Pending a physical, the San Diego Padres will sign 31 year old Brad Hawpe over the weekend to a one year contract. Hawpe, a Type B free agent, was traded mid season last year from the Rockies to the Tampa Bay Rays. He is expected to play 1st base for the Friars. The lefty swinger has a career .271/.367/.467 slash line, but is only a .245/.322/.438 career hitter against southpaws. The Padres are likely to find a platoon partner for him. Hawpe has patrolled the corner outfield positions most of his career but is considered a weak defender. As a matter of fact, per cumulative UZR, he ranks as one of the top ten worst fielders in the last decade (RF, -83.8). He has hit well inside Petco Field, and should be on one's fantasy radar in NL-only leagues.
