Nick Ahmed Joins 4th Team In Same Divison In Past Year

He has two Gold Gloves on his resume, and even at the age of 34, he can still play shortstop at a high level. Nick Ahmed, who made his mark in the majors with the Arizona Diamondbacks, is now joining yet another team in the National League West this season—his third— having had his contract selected by the San Diego Padres. He has now completed a tour of four of the five teams in the NL West within the last 12 months.

NL West legendary traveling man:
Shortstop Nick Ahmed will be playing for his 4th NL West team in a year as he joins the San Diego Padres.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) September 22, 2024

After a 10-year career with the Snakes, winning the Gold Glove in 2017 and 2018, Ahmed was cut loose in free agency by Arizona at the end of last season after Geraldo Perdomo had staked his claim on the shortstop position.

He signed a minor league deal with the San Francisco Giants before the 2024 season began, and in 52 games was only able to mount a .232/.278/.303 slash line — poor even for the offensively-challenged Ahmed.

The Giants waived him in July, and he signed a major league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. In LA, his numbers were even worse, as he slashed .229/.245/.292 and was DFA'd after appearing in just 17 games.

Following that, he signed another minor league deal out west, this time with the Padres, who have now officially added him to the 40-man roster.

With Ha-Seong Kim out indefinitely with right shoulder inflammation, Xander Bogaerts has slid back over from second base to shortstop, while Ahmed will now supply some added middle infield depth as the Friars gear up for the postseason, with a 3.5 game cushion in a Wild Card spot.