Since last year, it’s been clear that the San Diego Padres intend to improve at first base. Eric Hosmer has been performing up and down since arriving in California and we know the team tried to trade him last year.
Freddie Freeman’s name isn’t circulating in San Diego, but the other first basemen on the market could land there. We are potentially talking about Anthony Rizzo and even Matt Olson.
It’s the first time the A’s player has been linked with the Padres, but according to Dennis Lin, expect the Padres to be in the mix for Olson.
I imagine seeing Bob Melvin as the new manager in San Diego has something to do with it all.
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Could the Padres use Dinelson Lamet or Robert Suarez as a closer if they don’t acquire one via free agency or trade?
But in reality, whether Hosmer is traded or not, the arrival of the universal pick hitter could help accommodate both guys at the same time.
After all, the last four years of Eric Hosmer’s contract won’t magically leave the Padres books.
Adding a left-handed hitter like Matt Olson would help the Padres, but he wouldn’t be traded on the cheap. After all, many teams will be in the mix – especially those who lost the Freddie Freeman derby, actually.
Olson is still under control of the A’s for two more seasons. Also remember that the formation of Oakland should sell everything that moves in 2022 in order to save money, as we often see within the club.
