The San Diego Padres are at a crossroads with first baseman Yonder Alonso. San Diego is starved for offensive production and it is apparent that the team must target offensive upgrades in the off-season. The Padres could be inclined to search for a first baseman, in place of Yonder Alonso. 

A few years ago, Alonso looked like a long-term option for the Padres. San Diego acquired Alonso, catcher Yasmani Grandal, reliever Brad Boxberger and starting pitcher Edinson Volquez from Cincinnati, in exchange for pitcher Mat Latos. The Padres believed that Alonso, with a line-drive swing and power to the gaps would be a better fit in Petco Park than Anthony Rizzo, who was traded to Chicago for Andrew Cashner. Rizzo's departure was controversial among fans, and has only been magnified by the player that Rizzo has developed into. 

2012 was Alonso's first full season in San Diego, and he showed a ton of promise. That year Alonso tied for ninth in the National League with 39 doubles, and he finished 6th in National League Rookie of the Year race. Alonso only hit nine homers that year, but he figured to give the Padres what they expected: a solid hitter who can get on-base and split the gaps in spacious Petco Park. Alonso also showed he was durable, as he played 155 games that season.

In 2013, Padres fans hoped Alonso would build on a very solid rookie campaign, and take the next step and supply more power. Instead, his year was ruined by injuries, including a broken hand. Alonso only played in 96 games in 2013, but did manage to hit .281, although he only slugged .368. Still, the Padres did not have a better internal option, and they declined to search for an upgrade. Former general manager Josh Byrnes hoped that Alonso would blossom into a solid contributor in 2014, a scenario that obviously did not come to fruition. 

Alonso is done for the rest of 2014, after undergoing season-ending surgery for a damaged tendon in his right arm, when healthy, Alonso batted inconsistency and wrist and arm injuries. Alonso will finish the year with a triple-slash line of .240/.285/.397, with seven homers and 27 RBI's. His walk rate was a putrid 5% -- down from 10% from his rookie season. The declining production and the propensity for injuries are clearly not what San Diego envisioned for the 27-year-old. However, this writer believes the writing is on the wall for Alonso. 

Alonso was acquired by Josh Byrnes, who was fired earlier this year. The Padres new general manager, A.J. Preller, has no allegiance to the first baseman. San Diego is in desperate need for offensive upgrades, and the lack of production by Padres first baseman has created an obvious void in the lineup. Tommy Medica is the obvious in-house candidate, although San Diego could look at the trade market, or pursue a costless agent.

This writer has never been a full-fledged supporter of Alonso, as he has referred to him as "Sean Burroughs 2.0" -- a hyped prospect who looks like he should have power, but has the power of a utility infielder. Alonso has never posted a slugging percentage above .400 in a full season. Alonso does have a few things that work in his favor.

He is still just 27, he was once a top-50 prospect, and he has shown flashes that he can be a solid contributor. He is eligible for arbitration, and his salary should be reasonable. In addition all of that, the costless agent market is pretty barren. Mike Morse and Corey Hart are probably the best costless agents. Billy Butler could hit the market if the Royals decline his option. The lack of viable replacements could be what saves Alonso's job in 2015. 

From what this author is seen, San Diego needs to go in a different direction. Alonso has little power, little hope and cannot stay healthy. The Padres simply cannot sit on their hands and expect Alonso to return to form. It is time for an upgrade.