3 low-cost free agents Padres can target with limited offseason budget

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If you think the San Diego Padres have holes in their roster, you're correct. If you think they've got unlimited funds to patch those holes, you haven't been paying attention.

The Padres have raised the white flag on free agent spending this offseason. While the team's coffers are not completely empty, don't expect the Friars to be shelling out multi-year deals with an average annual value north of $15 million per season.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today predicted the Padres would stay quiet this offseason and have $20 million remaining in their budget. While that's of little comfort when San Diego is trying to keep pace with top contenders like the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers, there are some low-cost free agent signings that could help fill out the Padres roster.

Padres could target free agent outfielder Jesse Winker

Jesse Winker is the quintessential low-risk/high-reward type of signing that AJ Preller would love. Winker, who rose to prominence with the Cincinnati Reds and was an All-Star in 2021, has fallen on hard times of late. But his potential is through the roof.

Now, Winker's fielding leaves a lot to be be desired. He can play left field, but is probably better suited to be a designated hitter. But it's Winker's bat, not his glove, that makes this signing intriguing. Winker posted an .888 OPS during his first four major league seasons, but has been a shell of himself since leaving Cincinnati.

Over the past two seasons, while splitting time between the Seattle Mariners and Milwaukee Brewers, Winker has hit just .214/.337/.318 and has only 15 home runs. He also battled injuries in 2023, appearing in just 61 games.

Preller could easily work out an incentive-laden contract with Winker's representation, offering the 30-year-old a chance at redemption. If Winker returns to his All-Star form, he represents the type of left-handed hitting power-bat the Friars need heading into next season.

Padres could target free agent outfielder Aaron Hicks

Aaron Hicks is a California native, so why not bring him home? Despite an absolutely horrific start to the 2023 season, which ultimately ended his time in pinstripes, Hicks was able to bounce back after landing with the New York Yankees' AL East rival.

Hicks hit his stride in Baltimore. The Orioles had nothing to lose and everything to gain after picking up the veteran outfielder. Hicks posted a slash line of just .188/.263/.261 in the Bronx before being unceremoniously designated for assignment.

The O's swooped in, picked him up, and never looked back. Hicks hit .275/.381/.425 with Baltimore and also obliterated left-handed pitching. The veteran posted a .970 OPS against southpaws last season.

Hicks is a switch-hitter, who obviously performs better against lefties, but would still give new manager Mike Shildt some flexibility to mix-and-match the lineup as he sees fit. Hicks is also a versatile fielder who's primary responsibilities were in center field throughout most of his Yankees' tenure, but he was used in both corner outfield spots last season.

The Padres outfield, at the moment, is Fernando Tatis Jr. and a whole lot of question marks. San Diego traded Juan Soto and is not going to sign a high-priced free agent like Cody Bellinger, but maybe Hicks would provide enough in 2024 to help keep the Friars afloat in the National League West.

Padres could target free agent pitcher Alex Wood

As much as the Padres need left-handed hitters, they just as desperately need left-handed pitchers. San Diego's rotation has taken a major hit this winter, and if Preller doesn't go the trade route in order to make upgrades, the Padres President of Baseball Operations may have to rely on free agency.

There's no shortage of left-handers available on the open market, but quantity doesn't always mean quality. Pitchers like Hyun-Jin Ryu, James Paxton and Danny Duffy don't really offer much upside or excitement.

But maybe a familiar face would help the Padres pitching staff in 2024. Alex Wood has spent much of his career in the state of California. The lefty played for five years at Chavez Ravine and spent the past three seasons in the Bay Area pitching for the San Francisco Giants.

Wood showed versatility this past season, starting 12 games while coming out of the 'pen 17 times as a reliever. The veteran covered just less than 100 innings in 2023 and owned a 4.33 ERA. Wood is unlikely to return to his All-Star-level form (2017), but the southpaw can act as a stabilizing force in the Padres rotation or the bullpen.

San Diego needs to find some way to bolster its beleaguered starting rotation. Wood has had tremendous success at Petco Park over the years. In 11 outings, the left-hander owns a .465 OPS-against, 1.27 ERA, and 0.85 WHIP. Those numbers alone are enough of a reason for Preller to pick up the phone.

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Padres could target free agent outfielder Jesse Winker

Padres could target free agent outfielder Aaron Hicks

Padres could target free agent pitcher Alex Wood

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