By Jordan Long
The San Diego Padres are keeping a big piece of their bullpen. Closer Brad Hand signed a 3-year deal with a club option for 2021. It is worth $19.75 million. According to ESPN, Hand said, “I’m 27 right now and have the chance to be a free agent again at a younger age, which is something we kind of wanted to keep in play, I don’t think they’re far off here from winning — maybe three or four years from now will be a very exciting time.”
Hand has been with the Padres since 2016. Last season was his best as a closer for the Padres. He had 21 saves but had 5 blown saves. His record was 3-4 with a 2.16 ERA. The Padres trusted him to go into games and shut opponents down. Hand struck out 104 batters which helped him with the 21 saves.
The problem with him is pitch location. He couldn’t keep the ball down which allowed batters to have hits or home runs. Hand gave up 9 home runs and he walked too many batters with 20.
Luckily for the Padres they are rebuilding. Hand could have decided to go somewhere else to be a 7th or 8th inning reliever but decided to stay in San Diego. He knows they are rebuilding and wants to be in San Diego when they make the playoffs. That may take 2 or 3 years.
The Padres are hoping they will be competitive in the next few years. Games will come down to Hand. He must not blow saves and work on his pitching location to not allow as many home runs. Hand must prove to the Padres he can be the closer for years to come. Hopefully that will happen and maybe even bring a World Series title back to San Diego.
What do you think of the San Diego Padres keeping Brad Hand?
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