Padres obtain Robinson as possible fill-in

By Jim Callis
March 29, 2004

Kerry Robinson may have lost St. Louis' left-field job to Ray Lankford, but he still may appear in an Opening Day lineup—for San Diego. The Padres acquired him on Monday for Brian Hunter, and Robinson could become their starting center fielder until Jay Payton recovers from a strained right hamstring.

Robinson, 30, simply doesn't provide enough offense to merit playing every day. His speed and defensive skills are useful, but he's a career .263/.301/.339 with three homers, 46 RBIs and 24 steals in 579 at-bats over 365 games. Last year, he hit .250/.281/.322 with one homer and 16 RBIs in 116 games. He'll make $450,000 in 2004.

Hunter, 33, has been in a steady decline since leading the American League with 74 steals in 1997. The Astros released him last July after he hit .235/.278/.316 with no homers or steals and 13 RBIs in 98 at-bats over 56 games, and he signed a minor league deal with the Padres in the offseason. His speed serves him well on the basepaths and in center field, but Hunter is a punchless hitter who doesn't help himself by eschewing walks. He's a career .264/.313/.346 hitter with 25 homers, 241 RBIs and 260 steals in 1,000 games.