2017-2018 MLB Free Agents & Whom the Padres Will Have Interest In (Position Players)
Credit: USA Today Sports
Third Baseman
Yunel Escobar/Todd Frazier/Mike Moustakas/Jhonny Peralta/Trevor Plouffe
Todd Frazier would be fun to flirt with. He has some decent upside, and at the age of 32 he should still have plenty left in the gas tank. He is a plus defender with power. He strikes out a ton, but has shown the ability to take a walk. Frazier will likely get a multi-year deal on the open market. The Padres could eye him, but again, the team is crowded in the infield. If Yan Solarte were dealt, then Frazier would make a lot more sense.
Mike Moustakas fits for the team very nicely, but at this point he would probably be too expensive for the current protocol. He provides left-handed power, which the team lacks, but little more for the asking price. He has a lot of question marks and the team would need to invest at least three or four years for him. A hard pass on Moustakas, as the Padres are not yet equipped to compete in MLB.
At the end of the day, the Padres have Solarte, Spangenberg, and Asuaje all capable of playing the position. They also have Christian Villanueva, who performed well late last season for the team. The right-handed-hitting Villanueva could earn a roster spot if one of that trio is dealt this winter. Frazier and Moustakas are interesting to flirt with, but at the end of the day the team will just have to trust the process. If the price bottoms out on both these players, I can see the Padres becoming more interested in them. It would take a lot for this to happen though.
Shortstop
Erick Aybar/Zack Cozart/Alcides Escobar/J.J. Hardy/Eduardo Nunez/Adam Rosales/Stephen Drew
This is a huge area of need and the club could look for a stop-gap here on the open market. Zack Cozart is the best option, but he will surely be looking for at least a three-year deal and $30-plus million dollars. It remains to be seen if the Padres want to make that kind of investment into a 32-year-old who is coming off a career year. The Padres will look into Cozart, but in the end I believe they will take a less risky option. Investing three years into him could turn out to be a really bad idea.
Alcides Escobar makes sense as he should be able to be signed for one year. Erick Aybar is another option as the shortstop already spent time with the Padre organization in 2017 and knows the expectations of manager Andy Green. Both would be nothing more than a one-year option though. Perhaps that is what the team wants. Eduardo Nunez had a great second half last season, but is not someone you can trot out there everyday at shortstop. He is intriguing, but will probably want to go to a winning team.
With Fernando Tatis vaulting up the minor league ranks there is absolutely no reason to get invested into a shortstop long term. Tatis will be ready soon and the team has Javier Guerra and Jose Rondon also in the minors. There are plenty of options for this team internally, but they are a couple of years away from being ready. The Padres should stand pat and look for a trade to fill the position. Either that or sign a veteran to a one-year deal and roll with that.
Outfield
Andre Ethier/Curtis Granderson/Jon Jay/Jay Bruce/Carlos Gonzalez/Seth Smith/Ichiro Suzuki/Melky Cabrera/Austin Jackson/Cameron Maybin/Colby Rasmus/Lorenzo Cain/Matt Holliday/J.D. Martinez
The Padres currently have Manuel Margot and Hunter Renfroe locked into starting jobs for the 2018 season. Both second year players will be assured 150 plus games as along as they are healthy. The third outfield spot (left field) will be a battle between Jose Pirela, Alex Dickerson, Travis Jankowski, Franchy Cordero, and Matt Szczur. The team has options in the outfield for 2018, that is for sure.
There seems like no real need for a new outfielder to bring into the mix, but the Padres will not be opposed to taking a look at some players in the spring. If a major trade happens and the team opens up a spot, Carlos Gonzalez would be awesome for this team. He is coming off a down year and could be signed at a decent price. His left-handed bat could solidify the middle of the order, but the Padres are just not ready to compete at the moment. He is nothing more than a fun player to flirt with.
Ichiro Suzuki is an interesting option for a team that loves marketing itself. He would put people in the stands. Seth Smith and Jon Jay also make sense for the team as left-handed bench options. Both former Friars hit well against right-handed pitching and could potentially play against a tough right-handed pitcher. The team will bring in a few veterans this spring, but do not expect a big name at this point. Not unless a major trade happens.
James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.