Recent Non-Tenders Could Help Padres Fill Holes

On Tuesday, Major League Baseball’s deadline for formally offering contracts to players who were eligible for arbitration,as well as those players who had yet to reach arbitration eligible status, passed at midnight. Thus, any player who did not receive an offer ( labeled “non-tendered) immediately became free agents on Tuesday.

Overall, 32 players were giving their walking papers, including 15 positions players, with the Padres cutting ties with former All-Star Padre shortstop Everth Cabrera. Sixteen pitchers were also non-tendered are now currently on the market for those looking for possible pitching help.

What follows are the five best non-tendered/free agents that could help the Padres in 2015

Sep 10, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets left fielder Eric Young Jr. (22) singles to center advancing a man during the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

1.Outfielder Eric Young Jr
Young,29, played in 100 games for the Mets in 2014, hit .229 with one home run and 17 RBIs, resulting in an unimpressive slash of line of .229/.299/.311. But perhaps most importantly, he stole 30 bases. In fact, Young, stole 138 bases in six Major League seasons, and lead the National League with 46 in 2013.What Young could give the Padres is flexibility. He can play all three spots in the outfield as well as second, short and third.

Padres Outlook: Two of teams’ current outfielders, Will Venable and Cameron Maybin, are average Triple-A players a best. Maybe good players at Double-A. Regardless, since I know the Padres will keep Venable and Maybin on the opening day roster, Eric Young could make a nice impact defensively and on the bases as a fourth or fifth outfielder, and with the loss of Cabrera, provide some spark at the leadoff spot.

Mar 16, 2012; Peoria, AZ, USA; San Diego Padres left fielder Kyle Blanks (88) during an at bat during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at the Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

2. First Baseman/Outfielder Kyle Blanks
A blast from the past. Last May, the Padres traded Blanks to A’s for Jake Goebbert and Ronald Herrera. During his tenure in Oakland, in 21 games, Blanks, 28, hit .333, with two homers and seven RBIs, with a slash line of .333/.446/489. In 21 games, Blanks struck out 13 times in 45 ABs.

In his six season in San Diego, Blanks put up a slash line of .228/.310/.401, while hitting 28 home runs and driving in 98 in 239 games.

Padres Outlook: Yonder Alonso is not a very good baseball player. Over the last three years, Alonso has played in 218 of 486 regular season game, and driven 108 over the same period. The best thing the team could do for themselves and Alonso is send him to El Paso to start the year and, based on the results, the team can go from there. I’d like to see the Padres sign Blanks and give hime some serious ABs. Another possible solution, and I don’t know if this is feasible, but start Carlos Quentin at first.

Sep 14, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays pinch hitter John Mayberry Junior (9) hits a home run against Tampa Bay Rays in the ninth inning to tie the game at Rogers Centre. Tampa Bay won 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports

3.Outfielder/First Baseman John Mayberry
Mayberry had some semi-solid years with the Phillies, including hitting .245 in 2012, while hitting 14 homers and driving in 46. Over a seven year career, Mayberry put up a slash line of .241/.305/.429, plus he plays solid defense, can play all three outfield spots, as well as first base.

Padres Outlook: Again, Alonso is not a very good baseball player, and he is at best mediocre defensively at first base. Adding another outfielder and someone who could play first would give the Padres certain amount of flexibility, not only in the outfield but also at first, and potentially a several bargaining chips in future trades.

Aug 24, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Juan Francisco follows through on a seventh-inning sacrifice fly against the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

4.Infielder Juan Francisco
Francisco may be the most intriguing player on this list. He has raw power, hitting 18 home runs between Atlanta and Milwaukee in 2013. In 2014, Francisco, hit 16 home runs and drove in 43, finishing with a slash line of .220/.291/.456. In his six years in the big leagues, Fracisco ran a line of .236/.297/.439.

Padres Outlook: If the Padres do want to add power without having to give up prospects, this is their guy. Francisco will strikeout, but will also hit his share of home runs. This could be a quick fix to the Padres offensive woes, even if it is in a 1B/3B platoon situation.

Oct 3, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Kris Medlen (54) throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning of game one of the National League divisional series playoff baseball game at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

5. Right-hander Kris Medlen. The former Braves pitcher put up solid number in Atlanta last year, going 15-12 with 3.11 ERA. In his five years with the Braves, Medlen. 29, went 34-20 with 2.95 ERA, started 61 games and in pitched 512.2 innings. He also struck out 434, while walking 121. Assuming (baring a trade) three of the spots in the rotation are spoken for by Tyson Ross, Andrew Cashner and Ian Kennedy.That leaves Odrisamer Despaigne, Jesse Hahn, Casey Kelley (and possibly Josh Johnson and Cory Luebke) all fighting for a spot.

Padres Outlook: In a game that believes you can never have too many quality pictures, especially after last year’s rash of reconstructive surgeries, signing Medlen could some depth to an already deep staff, and a little completion never hurt anyone. If can’t sign big-name offensive free agents, you might as well stock up on pitching. And again, having a surplus of pitching, could work well for the Padres in the long run.