Sunday Brunch: Who’s on First For The Padres?

One of the big decisions that A.J. Preller has to figure out for the San Diego Padres is what to do at first base.  The former Padres brain trust decided to keep Yonder Alonso over Anthony Rizzo and flip Rizzo into Andrew Cashner.  Rizzo hit 32 homeruns this past season for the Chicago Cubs and made the All-Star team. Alonso has 27 homers in his ENTIRE career.

Back in 2012, Alonso put together a nice season, compiling a .273/.343/.398 season with nine homers and 62 RBI. The past two seasons, he’s failed to play more than 100 games in either due to various ailments. Preller has to decide if Alonso can be a part of the plan moving forward.

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The free agent market isn’t that great. I don’t think Michael Cuddyer will be coming to San Diego. I don’t think Mike Morse or Corey Hart would be the answer.

There are three players with options to watch in Adam LaRoche, Billy Butler and Adam Lind.

I think LaRoche would be a great fit. A veteran, left-handed power bat would be a nice fit for the Padres. I can’t see the Nats keeping LaRoche because Ryan Zimmerman has to move to first because he can’t play third anymore. They have Anthony Rendon for that.

Butler has been a huge part of the Royals run in the playoffs so they may keep him. Lind has had his own history of injuries and may have to find a home with an AL club so he can DH.

Alonso may find himself squeezed out in SD because he just couldn’t stay healthy, and when he did, wasn’t super productive. I think Preller may look to make a change over at first and he should.