Page 21 - ARUBA TODAY

A21
SPORTS Monday 19 February 2018

AP source: Hosmer, Padres reach preliminary eight-year deal

$144 million. three seasons for the Roy-
Padres manager Andy als, calling Hosmer "one of
Green could only discuss my all-time favorite team-
the acquisition of Hosmer mates" who brings "a com-
in generalities since it isn't petitive fire" that will be
final, but was hopeful of much-welcomed.
having his full team togeth- He hadn’t been in touch
er Monday. with Hosmer in recent days
"I can't replicate the mag- but they did communi-
ic of the first day twice, cate earlier in the winter
so, yeah, you want him or when Young chose San Di-
anyone to be there when ego and discussed that it
you're talking," Green said. was among Hosmer’s top
"... Not that there is any choices, too. Young said
real magic on the first day, he didn’t want to add any
but it's always nice to have pressure to Hosmer making
your camp settled as early a decision. “Hos is a legiti-
as possible." mate All-Star,” Young said.
The 28-year-old Hosmer “I think he brings a veteran
batted a career-high .318 experience, he’s a win-
In this June 30, 2017 photo, Kansas City Royals' Eric Hosmer hits a three-run home run during the in 2017 and matched his ner, he’s a champion and
fourth inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, in Kansas City, Mo. A person with best from the previous sea- a great mentor for young
direct knowledge of the deal said Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018 that free agent first baseman Hosmer has son with 25 home runs. A guys. So I think he fits all the
reached preliminary agreement on an eight-year contract with the San Diego Padres, pending a
physical. four-time Gold Glover and categories I think you’re
(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) All-Star in '16, he drove in 94 looking in terms of a team-
runs and scored 98 for the mate, a leader, a competi-
By JANIE McCAULEY It would become official full-squad workout, Hosmer Royals last season. He also tor. I think he makes any
PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Just once he passes a physical wasn't expected in the des- had a career-best .385 on- clubhouse better, much
the thought of free agent early in the week. While the ert until at least Monday. base percentage. less this one.”
first baseman Eric Hosmer final position players report- Hosmer, who spent his Veteran right-hander Chris Green knows what some-
joining the downtrodden, ed Sunday — most were first seven major league Young also came to the one such as Hosmer could
youthful San Diego Padres already in spring camp seasons with Kansas City, Padres this offseason af- mean to a club’s chances
sent a morning jolt through — ahead of Monday's first would receive a reported ter most recently pitching of turning it around . q
the spring training club-
house.
The on-field vibe seemed Gibbons: RHP Sanchez key part of Blue Jays rotation
equally cheery, as coun-
try music blared as players By MARK DIDTLER The right-hander finished bullpen session. rotation last year," Gibbons
went to work under sunny DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — To 1-3 with a 4.25 ERA and "Looks good, feeling good," said. "I stack us up with any-
skies in the Arizona desert. have a healthy chance at didn't pitch after July 19 last Gibbons said. "No signs body."
Hosmer reached a pre- a playoff spot this season, year. at all of the blister. For a Toronto used a club-record
liminary agreement on an Blue Jays manager John "Sanchie, that was a big guy who really, basically, 14 starters last season en
eight-year contract with Gibbons figures Toronto piece that was missing," missed the whole year, he route to a 76-86 record and
the Padres, pending a needs a totally healed Aar- Gibbons said. "He's com- looks pretty sharp to me." fourth-place finish in the AL
physical. A person with di- on Sanchez. ing off the year he won Sanchez is part of a rota- East. Only Stroman and Es-
rect knowledge of the deal Sanchez was an All-Star in the ERA title. So it's vital tion that includes Marcus trada made 30 starts.
confirmed the tentative 2016 when he went 15-2 that he pitches for us this Stroman, Marco Estrada, “I think it’s one of the best
deal, speaking on the con- with an American League- year, I think, if we're going J.A. Happ and newly ac- in baseball,” Garcia said of
dition of anonymity Sunday leading 3.00 ERA. But blis- to do anything. Hopefully quired Jaime Garcia, who the Blue Jays’ rotation. “It’s
because there had been ters on the middle finger of it doesn't flare up again on agreed Thursday to a one- extremely talented. Garcia
no formal announcement his pitching hand caused him." year contract that guaran- threw his first bullpen ses-
of Hosmer's potential sign- four stints on the disabled Sanchez threw 34 pitches teed him $10 million. sion since arriving in camp
ing. list last year. Saturday during his second "The injury bug got us in the Saturday. q