3 players Padres fans can’t trust heading into the 2022 season

Can fans trust the San Diego Padres roster in 2022?

The San Diego Padres didn’t really make any splashes in free agency this spring, claiming that their roster was pretty much good to go.

But fans have their doubts, and rightfully so. There are several pitchers returning from injury, and a few more who just need bounce-back seasons. Add in Fernando Tatis Jr.’s injury, and the roster looks far from a sure thing.

Here are three players Padres fans should be wary of heading into the regular season…

Eric Hosmer

This one’s pretty obvious, as Hosmer has never really lived up to his blockbuster contract. The Padres gave him an 8-year, $144M deal ahead of the 2018 season, the richest signing in franchise history at the time. Four seasons in, his batting average is twenty points lower than it was with the Royals, and he’s only hit 20+ homers once, compared to back-to-back 25-homer seasons before he left Kansas City.

Hosmer is far from the worst hitter in the game, but he’s certainly not matching his hefty pricetag. The Padres have been “aggressively” trying to trade him, to no avail.

Awards don’t mean everything, but it’s worth pointing out that Hosmer won four Gold Gloves and a Silver Slugger with the Royals, but hasn’t won anything since.