Quote from fenn68 on February 19, 2019, 2:39 pm

Very encouraging on Espinosa ... LE to start with some Paddack type innings control? AA (if effective) mid-season.

Have to remember he was an elite prospect before TJ ... if his recovery is complete and he returns to his prospect status ... not too far away from Gore - Patino - Espinosa - Paddack - Morejon creating a pretty impactful rotation.

Quote from fenn68 on February 19, 2019, 2:50 pm

The signing of Machado made me think of the 25 man roster composition. Something to consider (and somewhat opposite the current situational use of players in MLB) consider the Padres starters are seeming all full time (non-platoon) types. Consider the history of games played in a season:

Machado ... > 150 games 5 of his 7 years

Hosmer ... > 150 games 6 of his 8 years

Myers ... > 150 games 2X

Margot ... 141 games in 2018

Hedges ... 120 games in 2017 (and expressed the desire to go 130--140

Tatis / Urias as elite prospects should be everyday players (especially with no quality back-ups

RF could go a lot of ways

IF the roster develop as this implies .... probably leans to veteran bench players who know how to fill that limited use role and PH/PR. bench catcher, a 3 position OF, a 3 position INF, plus one "wild card". Could make the case for Stewart - Jankowski (L) - Kinsler - Garcia (L) while committing to one RF.

Quote from fenn68 on February 19, 2019, 6:26 pm

Time to call Boras on Gio Gonzalez to stabilize the 2019 SP. Yes, 33 and lost velocity but is a proven inning eater who with a good INF defense might produce well. MLBTradeRumors had him signing for $24MM/2 years ... at this late date could become a 1 year deal for less AAV. Note that he is a So. Florida guy and I believe ties to Machado.

Padres were linked to him earlier. Bit of a downside being a LHP since Lucchesi, Lauer, Strahm, and Erlin are LHP (and probably 3 will be starters) but if they get outs ... not sure I care.

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Not really in on Kuechel given he is still seeking a longer term deal. Seems to be declining in his 30s and a bit worried that Houston is not aggressively trying to resign him given that Cole and Verlander are FA after his season and they have chosen to move some RP into starting roles along with testing some prospects over resigning Kuechel. Got to think they know how to project him better than most.

See if they can work a trade or two this spring for some stability. As of now I am going with Lucchesi - Lauer - Strahm (they love his stuff so eager to see) then ??????????? to start the season with maybe L.Allen and Paddack getting looks mid-season. Not sold on Nix or Quantrill impacting in 2019 (if at all) and not sold at all on Mitchell or Perdomo. Erlin preforms best in relief ... not starting.

Even if it is for a short 1-2 year fill ... a couple of productive veterans could make 2019 very interesting for maybe a Wild Card run (think of Oakland's SP last season ... and somehow that worked).

Quote from Booster SD on February 19, 2019, 7:08 pm

So Spring Tix just got a little more exciting. Gonna have to mix in a few more games this year.

Quote from fenn68 on February 20, 2019, 6:27 am

SP progression with the focus on the 2020-22 playoff runs assuming no major add ... don't really see a mid-range starter being added except on a short term (2019) deal.

2019: Lauer (6 years control); Lucchesi (5 years); Strahm (4 years); Mitchell (3 years); Perdomo (4 years); Erlin (2 years) ... to start all targets to get bumped during 2019

2020 adds into the mix Richards (2 years) and Lamet (5 years) both could be mid to upper rotation arms.

mid-2019 / 2020: Paddack (MLB #35); Allen (MLB #76); Quantrill; Nix

mid-2020 /2021: Morejon (MLB #46); Baez (MLB #57); Lawson; Avila

mid-2021 / 2022: Gore (MLB #13); Patino (MLB #83); Espinosa

That is a nice set of waves of top 100 talent in each year allowing the Padres to systematically sort through the ones that will impact the ML.

For me that put the Padres into adding (via trade or FA) a short term piece as needed or a major top of the rotation piece that spans 2020-2022. Just keep away form going longer term on mid-range arms that will eat payroll and clog up the development of the prospect that have the higher ceiling.

So, no to Kuechel but Gonzalez on a short term deal fits in 2019. Use 2019 to make the next evaluation of the prospects and then make a call next winter on either the big add or again the short term as needed fill. Next winter some big pitchers are FA and possible some front line arms become available via trade.

Quote from fenn68 on February 20, 2019, 2:22 pm

SP is its own saga but what might be more intriguing is the surviver in RF. Like it our not LF will be Myers and CF will be Margot (with likely Jankowski as the utility OF / backup CF). So how does RF play out?

1. Renfroe: odds on favorite due to "experience" coupled with his emerging power but what happens to the rest?

2. Reyes: great 2nd half and the potential to be the substantially better offensive threat but limited defense .... going to be tough to send him to AAA and keep him down.

3. Cordero: should be an "easy" option to AAA to start the season but has hit in AAA so, again, for how long? Padres may use this option to work on his CF play (insurance for Margot / Jankowski not developing).

4. Naylor: sure not ML ready (although some think his bat is almost there) and not a good OF BUT will be pushing the ML next ST.

If that plays out to start the season, an EP OF of Naylor - Cordero - Reyes might knock the lights out of the baseball while not catching any. At some point a couple of them have to get moved in deals or step up if they clear out Renfroe.

Not going to be an easy call for Preller. All have their shortcomings (big ones) and all have their skills that can be plus in the ML. DH would help but can't wait forever to get everyone to approve it.

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Keeping two of these options could be difficult with a 4 person bench constructed as follows:

1. Back-up catcher either Mejia or Steward

2. Back-up INF in Kinsler

3. Back-up CF in Jankowski (because he is capable defensively at all 3 OF slots .. and a LHH/PR).

4. Options: Garcia (all INF positions and LHH); Pirela (INF/OF); or Reyes (maybe Cordero)? Makes the most sense with Garcia as a LHH veteran who knows how the play the bench and does not need development time. The prospects would suffer not playing and be better served in AAA.

Quote from David Jay on February 21, 2019, 8:19 am

Yeah, yeah, Machado, interesting big league club, yadda yadda...

Minor league minicamp opens yesterday, so the MadFriars team is back on the beat for 2019.

https://madfriars.com/2019/02/21/padres-minor-league-minicamp-opens/

Quote from Booster SD on February 21, 2019, 9:09 am

That picture is not today, raining all day today.

Quote from Booster SD on February 21, 2019, 9:09 am

Hey Coniff, why do you say there are no best places to eat in Peoria?