By Drew VonScio is a Newsweek contributor primarily based in Pittsburgh, PA. His focus is on MLB content material. Drew has been with Newsweek since December 2024 and likewise works full-time at WTOV, a TV station in Steubenville, Ohio. He’s a 2023 graduate of Bethany School (WV) and a 2024 graduate of the S.I. Newhouse Faculty of Public Communications at Syracuse College. You will get in contact with Drew by emailing d.vonScio@newsweek.com.
Drew VonScio
Contributing Sports activities Author
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The San Diego Padres are shifting on to Plan C after Gavin Sheets’ damage.
Sheets exited Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Pittsburgh Pirates after colliding with the left discipline wall. He’s now the crew’s second left fielder to undergo an damage after Jason Heyward was positioned on the IL on Might 24.
Now, the Padres proceed their seek for an outfielder within the commerce market, and Taylor Ward is a robust candidate for the Padres to contemplate.
Luke Hales/Getty Pictures
Ward entered Monday slashing .217/.272/.493 with an OPS+ of 111. Nonetheless, the facility in his bat is displaying with 16 residence runs and 38 RBI.
The 31-year-old slugger would supply the Padres lineup with a little bit of juice as they entered Monday tied for twenty third in baseball with 53 residence runs and 222 RBI.
For the Angels, Ward has been a gentle bat within the lineup during the last a number of seasons. Whereas he is performed a whole lot of third base resulting from Anthony Rendon’s incapacity to remain wholesome, he is able to enjoying left discipline as effectively.
Ward’s protection in left discipline is league common at finest, however that should not deter common supervisor A.J. Preller and the Padres. They’ve a robust defender in Jackson Merrill in centerfield who will surely assist cowl for Ward, who does not have as a lot vary.
If the Padres had been to pursue Ward, they would not have to surrender a significant return. He is under team control through next season, so San Diego can be on the hook for the remainder of the $7.825 million he is owed this 12 months plus his arbitration wage for subsequent season.
This can be a transfer the Padres ought to attempt to make because the commerce deadline nears. With Ward’s crew management winding down, the Angels will probably be offloading him sooner reasonably than later.
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