The San Diego Padres made a few big trades at the trade deadline. While Mason Miller and Ramon Laureano stand out, fellow Baltimore Orioles trade pickup Ryan O’Hearn is also proving to be a solid pickup.
But, compared to the Padres’ other moves, O’Hearn is only around for the rest of the 2025 season. Hitting free agency after just half a year, the veteran slugger is aiming to capitalize on his time in San Diego.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic shared comments from O’Hearn that he is hoping that his time with the Padres could help his free agent case in the offseason.
O’Hearn Aiming for Big Payday
For a player like O’Hearn, who took some time to secure a consistent spot in the Majors, his free agent contract is a big deal. But after a strong start to 2025 with the Orioles, where he earned the starting designated hitter spot on the AL All-Star team, he was dealt to the Padres.
In San Diego, his role shrank a little, from being an everyday player in Baltimore to splitting time with some of the other options the Padres have on the roster. But, despite the lower playing time, O’Hearn is confident he’ll earn a solid payday come the offseason.
“If I go to the playoffs and World Series,” O’Hearn said. “I figure I’ll be fine in free agency. Teams want to see you perform in the postseason. This team is going to get there.”
A strong postseason run from O’Hearn would certainly help him get paid. But, even based on his current production, he could still fetch a solid deal in the offseason.
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The 32-year-old left-handed slugger has a .279 batting average this season with 2.4 WAR, which makes up the bulk of his 3.1 career WAR. In 20 games with the Padres, though not an all-star, he has a 126 OPS+ and an .818 OPS.
While his average (.255) is a bit lower than it was in Baltimore (.283), he’s been a productive hitter with the Padres during his first month with the club.
Over the past six games, when he’s been an everyday starter, O’Hearn is hitting .350 with a .935 OPS. If Mike Shildt keeps O’Hearn in the starting lineup going forward after this hot stretch, then O’Hearn could be looking at a strong payday come this winter.
O’Hearn’s been in the Major Leagues for eight years and is finally set to become a free agent. It’s a big deal for O’Hearn, as he’s looking to earn a big deal in the offseason.
Thanks to his performance in San Diego lately and the potential for a strong postseason, O’Hearn is confident that he can earn a solid payday despite not being an everyday player with the Padres.
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