In 2025, Luis Arráez started 112 games at first base for the Padres, and Ryan O’Hearn started 25 games. Arráez’s time is seemingly over in San Diego as he hits the open market, and the Padres traded O’Hearn at the trade deadline this past season.
Gavin Sheets, who started 11 games at first in 2025, is slotted to be the starting first baseman next season. Sheets had a career year in 2025, posting a 111 wRC+ and a career-high 1.3 fWAR, but he’s also a player who sported a .227/.291/.368 slash line, .659 OPS, 85 wRC+, and -2.1 fWAR in his three seasons with the White Sox from 2022 to 2024.
Sheets earned a starting spot with his production in 2025, but the Padres must be prepared with a contingency plan should he regress back to his career norm. Hoskins would be the perfect candidate for that role.
Seeing that Sheets is a left-handed batter, Hoskins would compliment him well at first base. He could also get some reps at DH when needed, as Tirso Ornelas is currently slotted into that role per RosterResource.
Hoskins should be in the Padres’ price range, there is a current need at first base, and he would compliment their current starting first baseman well. The Padres check a lot of boxes as a top landing spot for Hoskins.
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks traded away first baseman Josh Naylor at the deadline last year, and they replaced him with the headliner in their return for Eugenio Suárez, Tyler Locklear.