JANUARY 3RD: Hawpe's deal is worth $3MM guaranteed, tweets Bernie Wilson of the Associated Press. The 31-year-old will earn $2MM in '11 with a $6MM mutual option for '12 that can instead be bought out for $1MM.
DECEMBER 24th: The Padres have reached an agreement with Brad Hawpe on a one-year deal according to Bernie Wilson of the AP (via The Miami Herald). The deal is pending a physical. He is represented by the Beverly Hills Sports Council.
Hawpe, 31, will replace the departed Adrian Gonzalez at first base even though he has just 72 innings of experience at the position in the big leagues. He's a .279/.373/.490 career hitter with at least 22 homers per year from 2006 through 2009. In close to 1,600 plate appearances away from Coors Field, Hawpe is a .271/.367/.467 career hitter. The Padres will likely want to bring in a platoon partner for the lefty swinging Hawpe, who is a .245/.322/.438 career hitter against southpaws.
A quad strain cost Hawpe a little more than two weeks early in the 2010 season, and a rib issue cost him a few days in June. The Rockies cut ties with him in August, and the Rays picked him up off the scrap heap. The Padres also had interest in signing him before Tampa swooped in. Hawpe didn't do much for the Rays on the field (.179/.304/.333 in 46 plate appearances), but he will bring them a supplemental first round pick as a Type-B free agent. San Diego will not have to surrender a pick for the signing.
Lee prob isnt any better than Hawpe. You mentioned Lee’s thumb injury and not Hawpe’s rib and foot injury. Lets let Brad play a few at 1B I’m sure he’ll do great and Lee isnt really GG caliber on “D” anymore. The Rox released Hawpe as a favor so he could then choose his team and try to hit it big in the playoffs, it wasn’t really a situation where he was cut. And I’m sure the Rockies missed his clutch hits and rbi’s when they lost 12 of their last 13.
This is going to be a good deal for the Pads if he is healthy way better than $8-10 for Lee, I predict his 162 average form to continue, +20 Hrs and +40 doubles and +90 rbi’s and in the 3 hole this year for the Pads…
I hope you are right about Hawpe because Im a Pads fan. However, I dont think the Rox would cut ties with a guy who could help another team(ex, Padres) within the divison make the playoffs while they are still in the race, if he had much to contribute. Buddy Black made it sound that the lineup would go Venable,Bartlett,Hudson and Luddy in the 1-4 spots. I dont hate Hawpe I just think 3 mill is steep when there wasnt a real market out there for him and with the Pads every dollar counts.
One thing I’m certian of is that Hudson and Ludwick can’t handle the 3 and 4 spots.
I’m thinking…
Bartlett
Hudson
Hawpe
Ludwick
Veneble
Headley
Hundley
Maybin
I would agree that Blanks still has a chance to be the future at first base, and get a shot before Rizzo is ready. However, I would disagree that the Padres would use Blanks specifically in a platoon role. I have said this before:
I don’t believe using Blanks in a platoon role helps the big man. He should play everyday when he is healthy and has regained his confidence playing at AAA. Since he is right handed he would also not receive the lions share of playing time. I don’t see how that benefits a relatively young, inexperienced player that has struggled with injuries and production (on the MLB level) with less then 300 MLB Ab’s.
Its possible the Padres could guarantee Jerry Hairston time at 3rd to spell Headley against left handed pitching, along with backing up Hudson and Bartlett to keep them fresh, and possibly even at first to spell Hawpe. I don’t think that would be out of the question necessarily. Of course, he’s (Jerry) only played one MLB game at first base (in ’06) on the flip side. I mentioned M-Ram because he can also play first, although he is primarily a catcher.
Hawpes average WAR over the last 5 years is about 1. Was this post a joke? Although I disagree with that they will get $95 mil war for $38 mil, I do think that hawpe can post a solid 1.5 WAR, leaving surplus value.
Look at his outfield defense the past few years..it was a Drag on his WAR…His play at 1st base will improve his defensive stat thus improving his WAR…Brads main intrest in signing with the Pads was getting to play 1st base..it is a completly different situation than the outfield requirement with the ROXS ( Helton was in the way)….We will see
Very good points!
Very good points!
Hawpes average WAR over the last 5 years is about 1. Was this post a joke? Although I disagree with that they will get $95 mil war for $38 mil, I do think that hawpe can post a solid 1.5 WAR, leaving surplus value.