Who would have guessed that the San Diego Padres would be the team that landed, Eric Hosmer? The former World Series champion with the Kansas City Royals will head west. Hosmer, 28, will sign an eight-year deal to play for the Friars.
The San Diego Tribune was the first to report the news.
Hosmer has now landed the franchise record for the largest contract in Padres history. The deal will come with an opt-out after five years into the deal. Hosmer finished the 2017 season with career highs in average (.318) to go with a .385 on-base percentage. Hosmer also hit 25 home runs last year and won the gold glove over at first base.
It appears that the Royals were the only other big-time player for the Miami native. Hosmer was a 4 WAR player in 2017 and Kansas City desperately wanted to keep their franchise player in town for his entire career. Like any Scott Boras client, Hosmer obviously chose the highest bidder regardless of who the team was. KC has already lost Lorenzo Cain to the Brewers and Mike Moustakas is probably next.
Hosmer is known as a hero in the postseason but hit just .190 in the 2015 World Series win over the Mets. Hosmer was the Padres top target out on the free agent market. San Diego is not ready to compete right away but the franchise is hoping that their new first baseman can be a leader of some sorts to help take the Padres to the next level. San Diego has not made the postseason since 2006.
Wil Myers will now move to the outfield. Interestingly enough, Myers was the Padres’ primary first baseman in 2017. Myers is the only other big contract on the Padres roster signing a six-year extension worth $83 million in 2017.
