Used to be – around these parts anyway – Eric Hosmer mattered…
Not so much anymore.
As luck would have it, I just happen to have an excellent source in the San Diego Padres organization where Hosmer now toils.
Much to their chagrin.
Cuz prior to the 2018 season Hosmer inked the largest contract in Padres history, an eight-year, $144 million deal.
Whereupon he launched his career by whiffing an easy infield pop giving Houston a walk off win and earning the Wizard of Hoz an embarrassing blooper spot on ESPN.
Flash forward to this year’s All Star Game…
Hosmer’s nowhere to be found, but his lesser known mates Whit Merifield and Mike Moustakas made the cut.
“Considering the beginning of a long-term contract is when a player is supposed to be providing the most value, Hosmer’s woeful 2018 production was downright alarming,” wrote MLB Trade Rumors on July 4th. “The Padres needed a rebound from Hosmer coming into this season, and while he has gotten better, the respected veteran still hasn’t given the Friars much bang for their buck on the field. The best thing you can say about Hosmer the Padre is that he has been available more than most players… And Hosmer’s one of the major’s slowest runners making his grounder-heavy skill set even less conducive to success.”
So it is that Hosmer – arguably the biggest Royals superstar since George Brett – didn’t come close to qualifying for this year’s All Star team. And from the looks of things, his days as a young, up-and-coming Royals star may be the highlight of his MLB career.
Kind of a sad ending to Hosmer’s fairytale start here in KC.
Hey, at least he’s got a fat paycheck to fall back on.
“Hosmer inked the largest contract in Padres history, an eight-year, $144 million deal.”
– that that’s so 2018, HC… Manny Machado – the self-ascribed ‘I’m Not Johnny Hustle’ – signed a 10-year, $300,000,000 deal just yesterday (actually less than 5 months ago, but who counts time when millions be a wastin’.)
They say it never rains in California… does: money, tears and idiocy. A lot of wallet for not much wallop – an combined $444 million Machado/Hosmer duo. That the latter is bettering the former in most statistical categories, $mall solace. SD’s already 14 games out of first place halfway point, not even qualifying wild card post season started now.
If that sounds familiar (it should/does), the sun is also not shining Paris of the Plains, where our Mighty Casey fraudroyals are proving nigh daily they can stink quite nicely without Hosmer’s help, and, far more economically too, thank you. On pace to ‘worst’ a franchise record fewest W’s/most L’s in a season, despite MLB (as NFL/NBA, same) bleeding the ‘no team left behind, every gets a participation invitation’ turnip dry, the Peter Principle perseveres anyway, sports.
Speaking of which, ‘if another season is another reason to make whoopee’, can ‘wait till next year, part 2019, verse 50’ be far behind? Parables of Jesus adapted, fandom NFL city near you, asked if they aren’t tired of having to keep carrying their big load. “No, they’re not heavy – swiss chiefs are just pacing themselves – this is our year!”
😎
While 2018 was a down year, Hosmer’s 2019 stats are at or slightly above his career averages. He’s on pace to match or exceed personal bests for homers and RBI’s, while giving the Padres pretty much what he gave the Royals. Can’t blame him for grabbing the bucks.