San Diego Padres 2018 Season Preview
By David Hill
San Diego Padres additions and subtractions
Key additions: Eric Hosmer, Kazuhisa Makita, Freddy Galvis, Bryan Mitchell, Chase Headley
Newcomer to watch: Eric Hosmer. A key piece to the Kansas City Royals lineup, Eric Hosmer will be asked to fill the same role with the San Diego Padres. It just would not be fair to expect more from him.
Last year, Hosmer put together another solid campaign, with a career best .318/.385/.489 batting line. He hit 25 homers to tie his career high, and chipped in six steal. Hosmer won his first Silver Slugger award, and his fourth Gold Glove, as he continued to be one of the biggest stars on the Royals.
Chances are, Hosmer will produce a similar season in San Diego. He will hit his fair share of homers and doubles, while playing Gold Glove defense at first. However, with his eight year, $144 million contract, he is being expected to produce at a superstar level. Hosmer is a good player, but to expect anything more than what he has already shown in his major league career would be a disservice.
Biggest losses: Jhoulys Chacin, Yangervis Solarte
Biggest loss: Jhoulys Chacin. He may not have been a star, or really more than a solid middle of the rotation arm, but Jhoulys Chacin was arguably the best pitcher in the Padres rotation last year.
He emerged as the surprising ace in San Diego, posting a respectable 13-10 record with a 3.89 ERA and a 1.270 WHiP, striking out 153 batters with 72 walks in his 180.1 innings of work. Chacin did a great job of keeping the ball in the yard, allowing only 19 homers. He did hit a league leading 14 batters, but that willingness to pitch inside led to a solid performance overall.
Chances are, Jhoulys Chacin was not going to be much of a part of the San Diego Padres future, especially with some of the upcoming arms. However, there is still some time before those arms come to the majors. Keeping a pitcher like Chacin could have helped the Padres as they move closer to respectability, allowing Clayton Richard to slot into the middle of the rotation.