PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Now former Pirates All-Star Adam Frazier wasn’t surprised to be traded, but was surprised it was San Diego.
“I had been hearing for a month, the Mets and White Sox and all that, day after day after day,” Frazier said Monday. “I know I can’t control any of it, so I really didn’t caught up too much in it. You get the Mariners coming in the day before yesterday and the Padres yesterday. Not much better spot to be able to land than San Diego.”
Frazier said when he would get home from Pirates games, he would turn on San Diego because of their whole deal. The way they play, the swagger in which they play and the talent on the field.
“Padres are the most exciting team to watch in baseball,” Frazier said. “Tatis doing something electric. The swag chain, I think it’s very exciting for the game. The country is taking notice of that. Happy to be a part of it now and hopefully I can join in on it. I’m not the flashiest of guys, but I like to have a good time and winning is fun.”
He also will be with several All-Stars saying he’s looking forward to the protection a lineup with Fernando Tatis, Manny Machado, Jake Cronenworth will bring. Already leading Major League Baseball in hits, he could get even better. He’s also fine with wherever he plays.
“I’m assuming I will bounce around because I can do that,” Frazier said. “Being on a team like this, wherever I can help a team win is where I will be. I will be ready.”
Frazier said he thought he was going to be traded this offseason and then the intensity from the trade talks just picked up daily.
“I heard it from teammates every day, ‘you’re still here’?” Frazier said. “Just take it in stride, have fun, play the game. It’s been a whirlwind month. Just try to play ball and worry about what I can control.”
It has been quite a change from when Pirates manager Derek Shelton pulled him down into the tunnel during the game in San Francisco on Sunday to tell him of the trade. Frazier joked that Shelton was thanking him and wishing him luck and finally Frazier had to ask what team he was going to.
“I was pretty excited to join a team like San Diego has, it’s pretty unbelievable,” Frazier said. “I’m looking forward to getting after it.”
The 29-year-old goes from a team in last place, 23 games under .500 to a team with young stars, currently in the second NL Wild Card slot, 14 games over .500.
“My whole life all I’ve done is win until I got to the big leagues,” Frazier said. “To be able to do that again, be in a playoff push. I couldn’t be more excited about it. That’s what we live for, looking forward to it.”