How will the addition of Jim Edmonds help the Padres?
The Edmonds trade hasn’t attracted a great deal of attention nationally, in part because Edmonds has missed 97 games over the last two seasons. At 37, Edmonds has won eight Gold Gloves and made four All-Star teams. While he isn’t likely to bat .300 or hit 40 home runs again, Edmonds has really only had one bad year, and that would be last year (.252, 12 homers). In 2006, he got on base 35 percent of the time and totaled 19 homers and 70 RBI in 350 at-bats. So it’s not unreasonable to think Edmonds could put together another nice year — if he stays healthy. Edmonds’ outfield defense is also valuable, because the Padres’ other outfielders are better suited for the corners and in a large yard like Petco Park, outfield defense is at a premium.
