Galvis keeps September tear going with 2 hits

SAN FRANCISCO -- In the next few months, the Padres' front office has an important decision to make regarding Freddy Galvis. The veteran shortstop will be a free agent after the season, and the club must weigh its desire to re-sign him against the costs of doing so -- both in terms of dollars and opportunity for its young infielders.
At the very least, Galvis is leaving a strong final impression.
In a 3-2 win over the Giants on Wednesday night at AT&T Park, Galvis pounded out two more hits. He's started every game this year. And yet, as the season grinds toward the finish line, no Padres player has had a better September than Galvis, who is slashing .298/.344/.476 this month.
"I'm trying to finish strong ... and let people know what I can do," Galvis said.
In the third inning, Galvis tripled, and he scored one batter later on Wil Myers' sacrifice fly. He singled, as San Diego scored again in the sixth. Travis Jankowski -- who went 3-for-4 -- swatted his fourth home run in the seventh, widening the lead to 3-0. That was just enough offense, as the Padres pieced together nine innings from their relief corps on a designated bullpen day.

As for Galvis, there might not be a more polarizing roster decision awaiting the Padres this winter. Fernando Tatis Jr. is waiting in the wings as the likely shortstop of the future. Luis Urías arrived this season with the same title attached to him at second base.
But Tatis probably won't crack the Opening Day roster. When he does arrive -- presumably in the first half next season -- some feel he's better suited to do so as a third baseman. In an infield of youngsters, Galvis' steady presence could prove valuable.
"The person at shortstop that everybody thinks we're going to have at some point in time -- he hasn't even played a full season at Double-A," said Padres manager Andy Green. "There's probably openings at that spot, to some degree, and in the utility role where [Galvis] could bounce around, too."
OK, so there's a place for Galvis on the 2019 roster. That brings us to the crux of the debate: What might the Padres (or anyone else) be willing to offer? There aren't many teams in need of help at short. But there aren't many shortstops available, either.
Eventually, the Padres want to hand over the middle-infield reins to Urias and Tatis. If Galvis re-signs, he might have to take a backseat eventually. With that in mind, it's worth wondering whether the club will meet Galvis' asking price.
"I've been playing year by year," Galvis said. "I don't feel like I want to do that anymore. I want to get a few years, I want to get [security]. I have my family, I have two daughters, that's what I'm going to look for.
"But like I've said before, I really like this team, I really like the clubhouse, I really like the guys. Let's see what happens."
PERDOMO FINISHES STRONG
The Padres used seven relievers to cover nine innings, with Aramis Garcia's two-run homer off José Castillo serving as the only blemish. Otherwise, the pitching staff was excellent. Luis Perdomo shined brightest.

It's been a rocky season for the 25-year-old right-hander, who arrived two years ago as a Rule 5 selection with seemingly boundless potential. Perdomo spent most of this year at Triple-A, and in 12 big league appearances, he posted a 7.05 ERA.
On Wednesday, Perdomo tantalized once again. He pitched three scoreless innings, striking out four and allowing only one baserunner, when Abiatal Avelino hit slow dribbler through the right side in the third for his first big league hit.

"It was a good outing," Perdomo said through a team interpreter. "This year was a little tough. There were some ups and downs. At the same time, it's good to be able to finish that game strong and go into the offseason with some momentum."
Next up for Perdomo: He'll play for Gigantes del Cibao in the Dominican Winter League.
YOU GOTTA SEE THIS
Never mind the caught-stealing numbers. Austin Hedges still has a cannon. The Padres catcher made arguably the most important play of the night Wednesday, finishing a strike-him-out-throw-him-out double play with a perfect throw to second base to nab Hunter Pence in the eighth.
Hedges has thrown out just 12 of 55 attempted base stealers this season, well below his 37 percent clip from 2017. But much of that has been out of his control, with a young pitching staff still learning to hold runners. When Hedges is given a chance, he doesn't often miss. He certainly didn't on Wednesday.

HE SAID IT
"I feel like when I'm on the field I can help the team to win some games. I can do it with the bat, I can do it with the glove, I can do it with my mind. Playing 162 is really important to me." -- Galvis, the only player in the Majors to play in every one of his team's games in 2017 and '18
UP NEXT
The Padres return to Petco Park for their final home series of the year, a three-game set against the D-backs beginning Friday at 7:10 p.m. PT. Left-hander Eric Lauer, eyeing a strong finish to an up-and-down debut season, is the first of three Padres rookies who will start in the series. Before the game, Trevor Hoffman will be honored, as the area of Park Avenue adjacent to the home plate entrance will be renamed Trevor Hoffman Way.