Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Padres Predicted to Land Three-Time Silver Slugger

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nate Lunak | Last updated Feb 19, 2025 12:55 PM ET

The San Diego Padres are gearing up for their first spring training game, which will be against the Seattle Mariners on Friday.

Of course, with Opening Day not set to take place until March 27 with a four-game series against the Atlanta Braves, that means there's still plenty of time for them to make moves to potentially improve the roster.

In an article written by Ryan Finkelstein of Just Baseball, he predicts they will solidify their designated hitter spot by signing 37-year-old J.D. Martinez to a one-year $5 million deal with incentives.

"If Martinez wants to extend his career, and play for a contender, maybe there is a place for him in the Padres lineup. San Diego is clearly strapped for cash, and they have a hole to fill at DH," he wrote. "Maybe Martinez takes a discount based on his past earnings to play for the Padres."

Martinez, a six-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger is coming off a pretty average year with the New York Mets. He accumulated 434 at-bats, 102 hits 46 runs scored, 69 RBI, and 16 home runs while slashing .235/.320/.406.

However, even if all Martinez could do is replicate those numbers, it could still be better than Tirso Ornelas, who's predicted to be the team's DH as of now.

FanGraphs projections have Ornelas racking up 299 at-bats, 72 hits, 35 runs scored, 36 RBI, eight home runs and a slash line of .241/.303/.376.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: