Options for impending Padres free agent Brandon Drury

Brandon Drury, 30, is coming off his best season in the majors. 

Drury set career highs in home runs (28) and RBI (87) and was worth 2.6 WAR (Wins Above Replacement), per Baseball-Reference. The righthanded utilityman spent the first half of the season in a Cincinnati Reds uniform before being flipped to the San Diego Padres at the trade deadline.

One of the more critical aspects of Drury's game is his defense. While he will not blow anyone away at any position, he can handle nearly any spot on the diamond. Over the course of the 2022 season, he played at every infield position and right field. In the past, he has played in left field, too.

A free agent at season's end, Drury will be hitting the open market for the third time in his eight-year career. He should have a long list of suitors. 

Per The Athletic's Dennis Lin: 

“For now, the Padres might prefer the idea of re-signing Drury, who could play first base and fill in at a couple of other positions — all while working on a significantly less expensive contract than what [Josh] Bell will get. Again, the market will have plenty of say in the matter. Maybe the competition for Drury will be more robust than anticipated. Maybe Bell’s struggles in the second half will lower his price considerably.”

Fortunately for Drury, the free-agent third-base market is awful. He will be competing with the likes of Maikel Franco, Jace Peterson, Donovan Solano and possibly Justin Turner if the Dodgers reject their 2023 club option over him.

Here are potential options:

Chicago Cubs

A signing of Drury would allow the Cubs to move on from Patrick Wisdom, who still offers tools that teams like but would likely be a better fit elsewhere. Then they could move star-in-the-making Christopher Morel to a super-utility role that he is better suited for in the short term.

San Francisco Giants

Evan Longoria is coming off the books and the Giants will be in the market for a new third baseman for the first time in years. Drury would fill the hole in the lineup better than fellow infielder Wilmer Flores, who is best suited for a righthanded platoon role.

Cleveland Guardians

Andres Gimenez came out of nowhere and emerged as one of the game's best second basemen, and otherworldly third baseman Jose Ramirez is going nowhere. Drury's best fit may be at first base with occasional work in the outfield.