Royals Is it time for the Padres to consider benching Hosmer?

Deberg_1990 · 04-17-2019, 11:53 AM

https://eastvillagetimes.com/2019/04...g-eric-hosmer/

With an excess of corner outfielders on the roster who are performing offensively, is it time for the San Diego Padres to consider benching first baseman Eric Hosmer?

After the first two weeks of the season, several position players for the San Diego Padres are off to a good start. However, Eric Hosmer is not one of those players.

At the time of his signing in 2018, Hosmer was the most notable acquisition in franchise history. He was given the most significant contract in franchise history, eight years and $144 million. He is currently in the second year of that contract and is earning $20 million.

It’s still early, but he has shown a lack of production that gave Padres fans fits last season. So far in 2019, he’s hitting .203/.271/.297. His strikeout rate is high (22.9 percent). His walk percentage is low (8.6 percent). He is hitting the ball on the ground half the time (50 percent groundball rate). His wRC+ is an abysmal 51.

Compare these numbers with four outfielders currently on the 25-man roster: Wil Myers, Franmil Reyes, Hunter Renfroe, and Manuel Margot. When Franchy Cordero returns from the injured list, he can be added to this discussion.

Margot is off to one of the best starts in his young career. He has played the past few games in the leadoff spot and is seizing the opportunity. He also is the best defender in the outfield. Myers is back to full health and is at an expected level of production.

Reyes has shown much more patience at the plate. He’s taking more pitches and is being more selective. His 11.3 percent walk rate is evidence of this. His batting average is still quite low, but BABIP has not been his friend so far (.171).

Renfroe has shown improvement in the outfield. Also, he has a 126 wRC+ and gives manager Andy Green a power option to pencil into the lineup.

The thing here is that these four players should be playing every day. Four outfielders and three outfield positions – the Padres have quite the predicament. Hosmer’s lack of production at first base makes it even worse.

Seeing how these four players are producing and Hosmer isn’t, the question should be asked at some point if things don’t change. Should the Padres bench Eric Hosmer?

Yes, he’s making $20 million and has the second biggest contract on the team. Yes, the team waited out a slow offseason to sign him to that contract. Yes, he was advertised as a player who offers “prestige value” and is the kind of veteran you want for clubhouse chemistry. Seeing how this young clubhouse has come together so quickly, you do have to ask if this would be possible without Hosmer’s leadership.

Hosmer is the biggest professional sports star in San Diego not named Manny Machado or Fernando Tatis, Jr. He was named All-Star Game MVP in 2016, a game that was played at Petco Park. Fans celebrated when he agreed to a contract with the Padres. That fanfare is beginning to fade. The numbers are falling well short of the hype. Also, this production, or lack thereof, does nothing to help the Padres win games. Winning games, after all, is the whole point of playing the sport.

Taking Hosmer out of the lineup, even if only temporarily, makes room for all four of those outfielders to get the playing time they deserve. Myers was the team’s first baseman before Hosmer was signed. Even after all the moving around he has done, he would move back to a position with which he has familiarity.

It’s only mid-April, and there is plenty of time for Hosmer to figure it out. He was given a free pass last season due to having to adjust to a new league. This season, seeing how he has started is leaving little room for optimism.

If this keeps up, Green may have to make a tough decision and keep one of his highest-paid players on the bench.

Prison Bitch · 04-17-2019, 11:56 AM

So hilarious.

Don’t hassle the Hoz!

ToxSocks · 04-17-2019, 11:58 AM

Naaaaaah

TambaBerry · 04-17-2019, 11:58 AM

he has always been a groundball hitter, the guy needs to change his swing to get better contact it is shit

**Buehler445** · 04-17-2019, 12:06 PM

That didn't take long.

WhawhaWhat · 04-17-2019, 12:20 PM

Is he still spiking balls straight into the dirt to the right side?

Sofa King · 04-17-2019, 12:23 PM

I just watched Hosmer play in Arizona Sunday. He made a GREAT defensive play at first but his bat was shit. Fun game as there were plenty of runs and some homers as well.

CaliforniaChief · 04-17-2019, 12:25 PM

Thank God AJ Preller saved us from "Playoffville."

**TribalElder** · 04-17-2019, 12:27 PM

living in san diego made him soft as prom night pussy

Pitt Gorilla · 04-17-2019, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TribalElder

living in san diego made him soft as prom night pussy

He is who he’s been. I’m just glad the padres were there to save the royals from themselves.

**loochy** · 04-17-2019, 01:22 PM

Did they bench this piece of shit yet?

'Hamas' Jenkins · 04-17-2019, 02:09 PM

I drafted him in the middle rounds of fantasy last year, thinking that he'd have similar numbers given that Petco had moved their fences in and that he had some hitter-friendly parks in the division. What a mistake that was. He's quickly becoming one of the worst FA signings of all time.

suzzer99 · 04-17-2019, 03:33 PM

Maybe we get him back in a few years when they let him go and eat his contract. Then he can revive his career and get the band back together.

eDave · 04-17-2019, 03:41 PM

Ha ha. didn't even know he was there. Man, I totally tuned out after the WS.

Jerok · 04-17-2019, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eDave

Ha ha. didn't even know he was there. Man, I totally tuned out after the WS.

