San Diego Padres Linked To Two Free Agent Outfielders

After swooping in to trade for starting pitcher Dylan Cease, the San Diego Padres might not be done yet tooling around with their roster. Insider Robert Murray posits on his Baseball Insider podcast that the Friars are looking at one of two free agent outfielders to add some depth to a fairly thin crop at the major league level. 

I still think they're a possibility for a guy like Tommy Pham; Michael Taylor is also somebody that they've had interest in this offseason, so there's still options out there. And the fact that Adam Duvall only got $3 million, to me indicates that it's possible that they might get one of these guys. I think that DeVol contract might help the Padres out in their search for an outfielder.

Duvall just re-signed with the Atlanta Braves on Thursday for his third go-round with the team. Murray figures his $3 million price tag makes Pham and Taylor more affordable.

The Friars' need for a left fielder is more urgent now after presumed starter Jurickson Profar went down with a leg injury a couple of days ago, and he is doubtful to begin the season. Pham can play both outfield corners. He spent last season split between the New York Mets and the Arizona Diamondbacks, posting a .256 average with 16 homers, 68 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases along with an OPS+ of 111. The 36-year-old cracked the 20 SB mark for the first time in four years, while posting his highest average and OPS (.774) during that stretch as well.

Michael A. Taylor is a centerfielder but has a bit of experience in the past playing in left. Most of his contributions will come with his glove, though he did hit a career-high 21 longballs last season with the Minnesota Twins. Nevertheless, he had an OPS+ of just 94, and has only been above 100 (the average major league mark) once in his 10-year career, and that was seven seasons ago.

The Padres currently have an outfield of Fernando Tatis Jr. in right, rookie Jackson Merrill in center, and... for now, it's anybody's guess for left field.

Photo: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports