Padres reportedly exploring trades for four-time Gold Glove 1B Eric Hosmer

It appears the San Diego Padres might be willing to part ways with their veteran first baseman.

According to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Dennis Lin, Eric Hosmer has been mentioned in trade discussions leading up to the July 30 deadline. 

The Padres are expected to end the 2021 season above the competitive balance tax threshold of $210 million, The Athletic adds, and getting rid of Hosmer's contract could be a way for San Diego to get under the tax line.

However, there has been no indication that a deal is imminent, and The Athletic does not mention any potential trade partners. Rosenthal and Lin add that the Padres would have to "attach significant prospect value" to trade Hosmer. 

Hosmer is signed through the 2025 season after agreeing to an eight-year, $144 million deal in 2018. The 31-year-old is hitting .266/.330/.381 with eight home runs and 48 RBI in 92 games this season. 

This is Hosmer's fourth season in San Diego after beginning his career with the Kansas City Royals. He was a four-time Gold Glover with the Royals, helping the club win the World Series in 2015. 

While Hosmer could be on his way out, the Padres are looking to make more additions before this week's deadline. San Diego already acquired second baseman Adam Frazier from the Pittsburgh Pirates and has been linked to pitchers Jose Berrios and Max Scherzer. 

The Padres are third in a tight National League West with a 58-44 record, 5.5 games behind the division-leading San Francisco Giants.