Padres: Three less obvious DH candidates for 2020

Wil Myers and Josh Naylor figure to make the most sense in the DH role. Who else on the Padres could see time there?

When baseball returns at the end of July – and hopefully it is safe enough to do so – one of the most beneficial caveats for the Padres in return-to-play plan is the addition of the designated hitter.

It had long been rumored as being potentially included as part of the league’s next collective bargaining agreement, which is set to expire after the 2021 season. And while baseball traditionalists won’t be fond of the idea, it’s certainly going to benefit the Padres in the upcoming 60-game season.

Aside from no longer having to watch the pitcher strike out with runners-in-scoring-position, having the DH opens up some doors on the Padres roster, one that could have been challenging to find playing time for everyone under normal circumstances.

Wil Myers and Josh Naylor would appear to be the most obvious solutions to transition into the designated hitter role. Utilizing Myers in that capacity would allow Franchy Cordero regular playing time, assuming he remains healthy, of course. The move could also accommodate the impending promotion of Taylor Trammell, who performed well in Spring Training.

Cordero could potentially be a candidate as well, but other than Myers, Josh Naylor makes the most sense as the team’s designated hitter. The former Marlins farmhand hit .269 with eight home runs and 19 RBI in the second half last year, and his .936 fielding percentage further justifies the transition.

Who are some other less obvious candidates that could see time as the designated hitter in 2020?