SAN DIEGO — First, Eric Hosmer was headed to Washington. Now, he’s headed to Boston.
In a wild Deadline day turn of events, Hosmer invoked his no-trade clause to reject a potential deal from the Padres to the Nationals. Hosmer was originally part of the eight-player blockbuster that sent Juan Soto and Josh Bell to San Diego.
Instead, the Padres pivoted to include Luke Voit in that trade, while sending Hosmer to the Red Sox, along with two prospects and cash in exchange for lefty pitching prospect Jay Groome. The deal was announced just prior to Tuesday’s 3 p.m. PT Trade Deadline.
Padres get: LHP Jay Groome
Red Sox get: 1B Eric Hosmer, 2B Max Ferguson (Padres’ No. 11 prospect), OF Corey Rosier (Padres’ No. 26 prospect), cash
Hosmer is owed $39 million from 2023-25, and it’s unclear how much of that salary the Padres will pay. But because the Red Sox acquired a pair of intriguing prospects in the move, they were more willing to take on additional money owed to Hosmer, sources said.
Hosmer’s no-trade protection stems from the eight-year, $144 million deal he signed with the Padres in February 2018, then the largest contract in franchise history. He had a full no-trade clause for the first three years of the deal, followed by more limited no-trade protection in the remaining years.
The impetus to move Hosmer stems partially from the Padres’ desire to remain below the CBT threshold. Plus, with Bell on board, there was no longer a spot for Hosmer.
A four-time Gold Glove winner, All-Star and World Series champ in Kansas City, Hosmer mostly underwhelmed in San Diego. In parts of five seasons, he posted a .737 OPS and was worth 3.9 wins above replacement according to Baseball-Reference. In 90 games this season, Hosmer is slashing .272/.336/.391.
Both Ferguson and Rosier are solid pieces. They’re similar players, in that both boast excellent speed and a solid approach at the plate without much pop. But both are 22 and their ceiling is somewhat limited. Neither factored prominently into the team’s long-term plans, and the Padres are clearly going all-in to upgrade their current big league roster.
In the meantime, Groome, a 23-year-old former first-round pick, could be a solid reclamation project for the Padres’ farm system to take on. He owns a 4.46 ERA in five Minor League seasons.