Eric Hosmer is Finally Worth the Money

Throughout the offseason, San Diego Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer was met with criticism from pundits and even Padres fans.

These pundits and fans believe he is not playing as well as he should for the money he is receiving from his eight-year deal worth $144 million.

During his first four years with the Padres, Hosmer has netted a WAR of -0.1 in over 2,000 plate appearances. 

Hosmer came to the Padres in 2018, and his best season with the team so far was the 2020 season when he hit .287/.333/.517, although he only played 38 games. However, his production did not carry into the next season, as he only hit .269/.337/.395.

During the 2021 MLB season, the Padres wanted to trade him to either the Cubs or the Rangers, but they could not figure out a trade that would work with them. In the offseason, they looked at Freddie Freeman and Matt Olson as potential replacements for Hosmer. Those players found new teams once the lockout was over. 

The Padres’ last resort to get rid of Hosmer was a package trade to the Mets. The trade would have required the Padres to pay over $30 million of the $59 million left on Hosmer’s contract. However, the trade never went through. Because the Padres couldn’t get rid of him, Hosmer kept his job as the starting first baseman of the Padres.

So far this season, Hosmer is proving that he deserves his contract money by hitting .355/.434/.538 after the first month of the season. Alongside third baseman Manny Machado, Hosmer has provided some offensive firepower that has resulted in an 18-10 record for the Padres. This record is good for second place in the National League West. 

Most of the Padres’ success this season has come from pitching and defense.

Some of the hitting has been lackluster for the Padres. However, Hosmer has been one of the few bright spots in the Padres lineup. He is not showing as much power as some would like to see, but he has shown that he can get on base. Getting on base is exactly what the Padres need. 

The Padres lineup for Sunday’s game against the Marlins includes only two hitters with a batting average higher than .238. The two hitters are Manny Machado and Eric Hosmer. They both also happen to be Miami natives, and they hit quite well in their hometown in Friday’s game. Hosmer hit an RBI double in the first inning, and Machado finished 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI.

Even with a mostly lackluster offense, Machado and Hosmer’s elite level of play has led the Padres to their 18-10 record.

Many people figure Hosmer will not be able to keep up this production. However, Padres fans certainly are not complaining about his production so far this season. Fans have been showing up to Padres games at near full-capacity crowds. The fans have also been embracing the team for performing the way they should.

Hosmer has struggled and underperformed throughout the first four years of his contract. This has caused him to be part of plenty of trade speculation since the deadline of the 2021 season. Now, the Padres are relieved they did not get rid of him.