The Padres introduced this afternoon that they’ve chosen the contract of shortstop Nick Ahmed. To accommodate the addition of Ahmed to the membership’s energetic and 40-man rosters, infielder Mason McCoy was positioned on the 10-day injured checklist on account of again irritation whereas right-hander Jhony Brito was recalled to the majors earlier than being positioned on the 60-day IL on account of a proper elbow pressure.
Ahmed, 34, was a second-round decide by the Braves again in 2011 however spent his complete large league profession as a member of the Diamondbacks till this yr. Ahmed spent components of ten seasons within the desert, slashing a comparatively lackluster .234/.288/.376 (73 wRC+) throughout that point. He nonetheless proved to be an extremely worthwhile asset to the Snakes because of his elite glovework at shortstop, nevertheless, as evidenced by his +80 Defensive Runs Saved and +110 Outs Above Common on the place throughout his time with Arizona.
Whereas he battled accidents all through his time with the membership that saved him from beginning even 100 video games greater than 4 instances, Ahmed nonetheless took house two Gold Glove awards and was among the many higher all-around shortstops within the sport from 2018 to 2019 as he posted an 88 wRC+ and seven.4 fWAR in 311 video games throughout that two-year stretch. Sadly, issues took a flip for the more severe beginning in 2021, as he Ahmed would seem in simply 218 video games over the subsequent three years whereas slashing a paltry .219/.272/.336 on the plate whereas his protection regressed within the subject. Between Ahmed’s regular decline and the emergence of Geraldo Perdomo in Arizona, Ahmed headed into free company following the 2023 season looking for a brand new house.
In doing so, he’s coincidentally begun one thing of a tour of the opposite golf equipment within the AL West. Ahmed began the 2024 marketing campaign with the Giants after signing with the membership on a minor league deal over the offseason. He appeared in 52 video games with the membership however slashed simply .232/.278/.303 in that point earlier than being launched again in July when San Francisco determined to show in direction of Tyler Fitzgerald at shortstop down the stretch. It wasn’t lengthy earlier than Ahmed discovered a brand new group, nevertheless, and he signed an enormous league cope with the Dodgers shortly earlier than the commerce deadline to supply the membership some depth at shortstop amid accidents to Mookie Betts and Miguel Rojas. Ahmed remained with the membership for just below a month, hitting .229/.245/.292 in 17 video games earlier than finally being designated for task and electing free company.
After signing a minor league cope with the Padres simply previous to the deadline for postseason eligibility on September 1, Ahmed is now set to hitch his third NL West membership of the season and fourth of his profession. With shortstop Ha-Seong Kim at the moment on the IL due irritation in his proper shoulder and no return in sight, Ahmed can present the membership with extra depth at shortstop behind Xander Bogaerts because the membership gears up for the playoffs. Bogaerts was moved off shortstop over the offseason on account of Kim’s standing as a superior defender and struggled badly early within the yr, however since coming back from the injured checklist in mid-July has turned issues round with a strong .296/.338/.436 slash line over his final 58 video games.
Whereas the membership’s infield at the moment seems to be full with some mixture of Luis Arraez, Donovan Solano, and Jake Cronenworth dealing with first base, second base, and DH on most days, Ahmed may push Bogaerts to second base occasionally towards left-handed pitching to provide Cronenworth or Arraez a break day in a tricky match-up or late in video games as a defensive alternative. Ahmed joins Tyler Wade, David Peralta, and Elias Diaz among the many doubtless bench choices for the membership headed into the postseason.
As for Brito, the right-hander final appeared in a sport on the main or minor league degree over a month in the past, so it’s hardly a shock that he’s been nursing an harm. The righty’s first season with the Padres involves a detailed with a 4.12 ERA and three.72 FIP in 43 2/3 innings of labor as an optionable multi-inning aid possibility for the membership out of the bullpen, and the 26-year-old seems more likely to enter 2025 poised to fill an identical function with the membership going ahead.
