Will Venable Likely To Stay In San Diego

When I say “likely” I mean “really with A.J.P. who knows”. Per Dennis Lin of the U-T San Diego, the Padres are going to keep outfielder Will Venable as a backup in case wear and tear on newcomers Wil Myers, Matt Kemp and Justin Upton happen to get injured. Venable will serve as a backup outfielder and a valuable left-handed bat off the bench including starts on rest days for the big three. Venable also serves for great defense, which is something everyone has been shelling on with the big three lacking in defensive skills, mainly Myers patrolling the deep centerfield at Petco Park.

More from Padres News

• Jurickson Profar free agency update likely rules out Padres reunion
• Fernando Tatis Jr. may not take to outfield move after Xander Bogaerts addition
• Padres News: Fernando Tatis Jr. trade rumors, Seth Lugo chase, Manny Machado
• Padres barely missed out on high-end veteran starting pitcher
• This veteran DH target seems ideal for contending Padres roster

Venable’s career average is decent at .252, hitting a career high 22 home runs in 2013. Looks like the Padres still consider him a useful player since they shipped above-average hitter Seth Smith to Seattle recently. Venable is now the longest-tenured Padre on the roster (debuted in 2008) and possibly could serve as a team representative with all the new faces in 2015 clubhouse.

The Padres still needed to make a change this off-season by acquiring the services of Kemp, Myers and Upton since Venable hit a career-low batting average of .224 in 2014. Rumors were swirling to have Venable shipped to the Orioles or Marlins, but those talks have simmered. Amid everything I’ve said so far, A.J. Preller doesn’t sleep so stay tuned.