Veteran Explains Why He Left Division Rival for Padres In Free Agency

The Padres' open competition for two outfield spots has led to some surprising candidates putting up strong numbers early in spring training.

Veteran Tim Locastro has five hits in his first nine Cactus League at-bats. Jose Azocar, a reserve outfielder the last two seasons, is batting .348 in his first nine games. Prospect Jackson Merrill has adapted well defensively to a new position while hitting .280 in the early going.

Meanwhile, journeyman outfielder Oscar Mercado has a .316 batting average and leads the team with two homers and five RBIs through his first 10 games.

Mercado, who ended last season with the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate, was asked to size up the Padres' outfield competition in an interview with Sam Levitt of 97.3 The Fan.

“I view it as something — there’s a reason why I came here. I thought there was a good chance for me to prove myself, go compete, and help a team win. At the end of the day I can’t worry about what decisions are going to be made. I can only control what I can control on the field. That’s just giving it my best. Whatever happens, happens. I know I’ll be right regardless.”

— Oscar Mercado, via 97.3 The Fan

The Padres signed Mercado, 29, to a minor league contract with a non-roster invitation to spring training. For a player who's spent time in five organizations over the last five years, the opportunity for a stable job had to look golden.

San Diego traded left fielder Juan Soto and center fielder Trent Grisham to the New York Yankees in December, and were the opposite of aggressive in replacing the two players via free agency or trades. 

Locastro, Azocar, Merrill and Mercado have been the early standouts, but the Padres also have extended non-roster invitations to Jakob Marsee, Tirso Ornelas, Bryce Johnson and Robert Perez Jr. Veteran Jurickson Profar will also see time in the outfield this season, but has the versatility to back up at multiple positions.

Mercado, a native of Colombia, is a career .237/.289/.388 hitter in 298 career major league games.