As is his way, Padres’ general manager A.J. Preller has already asked about multiple free agents at this week’s meetings, including Eric Hosmer, first baseman for the Kansas City Royals for seven seasons. Since the Padres already have a first baseman and team-anointed face of the franchise in Wil Myers, this rumor certainly raised eyebrows.
The big names being discussed throughout baseball, Giancarlo Stanton and Shohei Otani, would be the longest of long shots for the Padres. Marlins’ outfielder Stanton hit 59 homers and drove in 132 runs but comes with a $295 million price tag. Otani has been called the Japanese Babe Ruth, a right-handed pitcher and left-handed hitter.