MLB Rumors: Eric Hosmer, San Diego Padres agree on deal, per report

MLB Rumors: Eric Hosmer and the San Diego Padres have agreed to terms on a deal, per Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union Tribune. The 28 year old Hosmer had been seeking a deal in the 7-9 year range, per reports, and indications had been that the Kansas City Royals, who drafted him in the first round of the 2008 draft, and the Padres were the two teams most likely to land him.

No word yet on terms of the agreement, though Scott Boras, Hosmer’s agent, has been adamant about seeking a large, long-term commitment. Hosmer put up a .318/.385/.498 slash line for Kansas City last year, but has tended to run hot and cold with the bat, and has a career .284/.342/.439 slash line. His defense is also the source of a fair amount of controversy, with defensive metrics suggesting he’s a mediocre first baseman, while scouting reports are more glowing.

UPDATE -- Jon Morosi says this is an eight year deal, with an opt-out after year five.

UPDATE II — Scott Miller says that Hosmer gets $20 million per year in the first five years, and then $13 million per year in the final three years of the deal. This makes it effectively a 5 year, $100 million contract with a $39 million insurance policy for Hosmer in case he falls apart over that span, since if he is even moderately productive, he would seem likely to be able to get more than 3 years, $39 million following his age 32 season in the 2022-23 offseason.