San Diego Padres Roster Dilemma: Who Stays, Who Goes?

The San Diego Padres have a ton of decisions to make. Bringing in free-agent Eric Hosmer creates bedlam for the Friars’ projected roster spots that haven’t already been solidified. Let’s try to sort all of this out.

Ok folks, here we are. The San Diego Padres went out an got the guy who they think would best fit the bill as the face of their franchise for the next half-dozen or so years. Even though they really didn’t need a first-baseman, adding a guy like Hosmer for the terms on which they did is a tough choice to decide against.

Friars GM A.J. Preller saw the opportunity to make his team better, and he did. The fallout that is sure to follow for the Padres, while it may be foundation-shaking, will ultimately make them a better team in the long-term.

Having to possibly say goodbye to potential future-stars like Hunter Renfroe or even a guy like Cory Spangenberg would sting, no doubt. But in the big picture, it would benefit the San Diego Padres to continue to stockpile their farm system with top prospects, which is exactly what either of these guys would bring back (Renfroe, more than Spangenberg, most likely).

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The San Diego Padres have a capable Jose Pirela, who can play left-field and also some second base, now projected to become strictly a bench-player, with Wil Myers moving into the crowded Friars’ outfield in the wake of the Hosmer signing.

Spangenberg can backup at third base, second base, and in left-field. Unfortunately, Travis Jankowski can play all three outfield positions and provide a little more pop at the plate while doing it.

If Christian Villanueva impresses manager Andy Green and the rest of the Padres’ coaching staff/front-office in spring training, there’s even more drama added to the Opening Day 25-man roster decision-making process.

For instance, if Chase Headley looks to still be Chase Headley in his second stint in San Diego, he would be the leading candidate to be named the starting third-baseman. But if Villanueva plays well and Pirela looks good at second, there’s a definite possibility (my favorite oxymoron, by far) Spangenberg could be the odd-man out.

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By hypothetically finding a trade-partner for Cory Spangenberg, it would open up the roster spot that would be needed to keep Hunter Renfroe with the San Diego Padres. By all accounts, he has the higher-ceiling as an MLB player.

And, although he may not have an every-day position, if (read: when) he develops into an above-average player, the Friars will be happy he’s still here with them. And down the line, if Renfroe keeps developing nicely, his trade-value will be even higher than it is now.

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