-22)
>> Top 10 in MVP voting (2019, 22)

2022 NL All-Star team

Manny Machado, who led the league in fWAR and led the Padres to their first (full season) playoff appearance in 16 seasons, is my pick as National League Player of the Year.

Machado hit .298/.366/.531 with 30 home runs, 102 RBIs and 100 runs. He emerged as a leader, too.

Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado of the Cardinals and Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman were also worthy candidates.

Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara was the league’s best pitcher, and Atlanta featured the league’s top rookies: center fielder Michael Harris and pitcher Spencer Strider.

The Mets lead the All-Star team with five players, plus manager Buck Showalter. The Cardinals and Phillies placed two players each. The Dodgers, with a team-record 111 wins, added Mookie Betts.

Albert Pujols hit his 700th career home run and bookended his career with home runs in his first at-bat at Busch Stadium and his final at-bat at Busch. Pujols, who hit .323/.388/.715 with 18 home runs in the second half of the season, might be the best first basemen of all time.
— Kevin Brewer

Juan Soto

position | right field  bats | left  throws | left

2023 age >> 24
2022 salary >> $17.1 million
Contract status >> Signed through 2022
Arbitration eligible >> 2023
Earliest free agent >> 2025

Career statistics >> Baseball-Reference.com
Teams >> Nationals (2018-22), Padres (22-present)
Traded >> by the Nationals with 1B Josh Bell to the Padres for 1B Luke Voit, LHP MacKenzie Gore, OF Robert Hassell III, SS C.J. Abrams, OF James Wood and RHP Jarlin Susana on Aug. 2, 2022.

Resume
>> All-MLB first team (2020-21)
>> All-MLB second team (2019)
>> Two-time All-Star (2021-22)
>> Top 10 in MVP voting (2019-21)

League leader
>> Batting average (2020)
>> On-base percentage (2020-21)
>> Slugging percentage (2020)
>> Walks (2021)
>> Intentional walks (2020-21)