San Diego Padres: The Eric Hosmer Era Begins For Friars

San Diego Padres fans, rejoice. Eric Hosmer is our new first basemen. Welcome to America’s finest city, Mr. Hosmer. Thank you for choosing our beloved team and city.

I sent out a tweet sometime Friday night saying how my instincts were telling me Eric Hosmer would sign with the San Diego Padres before the first exhibition game. It didn’t state who he would sign with, but there were some nerve-endings firing through my head with that feeling.

In my most recent article, we gave a grade for the off-season lineup additions, in which they were given an A. It also stated that grade could be changed to an A+ if we were to sign a certain first baseman.

Obviously, it’s been upgraded to an A+. When the San Diego Padres are the team signing the most expensive free-agent of the not-so-hot stove season, you know it’s a different time in Padres baseball.

This signing shows this front office and ownership group are truly committed to bringing a championship to San Diego. It shows they will spend money to do so, for the right player and price.

What does landing Eric Hosmer mean to the San Diego Padres?

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• 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

Does Eric Hosmer make the San Diego Padres immediate playoff contenders? Of course not. Are they better today than they were Friday? Absolutely. Mainstream, as well as social media, are all over the place in regards to his signing.

His signing does bring a super-surplus to an already crowded outfield mix, with Will Myers move back to the outfield. Knowing how Friars GM A.J. Preller goes about his business, I would think there is another move or two on the horizon.

Thirty years ago this off-season, the Los Angeles Dodgers signed a player in Kirk Gibson that didn’t have a monster season but brought a championship pedigree and helped them win a World Series. Having such a player cannot be overlooked. Eric Hosmer is that player for the San Diego Padres.

Next: Imagining Renfroe & Prospects For Archer

If the Padres were to get another top of the rotation starter they could compete this year. As of now, I can see them hovering around .500 or a game or two over. This is a better team than last season.