Report: Padres, Hosmer agree to $144 million deal
Just the thought of free agent first baseman Eric Hosmer joining the downtrodden, youthful San Diego Padres sent a morning jolt through the spring training clubhouse in Peoria, Ariz.
The on-field vibe seemed equally cheery, as country music blared as players went to work under sunny skies in the Arizona desert.
Hosmer reached a preliminary agreement on an eight-year contract with the Padres, pending a physical. A person with direct knowledge of the deal confirmed the tentative deal, speaking on the condition of anonymity Sunday because there had been no formal announcement of Hosmer’s potential signing.
It would become official once he passes a physical early in the week. While the final position players reported Sunday — most were already in spring camp — ahead of today’s first fullsquad workout, Hosmer wasn’t expected in the desert until at least today.
Hosmer, who spent his first seven major league seasons with Kansas City, would receive a reported $144 million.
Padres manager Andy Green could only discuss the acquisition of Hosmer in generalities since it isn’t final, but was hopeful of having his full team together today.
“I can’t replicate the magic of the first day twice, so, yeah, you want him or anyone to be there when you’re talking,” Green said.
The 28-year-old Hosmer batted a career-high .318 in 2017 and matched his best from the previous season with 25 home runs. A fourtime Gold Glover and All-Star in ’16, he drove in 94 runs and scored 98 for the Royals last season. He also had a career-best .385 on-base percentage.
Mets: Tim Tebow arrived at camp in Port St. Lucie, and the attention immediately turned to whether the quarterback who became an outfielder, now 30, could make it all the way to Citi Field in the future.
“Somebody asked me if thought he’d be a major league player at some point. I think he will play in the major leagues. That’s my guess,” general manager Sandy Alderson said.
Yankees: Outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury said the team has not approached him about waiving his no-trade clause.
There has been speculation that New York would like to move some of the money due Ellsbury, who has three years remaining on a $153 million, seven-year contract.
Ellsbury, 34, enters spring training as the odd man out in the outfield after losing his center field job last year to Aaron Hicks.
Indians: Manager Terry Francona rejoined the team at camp in Goodyear, Ariz., after the death of his father, the former Cleveland player with whom he shares a nickname. He had been gone since Thursday.
John “Tito” Francona, who proudly watched his son follow his footsteps to the major leagues, died unexpectedly at his home Tuesday night in New Brighton, Pennsylvania. He was 84.
Twins: Minnesota acquired right-handed pitcher Jake Odorizzi from the Tampa Bay Rays late Saturday for minor league infielder Jermaine Palacios. Last season, Odorizzi was 10-8 with a 4.14 ERA and 127 strikeouts in 28 starts.
Rays: Tampa acquired first baseman C.J. Cron from the Angels late Saturday for a player to be named, and designated outfielder Corey Dickerson for assignment. Sunday’s Games
Flyers 7, (at) Rangers 4: Travis Konecny scored the tiebreaking goal late in the second period and Philadelphia goaltender Alex Lyon made 25 saves in relief of injured Michal Neuvirth. Konecny also had two assists. Claude Giroux (200th career goal) and Jori Lehtera scored in the third to finish off the win, Lyon’s first in the NHL. The Rangers have lost four straight.
Oilers 4, (at) Avalanche 2: Connor McDavid had his third hat trick of the season, and Edmonton snapped a six-game losing streak. Ryan Strome also scored and Cam Talbot had 24 saves for the Oilers.
Devils 3, (at) Hurricanes 2 (OT): Taylor Hall won it with a goal on a rebound with 22 seconds left in overtime, and Keith Kinkaid stopped 40 shots.
Penguins 5, (at) Blue Jackets 2: Third-line center Riley Sheahan scored twice in the first period and rookie Tristan Jarry had 35 saves in Pittsburgh’s fifth straight win.
Maple Leafs 3, (at) Red Wings 2: Auston Matthews scored the game-winner with 30.2 seconds left, and Curtis McElhinney made 27 saves.
(At) Sharks 5, Stars 2: Mikkel Boedker had two goals in San Jose’s four-goal first period and Martin Jones had 26 saves.
(At) Jets 7, Panthers 2: Kyle Connor scored twice, and Tyler Myers and Blake Wheeler each had three assists.
NHL note
League office: Commissioner Gary Bettman said the league condemns the behavior of four male fans chanting a racial taunt against a black player, and backs the Chicago Blackhawks for ejecting the offenders. Bettman said no one “should ever have to endure such abuse at one of our games.” The NHL released Bettman’s statement Sunday morning, a day after Washington Capitals forward Devante SmithPelly was taunted by fans while he served a major penalty for fighting. The fans were shouting “basketball, basketball, basketball,” during the Blackhawks’ 7-1 win. An off-ice official sitting next to Smith-Pelly notified building security, and the fans were ejected.