Credit: AP Photo

The San Diego Padres need to add more slug to their lineup before 2026, and Ryan O’Hearn fills that need.

The Padres acquired O’Hearn with Ramon Laureano from the Baltimore Orioles at this season’s trade deadline. Primarily a first baseman, O’Hearn was not the everyday first baseman after being acquired. That responsibility still belonged to Luis Arraez.

Like O’Hearn, Arraez is headed to free agency this winter. Manager Mike Schildt penciled Arraez into the no. 2 spot in the lineup night after night. In that spot, Arraez had a .719 OPS as his slugging stayed well below .400.

O’Hearn, on the other hand, finished the regular season with an .803 OPS and slugged .437. O’Hearn also had a higher wRC+ than Arraez, 127 compared to 104. If AJ Preller is looking to retain one of these two men to man first base, it makes more sense to retain O’Hearn.

 

O’Hearn offers Padres more payroll flexibility

The Padres’ payroll is expected to drop to around $190 million, according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. It could drop even lower with certain scenarios playing out in the team’s favor. It’s not yet clear how high above $200 million ownership is willing to spend to improve the team.

In any case, it would be more expensive for San Diego to retain Arraez. At 28, he is predicted to seek a 5- or even 6-year deal worth up to $90 million. Arraez doesn’t strike out much (3.1% K rate), but his lack of power doesn’t justify his annual salary of $15-$18 million.

O’Hearn is 32. He is unlikely to receive anything more than a three-year contract from any team. In addition, he’s predicted to earn $14 million per season at most when he signs his next contract. This would allow Preller and ownership to allocate money elsewhere to fill team needs.

 

O’Hearn provides lineup flexibility

The Padres’ lineup will have many of the same names next season. However, the order will be different. Fans can expect to see Fernando Tatis, Jr. remain in the leadoff spot. The name penciled beneath his is currently unknown.

O’Hearn wouldn’t bat second in the lineup if he stays in San Diego. He would, however, be a part of the heart of the order. In 2025, O’Hearn slugged .595 as the No. 3 hitter, .412 in the cleanup spot, and .471 when he batted fifth.

He was the everyday first baseman with the Baltimore Orioles before being traded, and slugged his way to his first All-Star selection. He didn’t have the same role after arriving in San Diego, where a lack of power was evident all season. The Padres ranked 22nd in slugging during the regular season.

Playing O’Hearn at first every day while batting in the heart of the order would add that needed slug the Padres missed in 2025.

 

Will it happen?

Other teams will be in on O’Hearn this winter. TJ French of Yahoo! Sports predicts that he will sign with a National League Central team, with the Cincinnati Reds being the most likely suitor. The Reds snuck into the last NL Wild Card spot thanks to a monumental collapse by the New York Mets.

A surprise playoff appearance only motivates a team to get better going into the next season. Preller has been creative in the past, and he may need to utilize that creativity to convince O’Hearn to stay. Otherwise, they’ll have to look elsewhere for a left-handed power bat.

Mike Ursery

Mike is the sports editor for the Fayette Advertiser, and has been with East Village Times since 2015. His work has appeared on Bleacher Report. He is an avid Padres fan who is keeping the faith and trusting the process.

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