Padres' NLDS roster decision could be questioned with Xander Bogaerts issue

Putting together a postseason roster is never easy. There are always a few guys who potentially deserve a spot, though there may be only one open slot to battle for. For the San Diego Padres, they have a stacked roster, so there weren't really any issues when naming their 26.

But they may be kicking themselves for leaving Nick Ahmed off the NLDS roster. The 34-year-old Gold Glover did not find his name on the active list, which may come back to bite San Diego, especially after Game 2.

Starting shortstop Xander Bogaerts was injured after hitting a home run in the eighth inning as part of a 10-2 victory to even the series 1-1 with the Dodgers. Bogaerts was cited for having a cramped hamstring, which saw him pulled him from the wild game.

“There was still a little bit of dehydration,” Padres manager Mike Shildt told the San Diego Union-Tribune on Monday. “ … We don’t feel there’s anything that’s going to compromise him. We’ll find out more today after he gets treatment, but we’re optimistic.”

The Union-Tribune also mentioned that Bogaerts did not make himself available for comment on Monday in San Diego and did not partake in the team's light workout, which does perhaps suggest this was more than a cramping issue.

Then, looking at Bogaerts next two performances, he's gone 1-for-7 with a run scored, an RBI and a walk. He also made a pretty unsightly error in Game 4 as he was making his way to his left to make a play on a grounder, too.

If there was a world in which the Padres had to give Bogaerts rest or opted to, say, move him to the DH spot to ensure they had the best defense possible, Ahmed would've been the perfect play over Tyler Wade, who came on late to replace Bogaerts in Game 2. Ahmed is a veteran and former Gold Glover while Wade is more of a utility/speed option off the bench.

Wade has logged a negative dWAR in each of the last four seasons compared to Ahmed's 0.3. It isn't a crazy difference, but when we are splitting hairs, a veteran Gold Glover is probably the better answer when it comes to deciding who to start in the playoffs against Los Angeles. Neither guy is terrific on offense, so that's a moot point.

Ahmed has been on the NL West carousel in 2024, playing for the Giants, Dodgers and Padres. He was picked up by San Diego on Aug. 31, perhaps signifying an interest to place a veteran on the playoff roster. That obviously did not happen, and we're hoping it doesn't affect the Padres as they head toward a do-or-die Game 5 where they will need Bogaerts to step up on both sides of the ball.