Quote from BoosterSD on August 23, 2020, 7:56 pm

Anyone else thinks it really stinks that we win 7 in a row, and 7 of the last 10, and gain no ground on the Friggin Dudgers as they go 9-1 in their last 10.

Quote from Randy Manese on August 23, 2020, 8:41 pm

It is what it is and that is MONEY.  Dodgers have literally limitless resources to get the best of the best from players to coaches, analysts, administrators, trainers, etc.  How many of the Dodgers staff have Padres connections - lots!  It really does stink but I'm proud of our guys in brown and gold!  Keep battling!

Quote from Randy Manese on August 24, 2020, 2:03 pm

As we hit the halfway mark in the season, there are several things that stand out to me.  The infield defense has got to rank with the best in the league.  If we can get our pitchers to make them hit more grounders (not to our pitchers!) then it is almost always an out.  The OF defense is good, but not great.  Got some good speed but don't think the arms are that strong and sometimes the jumps we get on the ball are not the greatest.  Catching, in my opinion, has been good defensively from both Hedges and Mejia although neither has hit his weight.  Bench is adequate but can't afford long stretches where they have to start - matchups are key.

Starting pitching can be good to very good, but some inconsistencies with the 3 TJ guys; probably can expect to get better as they log more innings.  Bullpen hit hard but evolving into something better than they showed at the beginning of the year.  Really need Pomeranz back and Strahm to continue his good year.  If Pagan is allowed to get a little more rest (and hopefully not seriously injured) and Guerra and Patino continue to develop behind Hill, Quantrill and Stammen, then we have a very good chance to finish a lot stronger than we started at 18-12.  I'm hoping for 20-10 in the next 30 based on no major injuries, getting our injured guys back and continued growth/move toward the norm of our bull pen pitchers.  I don't see a scenario where we fail to make the playoffs - this is too good a team with too many players with a lot of heart that aren't going to let this happen.

Quote from Randy Manese on August 24, 2020, 4:54 pm

The fact that key to the Padres' good offensive start are 2 second year men and a rookie is remarkable.  We thought we'd be getting a lot with Pham and we were right to have those expectations but he never really got going after COVID and then got hurt.  Fans bemoaned Hosmer and Myers even being out on the field and overypaying for Machado, saying all three should be gotten rid of if anyone was foolish to take their contracts - maybe if we included some of our better prospects and paid some of their salaries, some teams would foolishly take them.  Well, the time is probably right to trade them because all have performed well this year despite batting averages that are not through the roof.  You have to give a lot of credit to the coaching staff for improvements in Hosmer and Myers, in particular, but you also have to give credit to these two guys for working hard to make their at bats relevant.   Currently, we have 6 players at at least 34% above league average in WrC+ with 2 hovering around 80% above - who would have imagined that in 2019.  I hope everyone can keep it up so that we have that good mix of veteran leadership and fearless youngsters taking us to the playoffs this year.  Let's enjoy the ride and put the past in the past.  Go Padres!

Quote from fenn68 on August 24, 2020, 6:47 pm

Not counting today’s games ... if the playoffs started with the current standings:

1. LAD vs 8. COLO

2. CUBS vs 7 SF

3. ATL vs. 6 MIA

4. SD vs. 5 STL

SF and COLO make the playoffs! Half a season to change the mix and really only PITT is out of contention ... everyone else < 2.5 games out. Got to be great for fans in all the markets with some realistic hope.

Padres get to stay in SD and STL has to travel for the 3 game series ... that is good. If round one plays on form, SD vs. LAD in a 2-2-1 series with LAD. Not a big travel challenge.

===== AL

1. OAK vs. 8. TOR

2. MINN vs. 7. CWS

3. NYY vs. 6. HOU

4. TB vs. 5. CLEV

Houston in NY for the first series ... maybe with some fans ... would be a fun watch.

Quote from Ben Davey on August 24, 2020, 9:02 pm

Quote from BoosterSD on August 23, 2020, 7:56 pm

Anyone else thinks it really stinks that we win 7 in a row, and 7 of the last 10, and gain no ground on the Friggin Dudgers as they go 9-1 in their last 10.

