Padres Rumors: Friars 'Engaged in Conversations' Regarding 3 Free Agent Outfielders
The San Diego Padres have plenty of outfielders in their major league camp. However, aside from Fernando Tatis Jr. in right field, and the increasing likelihood of Jackson Merrill filling one of the other two positions, the Padres' front office is apparently unconvinced that their outfield can be filled out from within.
According to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Tribune, the Friars are involved in conversations with free agents Tommy Pham, Michael A. Taylor, and Adam Duvall.
"The Padres remain engaged in conversations regarding veteran free-agent outfielders Tommy Pham, Michael A. Taylor and Adam Duvall, as well as others."
Taylor is the best defender on the market. His defense is head and shoulders above the rest of these three options. Taylor rated anywhere from a plus-5 to a plus-7 in nearly 1,000 innings of center field work with the Minnesota Twins when it came to Defensive Runs Saved and Outs Above Average.
Duvall , 35, is coming off a solid season with the Boston Red Sox. He recorded a .247 average along with 21 home runs, 58 RBIs, and an OPS of .834, his highest since 2019.
As for Pham, the familiarity is there. He is coming off a season with the New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks. At the age of 35, he recorded a .256 average, 16 home runs, 68 RBIs, 55 runs, and 22 stolen bases. He spent two seasons with the Padres from 2020-2021.
The Padres have options and may look to sign either of these three players soon — it would be difficult to imagine any new signings joining the team in Korea, though.
