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Padres rumors: team has checked in on Bryce Harper and Manny Machado

By Ben Fadden

BALTIMORE, MD - JULY 10: Bryce Harrper #34 of the Washington Nationals and Mannny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles talk during their game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 10, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - JULY 10: Bryce Harrper #34 of the Washington Nationals and Mannny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles talk during their game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 10, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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On Wednesday, Jon Heyman reported Padres rumors that the San Diego Padres have checked in on four prominent free agents

The Padres are preparing for the 2020 season to be contenders in the National League West, but as we have seen in previous offseasons, general manager A.J. Preller is a wild card when it comes to Padres rumors of being in play for big names. According to Jon Heyman, they may be at it again.

The Padres went out and signed All-Star first basemen Eric Hosmer to an eight-year deal to make him their first basemen and leader of the clubhouse.

Manny Machado would only work at third base because top prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. will be in the major leagues by mid-season. Machado could work at shortstop, but that would be under the impression Tatis Jr. would be willing to move to third base.

Machado hit 37 home runs in his 2018 campaign, driving in 197 and a batting average of .297. The 26-year-old was scrutinized for his “dirty” plays in the postseason, but any team would love to have him, including the Padres.

The Padres current options at third base are utility infielder Greg Garcia, who they acquired in the offseason from the Cardinals and minor leaguer Ty France (who has not played one game in the majors).

As I wrote in an article a few weeks ago on Mike Moustakas, he would be a good fit especially because he would be reunited with his former Kansas City Royals teammate Eric Hosmer.

Last offseason, Moustakas had to settle for a one-year deal back with Kansas City, but he had an on-base percentage of .315 and a slugging percentage of .459.

Marwin Gonzalez is essentially a fit for every team in the league because he can play any position. The Padres would most likely put him at either shortstop for about a month until Tatis arrives or put him at third base until they either acquire a full-time third baseman or until France develops.

Gonzalez was a huge contributor for the 2017 World Series champion Houston Astros, and he did not slow down last year hitting 16 home runs with an OBP of .324.

Bryce Harper is an interesting case because the one thing the Padres do not need is another outfielder.

Harper needs no introduction, but I will do it anyways. The 26-year-old is a six-time All-Star, a former NL MVP (2015), and he has won the Home Run Derby (2018).

Last year Harper hit 34 HR, had 100 RBI, and also had a slugging percentage of .496.

Wil Myers just moved back out to the outfield after playing third base last September, so there are now six outfielders that have the potential to be on the Opening Day roster.

The options are Franchy Cordero, Franmil Reyes, Manuel Margot, Hunter Renfroe, Travis Jankowski, and Myers.

Preller would have to trade one or two of them, which would likely be Margot and Renfroe, to make room for Harper.

Next. Tatis forcing Padres hand. dark

The most likely scenario from this Padres rumor is for the Padres to sign either Moustakas or Marwin (most likely Moustakas) to play third base for the foreseeable future.

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