Lol. Best stay away a few more years

04-17-2019, 11:53 AM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $334454	Is it time for the Padres to consider benching Hosmer? https://eastvillagetimes.com/2019/04...g-eric-hosmer/ With an excess of corner outfielders on the roster who are performing offensively, is it time for the San Diego Padres to consider benching first baseman Eric Hosmer? After the first two weeks of the season, several position players for the San Diego Padres are off to a good start. However, Eric Hosmer is not one of those players. At the time of his signing in 2018, Hosmer was the most notable acquisition in franchise history. He was given the most significant contract in franchise history, eight years and $144 million. He is currently in the second year of that contract and is earning $20 million. It’s still early, but he has shown a lack of production that gave Padres fans fits last season. So far in 2019, he’s hitting .203/.271/.297. His strikeout rate is high (22.9 percent). His walk percentage is low (8.6 percent). He is hitting the ball on the ground half the time (50 percent groundball rate). His wRC+ is an abysmal 51. Compare these numbers with four outfielders currently on the 25-man roster: Wil Myers, Franmil Reyes, Hunter Renfroe, and Manuel Margot. When Franchy Cordero returns from the injured list, he can be added to this discussion. Margot is off to one of the best starts in his young career. He has played the past few games in the leadoff spot and is seizing the opportunity. He also is the best defender in the outfield. Myers is back to full health and is at an expected level of production. Reyes has shown much more patience at the plate. He’s taking more pitches and is being more selective. His 11.3 percent walk rate is evidence of this. His batting average is still quite low, but BABIP has not been his friend so far (.171). Renfroe has shown improvement in the outfield. Also, he has a 126 wRC+ and gives manager Andy Green a power option to pencil into the lineup. The thing here is that these four players should be playing every day. Four outfielders and three outfield positions – the Padres have quite the predicament. Hosmer’s lack of production at first base makes it even worse. Seeing how these four players are producing and Hosmer isn’t, the question should be asked at some point if things don’t change. Should the Padres bench Eric Hosmer? Yes, he’s making $20 million and has the second biggest contract on the team. Yes, the team waited out a slow offseason to sign him to that contract. Yes, he was advertised as a player who offers “prestige value” and is the kind of veteran you want for clubhouse chemistry. Seeing how this young clubhouse has come together so quickly, you do have to ask if this would be possible without Hosmer’s leadership. Hosmer is the biggest professional sports star in San Diego not named Manny Machado or Fernando Tatis, Jr. He was named All-Star Game MVP in 2016, a game that was played at Petco Park. Fans celebrated when he agreed to a contract with the Padres. That fanfare is beginning to fade. The numbers are falling well short of the hype. Also, this production, or lack thereof, does nothing to help the Padres win games. Winning games, after all, is the whole point of playing the sport. Taking Hosmer out of the lineup, even if only temporarily, makes room for all four of those outfielders to get the playing time they deserve. Myers was the team’s first baseman before Hosmer was signed. Even after all the moving around he has done, he would move back to a position with which he has familiarity. It’s only mid-April, and there is plenty of time for Hosmer to figure it out. He was given a free pass last season due to having to adjust to a new league. This season, seeing how he has started is leaving little room for optimism. If this keeps up, Green may have to make a tough decision and keep one of his highest-paid players on the bench.
Posts: 68,412

04-17-2019, 11:56 AM	#2
Prison Bitch Rabbi Goldmann Join Date: Nov 2012 Casino cash: $5450159	So hilarious. Don’t hassle the Hoz!
Posts: 87,025

04-17-2019, 11:58 AM	#3
ToxSocks Needs more middle fingers Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego Casino cash: $2133063	Naaaaaah __________________ Life is like a dick. Sometimes it gets hard for no reason, but it can't stay hard forever.
Posts: 65,925

04-17-2019, 11:58 AM	#4
TambaBerry MVP Join Date: Jan 2013 Casino cash: $-1344459	he has always been a groundball hitter, the guy needs to change his swing to get better contact it is shit
Posts: 10,922

04-17-2019, 12:06 PM	#5
Buehler445 Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Scott City KS Casino cash: $-1365266	That didn't take long.
Posts: 59,929

04-17-2019, 12:20 PM	#6
WhawhaWhat MVP Join Date: Feb 2013 Casino cash: $-678884	Is he still spiking balls straight into the dirt to the right side?
Posts: 18,321

04-17-2019, 12:23 PM	#7
Sofa King Bump it Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South Dakota Casino cash: $-200000 VARSITY	I just watched Hosmer play in Arizona Sunday. He made a GREAT defensive play at first but his bat was shit. Fun game as there were plenty of runs and some homers as well.
Posts: 23,457

04-17-2019, 12:25 PM	#8
CaliforniaChief #RIPAce Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal Casino cash: $10705899	Thank God AJ Preller saved us from "Playoffville."
Posts: 17,443

04-17-2019, 12:27 PM	#9
TribalElder Arrowhead Trail of Tears Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: KansasCity Casino cash: $-459559	living in san diego made him soft as prom night pussy
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04-17-2019, 01:22 PM	#11
loochy Hey Loochy, I'm hooome! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: PooPooKaKaPeePeeShire Casino cash: $-1519603	Did they bench this piece of shit yet?
Posts: 42,029

04-17-2019, 02:09 PM	#12
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $7279572	I drafted him in the middle rounds of fantasy last year, thinking that he'd have similar numbers given that Petco had moved their fences in and that he had some hitter-friendly parks in the division. What a mistake that was. He's quickly becoming one of the worst FA signings of all time. __________________ "When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”--Abraham Lincoln
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04-17-2019, 03:33 PM	#13
suzzer99 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: L.A. Casino cash: $-575716	Maybe we get him back in a few years when they let him go and eat his contract. Then he can revive his career and get the band back together.
Posts: 28,351

04-17-2019, 03:41 PM	#14
eDave Banned Join Date: Jan 2013 Casino cash: $9998560	Ha ha. didn't even know he was there. Man, I totally tuned out after the WS.
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