CHICAGO -- Long before he signed with the Padres, Gavin Sheets knew precisely what kind of opportunity he was seeking.
He had broken out as a rookie for the 2021 American League Central champion White Sox. In ’22, as the White Sox chased a return trip to the playoffs, he was mostly solid. But things changed in ’23. The White Sox’s trajectory was downward. Same, unfortunately, for Sheets.
With the White Sox out of contention in 2023 -- and historically out of contention in ’24 -- Sheets struggled. The White Sox made him a non-tendered free agent last winter -- and he was only looking for one thing from his new team.
When he signed with the Padres, he realized quickly that he’d found it.
“I knew right away,” said Sheets, who tallied an RBI single in the Padres’ 7-3 victory over the White Sox on Saturday night, as he made his return to Rate Field this weekend. “Because I knew what ’21 and ’22 were like for me personally. I had some success those years. So I didn't think that my time in the big leagues was done. I didn't think that I was the player that I was the last two years. I think that was the most frustrating thing about my time in Chicago was just the way things turned.
“That was why it was so important to get to a winning team, to play winning baseball. Because I felt like I could be a piece of that. I knew how to play the game. I knew how to play winning baseball. I just felt like if I could put that ahead of individual statistics that my game would get back to where it should be.”
Has it ever. San Diego is approaching a postseason clinch. The Reds’ win over the Cubs on Saturday means it won’t come until Monday at the earliest. But the Padres’ victory moved them a step closer. And Sheets has been instrumental in their success from Day 1.
On Opening Day, Sheets mashed a game-tying pinch-hit home run against Atlanta. He hasn’t looked back.
True to his word, his role hasn’t mattered. Sheets has spent time as the DH. He’s spent time at first base and in left field. When he doesn’t start, he’s been immensely valuable as a pinch-hitter.
“No season has a straight line,” said Padres manager Mike Shildt. “Ours hasn’t been, either. We’ve had a lot of moving pieces. But one of the consistencies has been Gavin Sheets, almost regardless of where we play him. … It speaks to the value of him as a teammate.”
When the Padres first expressed interest in Sheets -- and Sheets reciprocated that interest -- Shildt reached out to one of his mentors, Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa, who helmed those White Sox teams in 2021 and ’22. La Russa’s response, according to Shildt: “You can win with this guy.”
The Padres held a Zoom call with Sheets and his camp. Sheets told the Padres he wanted to be playing baseball where he could make an impact in the wins column. There were other interested teams. But the Padres’ roster seriously needed some lefty pop. Even though they offered Sheets only a Minor League deal, he would be given a Spring Training invitation and a very clear opportunity to win a job.
That was all Sheets needed.
“Definitely, there was uncertainty,” Sheets said. “I knew that the last two years I didn't have years that I wanted to have. So I knew that it wasn't going to be easy to get back into a role like I'm in right now. I knew that I was going to have to earn it. That lit a fire. ... It was like a fresh start.”
In 2025, Sheets has career highs in hits (119) and homers (19). He’s going to be an integral part of the Padres’ October plans -- likely as their starting DH but potentially coming off the bench in big pinch-hit spots. He has had success against both righties and lefties.
That was the backdrop Friday when Sheets returned to Chicago, where was cast off nine months ago. He was given an ovation from the fans at Rate Field, and the video board offered a welcome-back message when he came to the plate.
“It’s obviously weird being back here, and the fan support was great,” Sheets said. “It was great to see. Obviously, mixed emotions coming back.”
Sheets took time to appreciate the moment. He got to the ballpark early to say hi to some staffers and former teammates. But quickly, he fell into his daily routine. He couldn’t spend too much time being sentimental. The Padres have a playoff spot to secure.
Which, of course, is what Sheets was looking for all along.