The Padres got their man.
The team and free agent first baseman Eric Hosmer have agreed to a deal, two sources said Saturday night.
The average annual value of the eight-year deal is $18 million, the largest monetary commitment in Padres history.
The Padres had said they would be creative. The $144 million contract is believed to be front-loaded, which might make the opt-out more attractive for Hosmer.
The signing will push first baseman Wil Myers, whose six-year, $83 million deal signed in 2017 was the team’s biggest contract ever, to the outfield. Myers, who played with Hosmer briefly in Single-A while in the Royals’ system, has said he would be happy to move if it meant the Padres got Hosmer.
The 28-year-old Hosmer hit .318 with a .385 on-base percentage in 2017, both career highs. He hit 25 home runs in 2017, for the second season in a row.
Half the Padres projected starting lineup — Hosmer, Myers, Chase Headley and Freddy Galvis — is made up of veterans who have produced at a high level in recent years.
This makes an already crowded outfield more competitive and adds protection for Myers in the lineup, something that has been lacking since Matt Kemp departed.
The Padres coveted Hosmer for his ability to get on base and the leadership they believe he can provide their young team.
Several people in the organization have said in recent days they believed his presence would make them a contender in the National League.
However, this acquisition is also about the long term.
The Padres’ background work talking with several dozen coaches, players and others who know Hosmer has turned up exclusively positive reports regarding his work ethic and leadership abilities. Additionally, Hosmer is bilingual, which would be a commodity in connecting in an increasingly Latin-infused clubhouse.
“Hos is a great teammate,” said Padres pitcher Chris Young, a member of the Royals’ 2015 World Series championship team. “One of my favorites. He shows up every day. He’s energetic. He knows how to work. He takes care of himself. He’s competitive between the line but knows how to have fun in a clubhouse. The ultimate teammate and competitor. I love him.”
Hosmer was a hero of that ‘15 team.
His ninth-inning double scored the Royals’ first run in Game 5 of the 2015 World Series against the New York Mets, and his dash home on a ground ball tied the game, which the Royals won in 11 innings for their first championship in 30 years.
Hosmer batted just .190 that series but drove in six runs in the five games. In the Royals’ 2014 World Series loss to the San Francisco Giants, he batted .250 and drove in four runs.
He played in all 162 games last season and has averaged 153 games over the past six seasons.
He has a career batting average of .284, career on-base percentage of .342 and career slugging percentage of .439. He has won four Gold Gloves in his seven seasons and was an All-Star in 2016.
Only five first baseman are averaging more than $18 million per season. Hosmer trails only Miguel Cabrera ($31 million), Joe Mauer ($23 million), Chris Davis ($23 million), Joey Votto ($22.5 million) and Carlos Santana ($20 million). Those five are all at least three years older than Hosmer.
The Padres opening day payroll is now projected to be a little more than $90 million.