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MLB Hot Stove: San Diego Padres

By Thomas Conroy

Sep 23, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) reacts after a run scores on a wild pitch during the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) reacts after a run scores on a wild pitch during the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 9, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (19) bats during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

Adding a left-hand hitter

The Padres were exposed for having a predominant right-hand hitting lineup last season, as they were shutout a league-high 19 times in 2015. One of the team’s most pressing needs is adding a left-hand power hitter to the middle of the batting order that can consistently put the ball over the fence in the pitcher-friendly Petco Park.

Many believe the Padres will make a serious run at free agent first-basemen Chris Davis, who is the most prolific home run hitter in baseball today. No question that he is coming into the prime of his career, as Davis will turn 30-years old next March and has already hit 161 home runs in a little over four seasons with the Baltimore Orioles. Plus, Davis hit 37 of his 47 home runs off of right-handed pitching last year.

Davis is an ideal cleanup hitter to bat in between Matt Kemp and Wil Myers in the lineup because he’s a proven run-producer that rarely swings at pitches out of the strike zone. Yes, Davis did strikeout 208 times last season, but he also drew 84 walks, which quite impressive for a supposed free-swinger.

Davis should command plenty of interest on the open market, but the Padres have shown a willingness to add payroll for the right addition to the roster. Now, it will be up to Preller to be creative in bringing Davis to San Diego.

Next: A catcher on the move

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