How did the Padres fix Gavin Sheets?

I have been wondering more and more over the last few weeks, as many of you have been, what the hell is going on with Gavin Sheets. Today, I will attempt to answer that question

A bit of background

Gavin Sheets has been in the majors since 2021. Sheets hit 11 home runs in just 54 games in that season, posting an OPS over .830 for the only time in his career.

In his 2nd season, Sheets hit 15 home runs, which is still a career high for him. However, he did it over 124 games and his 99 OPS+ says he was just an average hitter that year.

In the two years since, Sheets put a slashline of .220/.289/.346 in 257 game and 845 plate appearances. That adds up to an OPS+ of just 78, making him a below-average offensive player. If you've watched Gavin Sheets, chances are you already know that he's a below-average defensive player, as well.

After the 2024 season, the White Sox opted to grant Sheets free agency rather than take him to arbitration, and he showed up in Peoria earlier this year as a training camp invite for the Padres. It may not have actually been his last chance to make it in the majors, but it probably felt that way.