San Diego Padres sign Connor Joe, a native of San Diego, and experienced offensive lineman Heyward

MLB Rumors: San Diego Padres sign Connor Joe, a native of San Diego, and experienced offensive lineman Heyward

In order to solve their lack of depth in left field, the Padres set to work. San Diego announced a one-year contract with veteran outfielder Jason Heyward and reached an agreement with outfielder/first baseman Connor Joe.

Joe, a 32-year-old native of San Diego, was selected 39th overall by the Pirates in 2014 after graduating from the University of San Diego. He has played with the Giants, Rockies, and Pirates for portions of five major league seasons.

Joe hit.285/.379/.469 (116 OPS+) with eight home runs in 63 games as a rookie in 2021 with the Rockies. He was traded to the Pirates in 2022 after having a poor season at the plate.

He hit nine home runs in 416 plate appearances during his two seasons with Pittsburgh, posting an OPS of.726.

Although his offensive output has been patchy over the last ten years, Heyward, who is starting his age-35 campaign, has a longer and more successful history. Heyward was selected by the Braves with the 14th overall pick in the 2007 Draft. On April 1, 2010, he made his eagerly awaited MLB debut against the Cubs, hitting a home run in his first plate appearance.

Heyward recorded a.769 OPS and won three of five consecutive Gold Glove Awards from 2011 to 2015, although he lost to fellow Georgia high school star Buster Posey in the National League Rookie of the Year voting.

He helped the Cubs win their first World Series in 108 years, despite having a challenging season at the plate in 2016.

Before joining the Dodgers as a free agent in 2023, Heyward played for Chicago for the following six seasons. In 377 plate appearances as a platoon option, he recorded a.813 OPS with 15 home runs during his comeback season with Los Angeles. He concluded the previous season with a.700 OPS and 10 home runs while playing for the Dodgers and Astros.

The Padres hope to finish their outfield lineup, which already includes sluggers Fernando Tatis Jr. in right and Jackson Merrill in center, with these acquisitions.