Ranking 3 first basemen the Padres should prioritize in free agency

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The San Diego Padres smartly started the offseason by re-signing Nick Martinez and Robert Suarez. The moves quell concerns about Bob Melvin’s starting rotation and bullpen, as Martinez is capable of performing both roles at a high level, and Suarez could take over the closer role if Josh Hader leaves after 2023.

While the pitching staff could use more reinforcements and left field is currently vacant after Jurickson Profar declined his player option for 2023, the Padres’ biggest remaining hole is first base and designated hitter. Knowing how AJ Preller operates, he’ll likely knock out two birds with one stone in that regard.

But whom exactly should top San Diego’s shopping list? Anthony Rizzo felt like a perfect target, and was even linked to the Friars before the offseason started, but he has since re-signed with the Yankees for $34 million over two years.

With Rizzo off the market, let’s take a look at three first basemen/DHs the Padres should prioritize in free agency.

3 first basemen Padres should prioritize in free agency

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 19: Josh Bell #24 of the San Diego Padres (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /

3. Josh Bell

The Padres likely acquired Bell at the deadline with the intention of re-signing him to a multiyear contract in the offseason. Maybe he was just included in the Juan Soto mega-deal to help Washington shed salary, but Bell’s first half was indicative of a player any team would love to have in the middle of its lineup.

In 437 plate appearances with the Nationals, Bell hit .301/.384/.493 with 14 home runs, a 143 wRC+ and an .877 OPS. For whatever reason, Bell never got off the ground with the Padres, slumping to a .192/.316/.271 line in 53 games before breaking out in the NLCS against the Phillies with a .353 average and three RBI.

The question Preller has to ask himself is if he’s willing to trade Bell’s extended down periods for his scalding hot stretches.

At the end of the day, Bell is a switch-hitter who draws walks in over 10% of his plate appearances — which fits San Diego’s hitting philosophy — has three seasons with at least 25 home runs, and owns a strong hard-contact percentage and low strikeout rate compared to the league average.

We wouldn’t make Bell a top priority, but he’d be a solid consolation prize if the Padres whiff on these next two names. While Bell struggled post-trade, he can’t be any worse than he was in the second half, and he came alive in October.

Sep 22, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Houston Astros first baseman Trey Mancini (26) prior to his at bat in the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Trey Mancini

Mancini made an inspiring comeback from colon cancer that sidelined him for the COVID-shortened 2020 season. He has the respect of the entire league, is a treasured clubhouse presence and his leadership would be a tremendous fit on a Padres team whose core comprises of young players just entering their primes.

In two seasons with Baltimore and Houston since beating cancer, Mancini hit .251/.326/418 with 39 home runs and 134 RBI. The 30-year-old’s power numbers plummeted after the Orioles — much to the chagrin of sluggers throughout MLB — expanded Oriole Park’s dimensions, but he’s still capable of hitting between 15-30 home runs and driving in 60-80 runs with a .respectable 340 OBP per season.

The Padres would likely make Mancini their everyday first baseman, but he has the versatility to play both corner outfield positions, allowing Bob Melvin to get creative with his lineup and defensive alignment late in games.

Mancini isn’t the feared slugger he was earlier in is career with Baltimore, but now two full seasons removed from his bout with cancer, Mancini is poised to rebound from a sluggish second half of 2022 and October with the Astros.

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

1. Jose Abreu

Per MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, the Padres have made Abreu “a top priority” this offseason, and it’s easy to see why. Another respected clubhouse leader, Abreu remains one of baseball’s most vaunted sluggers in his mid 30s.

In 2022, Abreu hit .304/.378/.446 with 15 homers, 75 RBI and 40 doubles. It marked his fourth consecutive season with an OPS north of .800. It’s unclear how much longer the soon-to-be 36-year-old will be a productive first basemen, but San Diego likely wouldn’t offer him more than a two- or three-year deal.

It’s this simple: Abreu is one of the top free agents available at any position. Over the last three seasons, the three-time All-Star boasts a .289/.365/.489 slash line with 64 homers, 252 RBI and ranks 14th in on-base percentage and 26th in slugging among 118 qualified players, per MLB Trade Rumors.

The idea of slotting Abreu in the middle of the lineup next to Manny Machado, who finished second in NL MVP voting, Fernando Tatis Jr., Juan Soto and the perennially underrated Jake Cronenworth would give the Padres four sluggers capable of mashing 20-30 home runs and driving in more than 80 runs.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 03: Jose Abreu #79 of the Chicago White Sox singles during the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Guaranteed Rate Field on August 03, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

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