San Diego Padres may have Eric Hosmer back in 2022

San Diego Padres Eric Hosmer had an up-and-down 2021 season. He had a hot April (.310) and July (.355) but a cold June (.172) and August (.244). His troubles at the plate may force the Padres to look for an upgrade at the first base position much like they did before last season’s trade deadline. However, the path to acquiring a viable alternative may be closing, which allows Hosmer to come back in 2022.

Hosmer is an underrated run producer

The scouting report on Hosmer is he has an excellent glove with a good lefthand stick. However, his bat comes alive with baserunners in scoring position. Who could argue? Hosmer knocked in 90 or more runs four out of five seasons between 2015-19.

In 2020, Hosmer was a key contributor to the Friars making the playoffs in the COVID-shortened season. He hit .287/.333 OBP/.517 SLG with nine HRs and 36 RBIs in 38 games played. Hosmer’s slugging percentage (.851) was the highest since his days with the Kansas City Royals.

His fielding was outstanding as well. He committed only two errors in 236 defensive chances. It is safe to say that Hosmer was a magician with the glove and bat. Defense has been his career calling card, but Hosmer will be better remembered for delivering key hits that season. They helped to send the Friars to the postseason for the first time since 2006.

The 2021 season was a disappointment

But that was not the case last season. Hosmer posted .269/.337 OBP/.395 SLG with a 104 OPS+ and 1.0 WAR in 151 games. However, after digesting all of his statistical numbers. Hosmer was not as disappointing as the Friar Faithful crowed during the Padres fall from grace last summer.

He did meet his career average in hard-hit ball percentage (47.3%) and above his career average in line drive percentage (23.2%). But there are concerns with Hosmer achieving career lows in the percentage of hitting ground balls (55.7%) and fly balls (14.8%) last season.

Another shaky campaign could make his future with the club murky at best.

Could the San Diego Padres be in the market for Hosmer’s replacement?

At this point in Hosmer’s career, the Padres would love to find a taker for him on the trade market. But there is a problem, the Friars owe Hosmer $60 million from his original eight-year/$144 million free-agent deal. The organization may have to sacrifice one of the top minor league prospects to move Hosmer out of town. Trading his contract will give the Friars the financial flexibility needed to improve other areas on the roster.

What type of player do the Padres consider a significant upgrade at first base over Hosmer? Well, that person must match him defensively at the position but offer more run production from the batter’s box.

What Matt Olson offers the San Diego Padres

One player to keep an eye on is Oakland Athletics Matt Olson. He is expected to be made available on the trade market once the A’s begin tearing down their roster. However, the team’s front office has not decided when the rebuilding process will officially begin.

The Friars would be acquiring one of the best-lefthanded hitters in baseball today. Olson averages 40 HRs and 105 RBIs over a 162-game campaign. Last season, he hit 39 HRs with 111 RBIs and scored 101 runs. Could you imagine the production from Olson if he batted between Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado? Plus, his power swing will take full advantage of depositing baseballs into the jury box in right field.

The A’s will expect a huge return in any potential trade. The one caveat for the team that acquires Olson is they will have him under control for the next two seasons. The Padres are the perfect trade partner because they have a group of prospects who can become foundation pieces for the A’s next contending ballclub.

All of this is for naught if the Friars cannot find a trade partner for Hosmer.

But the current lockout has shown the harsh reality that not too many teams are interested in taking on additional salary to their ledger. The longer this labor dispute continues, time shrinks for teams to negotiate trades.

Thus, it is hard to see anyone else than Hosmer playing first base for the Friars at the start of the 2022 season.