Meh, I am cheering for the Dodgers when they are against Az or Col.  It might be annoying that we didnt gain ground on them, but it is amazing that we are now 4 games up on 3rd place.  We went from 4th place to a comfortable 2nd place, in a week.  I would love to win the NL West, but I care more about making the playoffs.

Right now we would go against either the Cards or Marlins in the first round.  As some have mentioned there is a decent chance that the #8 seed will end up going to a team like the Mets, Phillies, or Nats.  As good as the Dodgers are, I would take deGrom over any Dodger pitcher, and while they wouldnt be the favorites, would not be shocked to see the Mets/Phills/Nats knock off the Dodgers in a short series.

Quote from Ben Davey on August 24, 2020, 9:34 pm

Quote from Randy Manese on August 24, 2020, 4:54 pm

The fact that key to the Padres' good offensive start are 2 second year men and a rookie is remarkable.  We thought we'd be getting a lot with Pham and we were right to have those expectations but he never really got going after COVID and then got hurt.  Fans bemoaned Hosmer and Myers even being out on the field and overypaying for Machado, saying all three should be gotten rid of if anyone was foolish to take their contracts - maybe if we included some of our better prospects and paid some of their salaries, some teams would foolishly take them.  Well, the time is probably right to trade them because all have performed well this year despite batting averages that are not through the roof.  You have to give a lot of credit to the coaching staff for improvements in Hosmer and Myers, in particular, but you also have to give credit to these two guys for working hard to make their at bats relevant.   Currently, we have 6 players at at least 34% above league average in WrC+ with 2 hovering around 80% above - who would have imagined that in 2019.  I hope everyone can keep it up so that we have that good mix of veteran leadership and fearless youngsters taking us to the playoffs this year.  Let's enjoy the ride and put the past in the past.  Go Padres!

While people are not rumbling about the Myers and Hosmer contracts at the moment, the question does become is this a different player or a hot streak?

Last May Hosmer hit .343/.381/.486 ... for the month!  Leading the Padres.  And yet his OPS was nearly 130 points lower for the season.  Myers currently has a ,925 OPS.  He has only ever had an OPS over .800 once, and that was his rookie season.  Is he worth 45 mil/2yrs if he continues at this pace?  Sure, but will he?  I sure hope it is them reaching their full potential, but if I am Preller, I also have one ear on the trade market hoping someone will want to take them.  Im not saying its likely, but if you can trade him (for a low level prospect really just a salary dump), maybe that frees up enough money to sign a Realmuto or Springer.  They would probably cost about the same 22 mil/yr (maybe less given COVID)

Quote from fenn68 on August 25, 2020, 6:12 am

IF the Padres go deep into to playoffs and Myers / Hosmer play well to the end ... going to be hard from a emotional team / owner  perspective to trade them and risk 2021 performance from their replacements.

IF the Padres (and Myers / Hosmer) tank down the stretch ... going to be hard given their contracts to trade them.

It is almost getting too close to the end of their deals to “force” a deal ... maybe not playing to their deals but not bad (think Chris Davis (BALT)). $20MM each in 2021 when the payroll drops from $150MM to $120MM or so ... likely little pressure (assumes no adds). 2022 the payroll goes down further (without adds) and a good chance a strike / lockout allow them to not pay a portion.

Getting close to 2023 when Myers is gone and Hosmer’s deal drops to $13MM. Side note, as I recall, Hosmer has a no-trade clause through this year ... can be traded in 2021-22 ... then in 2023 hits 5-10 and gains full no trade protection so making dealing him in his last 3 years more difficult. Then maybe a better than expected chance Hosmer exercises his opt-out after 2022 when his deal drops to 3 years at $13MM per.

Would expect both make it through their full contracts with the Padres ... not seeing a clear internal upgrade on either in the next couple of years.

Quote from WindsorUK on August 25, 2020, 11:45 am

Regardless, I'd be happy to have Hosmer opt out. Offensively, he's no better than replacement. We have a number of guys that can play there. His money could be spent better.

Don't get me wrong, I was all in on his signing. And who knows, maybe Machado coming here had something to do with Eric's signing the year before? But he just hasn't provided enough bang for the buck on the field.

I'd like to see Naylor get more reps at 1B. See what we have.