Recapping the Padres Biggest 2018 Offseason Moves Thus Far

A.J. Preller is a busy man! No sooner had he signed a lucrative contract to remain the Padres GM through 2022 than he made a flurry of off-season signings in an attempt to strengthen the not so strong links and keep Padres’ fans interested in the uber-competitive NL-West.

While Shohei Ohtani may have passed on the Padres, choosing to play eighty miles north for the Los Angeles Angels, the fans might still have an opportunity to see Eric Hosmer and Wil Myers line up together on the opening day of 2018 season.

ADDITIONS:

CHASE HEADLEY

This move was more of Yankees not willing to lighten their wallet on the thirty-three year old switch hitting third baseman. The Yankees owed Chase Headley $13 million for 2018 and given Preller’s interest, the Yankees General Manager Brain Cashman called this “an opportunity for us to clear some money.” We won’t know what Preller’s intentions are by bringing back Chase Headley but it could be a move to solidify the infield position and add some much-needed veteran presence. Preller could also use him as a potential trade target. Chase Headley’s numbers have been average to say the least. Last year, in 512 AB’s, he had a hitting average of .273 with 61 RBI’s.

BRYAN MITCHELL

The Padres might have uncovered a potential starter in the form of Bryan Mitchell. In his nine starts, the twenty-six year old Mitchell has a 3.76 ERA in 40 2/3 innings.

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Andy Green, at the time of the acquisition said “He pitched in the bullpen, pitched in a starter’s role every now and again. (The Yankees) were never able to give him the consistent opportunity, which we think he’ll thrive in.” Bryan Mitchell should fit into the starting rotation given the limited depth of the current Padre pitching line up.

FREDDY GALVIS

This is probably the best acquisition of the off-season. The Padres are probably a season or two away from unleashing their top prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. The Venezuelan born, twenty-eight year old Galvis, an elite defensive shortstop who fell short of winning the Golden Glove award for the second successive year. He possesses an impressive fielding percentage of .989. He finished the 2017 season with a batting stat line of .255/.309/.382 with 61 RBI’s and 12 homers. His homer numbers for 2017 were slightly lower than the above average twenty homers he had in 2016. For comparisons, Allen Cordoba had a stat line of .208/.282/.579 and the thirty-four year old Erick Aybar managed an average of .234 with OBP of .300 and slugging percentage of .348.

KAZUHISHA MAKITA

This move is another master stroke by the Padres and A.J. Preller. Makita, a submarine style pitcher will bolster the bullpen significantly. Carter Capps. Craig Stammen, Brad Hand and Makita could hopefully form a formidable relieving unit. It would also give Friars the flexibility to trade Brad Hand for a handsome reward.

EDWARD OLIVARES

This is an exciting move for the Padre organization. Edward Olivares, the twenty-one year old Venezuelan born outfielder seamlessly meshes into the already strong farm system the Friars possess. Here is an exclusive write-up on Olivares by our very own Nick Stevens.

DEDUCTIONS:

Yangervis Solarte, Travis Wood, Jose Ruiz, Ryan Schimpf, Jabari Blash, Christian Friedrich, Jared Cosart,

As the Eric Hosmer wait continues, every Padre fan hopes that the plethora of off-season moves translate into W’s.

Next: Analyzing Padres Prospects Mackenzie Gore and Adrian Morejon

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