Padres’ options at first base after Josh Naylor comes off the market

The Padres are a team that will be eyeing the first base market, either via trade or by signing someone for cheap. While not the most important need for the team heading into the winter, it is definitely a position that is set to see change, with Luis Arráez and Ryan O’Hearn potentially on their way out.

If they were to make a move at first base, it would likely be via trade or by moving Jake Cronenworth over from second. The reason why free agency wouldn’t be the best way to address the need is the scarcity on the market. The Seattle Mariners inked Josh Naylor to a new five-year contract on Sunday, removing one of the top two options from the open market (the other being Pete Alonso).

Padres’ options at first base after Josh Naylor comes off the market

Naylor’s contract is worth $92.5 million with a no-trade clause, and it will pave the way in setting market values for other first basemen on the market. In particular Pete Alonso who may now be too pricey for San Diego to pay, considering the crunch on the payroll they have.

While it would’ve been nice to see Alonso or Naylor in brown and yellow, there are a few alternatives available that would not only be cheap but also provide offensive value.

Rhys Hoskins is one of those under-the-radar guys who could pack a punch on offense for a cheap price. Hoskins, 32, is expected to earn only $7 million in 2026.

The Padres could also evaluate the trade market and fulfill the need that way, as plenty of teams are set to retool their roster. One of those teams is the Philadelphia Phillies, who are taking offers on third baseman Alec Bohm, who also has the ability to play first. Bohm, 29, is set to earn $10 million this upcoming season.

Other trade candidates:

• Ryan Mountcastle - Baltimore ($6.5 million)
• Yandy Diaz - Tampa Bay ($12 million)
• Jake Bauers - Milwaukee ($1.7 million)

It would be fun to go hunting for a big fish in San Diego, but there are too many holes in the starting rotation as well as the infield to break the bank. That’s why it would be wise to evaluate the trade market for reliable guys who have experience. I expect president of baseball operations A.J. Preller to follow this approach.