Padres Rumors: Team is making a run for Eric Hosmer

If you are keeping up with Padres rumors, you know that San Diego, among other teams, are reportedly pursuing the Kansas City Royals’ Eric Hosmer. Let’s take a closer look.

Along with these Padres rumors, A. J. Preller is under the spotlight and fans are closing watching what decisions and moves the team will make.

The forty-year old Preller received a 3 year  extension to remain the General Manager of Padres through 2022. The Padres remained in hot pursuit of Shohei Ohtani until he decided to sign with the Angels yesterday, and now, per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Padres have an opportunity to land one of the biggest free agents this year.

That’s right!  Come 2018, the Friars could have Eric Hosmer and Wil Myers playing together at the spectacular Petco Park.

Eric Hosmer is an upper echelon first baseman available in free agency.  The Cuban born twenty-eight year old, drafted third overall in the 2008 MLB Draft spent his first seven years with the Royals.  The Friars met with the star free agent yesterday.

Why Eric Hosmer ?

• It is surprising to see Padres’ interest in Eric Hosmer.  Wil Myers is a year younger, plays first base, and recently signed a six-year extension worth $83 million that would keep him in San Diego through 2022.  Per MLB.com, Wil Myers said that he will move to the outfield if the Padres ended up signing Hosmer.

• The Padres failed to land the coveted Shohei Ohtani.  The club is in the rebuilding phase and there definitely is a dearth of superstars.

• Eric Hosmer is a winner and a leader.  He won the world series with the Royals in 2015.  His signing would give the Friars a much-needed veteran presence.  He is only twenty-eight and has barely missed time due to injuries.  Eric Hosmer played all 162 games in 2017 and has missed only 8 games over the last 3 seasons.

• Hosmer is an incredibly reliable fielder at the first base and is a four-time Golden Glove winner.

Eric Hosmer Vs. Wil Myers 

Eric Hosmer has played seven seasons, has an average of 617 AB’s with a batting average of .284, 175 hits, 20 HR’s, 87 RBI’s, slugging rate of .439, OPS of .781, and OBP of .342.

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Lets compare his 2017 stats with the above mentioned average numbers.  Hosmer had 603 AB’s, 192 hits with a batting average of .318, 25 HR’s, slugging rate of .498, OPS of .882 and OBP of .385.  His 2017 numbers are warrant all-star attention and is the primary reason for A.J. Preller’s interest in the south paw.

Now, let’s have a look at how our very own Wil Myers fares in comparison.  Myers has played five seasons in MLB and has an average of 607 AB’s and is hitting .254, 138 hits, 25 HR’s, slugging rate of .438, OPS of .768, 84 RBI’s, OBP of .330.  Wil Myers strikes out a tad more than Eric Hosmer.  In 2017 Myers had a K% of 27.7 compared to Hosmer’s 15.5.

The statistics show a definite advantage to Eric Hosmer despite playing in the pitcher friendly Kauffman park.

Next: Creating a Winning Culture

The coming few days should tell if the Padres will convince Eric Hosmer to play for them.  If they do, only time would tell how Eric Hosmer would work for the Padres.