Padres Rumors: Top American League Slugger Viewed as Fit for Friars in Free Agency
The San Diego Padres need some outfield help moving forward. The club also needs to find a bit more pop in their bats, as they finished 15th in slugging percentage (.413) in 2023.
Jim Bowden of The Athletic has an answer for both these problems next year. Enter free agent outfielder Teoscar Hernandez. The Padres were identified as one of the teams with the better fits for the first time free agent this winter. Here's what the insider Bowden had to say.
Best fits: Mariners, Marlins, Padres, Guardians
Teoscar Hernández has hit 25 or more home runs in four of the past five years, including 26 this past season to go along with 29 doubles and 93 RBIs. The two-time Silver Slugger Award winner was again among the league leaders in strikeouts (211) and he had only 38 walks and a .305 on-base percentage. Hernández is a below-average defender in right field, finishing with 1 DRS, three errors, and in the 61st percentile in outs above average. (He was in the 78th percentile in arm strength and in the 82nd percentile in sprint speed.) However, he delivers consistent right-handed power and, should he reach free agency, teams will pursue him because of it.
Teoscar Hernandez certainly fits the bill of the power bat that the team needs. If they dislike his defensive metrics, they could slot him in as a primary designated hitter.
While the strikeouts and lack of walks do not inspire much confidence, the Friars finished 7th last year in team OBP (.329). Meaning, that they could sacrifice a bit of on-base consistency to fuel their bats.
The downside is Hernandez won't be cheap. He made $14MM last year and could receive the qualifying offer ($20.5MM) from the Mariners. So, even if the front office gets in lower than the qualifying offer, they have to give up a draft pick to acquire him.
Hernandez comes with a bit of give and take on the field and financially but could be electric in San Diego. If the team does plan on trading Juan Soto and possibly non-tendering Trent Grisham, Hernandez could go a long way.
