Fansided

Predicting the biggest free-agent regrets of the Padres’ offseason

By Gabrielle Starr |
Jul 24, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Nelson Cruz (23) flies out against the Cleveland Indians in the ninth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 24, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Nelson Cruz (23) flies out against the Cleveland Indians in the ninth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
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The Padres didn’t make a single big free-agent signing

While their rivals up the coast signed Freddie Freeman and generally continued to spend like the luxury tax doesn’t exist, the San Diego Padres didn’t make a single big-free agent signing when the best names were still on the market.

So, how are they expected to compete with the Dodgers and Padres? They’re not, especially now that Fernando Tatis Jr. has a fractured wrist and won’t be game-ready for approximately three months.

The Dodgers’ lineup only got stronger, while the Padres lost their biggest bat for a significant portion of the season and only added Luke Voit, via trade from the New York Yankees.

Now, of course, the Padres couldn’t sign all of these free agents, but here are three they’ll probably regret not getting…

1. Freddie Freeman

If only to keep him off the Dodgers.

Half-kidding.

Freeman is a superb talent with extensive postseason experience, which would help a team that’s never won one in franchise history. He’s a Gold Glove infielder, three-time Silver Slugger, former NL MVP, and a defending World Series champion. He’s also an Orange County native, meaning the Padres had just as much of a SoCal advantage as the Dodgers.

In Freeman, the Dodgers got a career .295/.384.509, .893 OPS hitter in the regular season and a .290/.393/.523, .916 OPS hitter in the postseason.

Jul 24, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Nelson Cruz (23) flies out against the Cleveland Indians in the ninth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 24, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Nelson Cruz (23) flies out against the Cleveland Indians in the ninth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Nelson Cruz

Since the National League implemented the DH this year, the market for Nelson Cruz expanded considerably. At one point, the Dodgers and Padres were rumored to be the final contenders for the veteran power-hitter, who’s averaged 39 home runs per 162 games over his 17-year career.

Dating back to his first full MLB season in 2009, Cruz has four 40+ home-run seasons and eight with 30 or more, including his age-40 season last year. Even though he’ll turn 42 this summer, he’s still got more power in his bat than plenty of players half his age.

Having Cruz as a DH would have been great no matter what, but especially now that Tatis is sidelined for months. The young superstar led the NL with 42 home runs, but was the only player on the Padres roster with more than 30, meaning Cruz would have been his runner-up.

Instead, Cruz signed a one-year deal with the Washington Nationals for $15M, with a mutual option for the following season.

Oct 14, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants center fielder Kris Bryant (23) hits an infield single against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning in game five of the 2021 NLDS at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants center fielder Kris Bryant (23) hits an infield single against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning in game five of the 2021 NLDS at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Kris Bryant

Kris Bryant plays more than half of the defensive positions, so he would bring depth to any baseball diamond, plus he’s quite a slugger.

And unlike Nelson Cruz, who spent all but one year of his 17-year career in the American League, Bryant has spent his entire 7-year career in the National League. He has a lifetime .278/.376/.504 line and .880 OPS, and averages 31 home runs per 162 games.

For a Padres squad that’s been dealing with plenty of injuries, Bryant’s heartiness would be a welcome change; he’s played 144+ games in five of his six seasons (excluding the 60-game 2020 season). And, he has experience at third and first base, as well as all three outfield spots. Who wouldn’t want all that on their team?

Bryant ended up signing in the division, just not with the Padres. He got a blockbuster deal from the Colorado Rockies, of all teams.

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