Padres sign James Loney to minor league deal

MLB Network insider and Arby's enthusiast Jon Heyman just tweeted that the Padres have agreed to terms with first baseman James Loney on a minor league deal. You likely recall Loney from his seven seasons with the Dodgers, from 2006 through August of 2012, but he has been in the American League since heading to Boston in the trade that sent Adrian Gonzalez to Los Angeles; he spent the past three seasons with the Rays, who released him four days ago.

Loney doesn't have the power that comes to mind when most think of a first baseman, but then again we're used to Yonder Alonso, so maybe that is the kind of power you expect from the right corner of the infield. Either way, Loney has 99 home runs in 4,680 at-bats over 10 seasons, with a high of 15 way back in his sophomore season of 2007. He has a .285/ .338/ .411 career line, and hit .280/ .322/ .357 with 16 doubles and four homers in 361 at-bats last year.

His signing was one made for depth, as the AAA El Paso Chihuahuas' options at first base are Mike Olt and Ryan Schimpf, who are both better utilized elsewhere in the infield. In the worst case scenario he'll be available to call up if, goodness forbid, something happens to Wil Myers or Brett Wallace.

sources: james loney agrees to terms with padres on minor-league deal

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) April 8, 2016