Report: Phillies 'will be eager suitors' for Red Sox All-Star SS Xander Bogaerts

With a record of 77-62, the Philadelphia Phillies currently occupy the second wildcard spot in the National League and are on pace to snap a decade-plus playoff drought. 

While the Phillies' focus is on reaching the postseason, they may also have an eye on the future. 

After adding big-ticket free agent outfielders Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos ahead of the 2022 campaign, the Phils' could be preparing to spend even more this offseason. 

According to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe (h/t MLB Trade Rumors), the Phillies "will be eager suitors" for Boston Red Sox All-Star shortstop Xander Bogaerts. 

Bogaerts signed a six-year, $120 million contract with the Red Sox in 2019, which includes an opt-out after the 2022 season. However, Boston can void the option by adding a seventh year worth $20 million to Bogaerts' deal. 

It's widely believed that Bogaerts will opt out at season's end, as ESPN's Joon Lee first reported last October. And there is a link between Bogaerts and the Phillies. When Bogaerts inked his current deal, Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski was the man in charge in Boston. 

Bogaerts isn't the first shortstop reportedly on the Phillies' radar. In June, USA Today's Bob Nightengale speculated that Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Trea Turner would sign a long-term deal with Philadelphia this upcoming offseason.