Quote from Brian Connelly on March 7, 2020, 9:52 am

Quote from fenn68 on March 6, 2020, 4:33 pm

Listening to Cassavell on the radio and his reporting is that there is no thought of Guerra as a two way player ... 100% RP going forward and likely to make the 26 man ... Padres really really like his upside.

As for Cronenworth, they see him as a middle INF but are working him on the side on his pitching. Cassavell confirmed that he really has not pitched virtually at all since college (4 years) until last season when he went 7 innings with 7 BB. Did not sound as though they are focused on making him a two way player. Guessing they are just setting him up to be the extra inning / blowout guy if he makes the 2020 squad. Should note that in 2021 if Cronenworth ends up splitting 2B with Miller and does the extra inning / mop up RP ... he might get the designation without “forcing” the playing time.

Even though Cronenworth is very "old" for a prospect and really has nothing left to prove at AAA, it might make the most sense for him to go to AAA to play a lot of 2B (only 30 games started there last 2 years) AND to develop in a more controlled/structured way as a RP?  Specifically focus on what his role with Pads is likely to be going forward?

As for Guerra, the situation I could see happening is him pinch hitting in the P spot in either a blowout win/loss, or more likely, extra innings when the bench & most of the bullpen is used up.  Hard to envision a situation where he would actually take the field.

Quote from Ben Davey on March 7, 2020, 6:47 pm

Quote from Brian Connelly on March 7, 2020, 9:52 am

Quote from fenn68 on March 6, 2020, 4:33 pm

Listening to Cassavell on the radio and his reporting is that there is no thought of Guerra as a two way player ... 100% RP going forward and likely to make the 26 man ... Padres really really like his upside.

 

Even though Cronenworth is very "old" for a prospect and really has nothing left to prove at AAA, it might make the most sense for him to go to AAA to play a lot of 2B (only 30 games started there last 2 years) AND to develop in a more controlled/structured way as a RP?  Specifically focus on what his role with Pads is likely to be going forward?

As for Guerra, the situation I could see happening is him pinch hitting in the P spot in either a blowout win/loss, or more likely, extra innings when the bench & most of the bullpen is used up.  Hard to envision a situation where he would actually take the field.

You will definitely see Guerra NOT used as a pinch hitter.  If anything, you will see him take the field.  As a defender Guerra > Tatis Jr.  That was one of the reasons why when they were both in Triple-A you saw Guerra start more at SS.  Guerra is a tremendous fielder with a cannon for an arm.  He just also set the record for strikeouts (one that Michael Gettys either challenged or broke the next year).  Either way, there is no reason to try and get Guerra or Cro two-way designation.  Our pen is so deep that why would you want to use your worst reliever unless it was extra innings or a blowout.

There is no reason to discuss further the two-way designation for either player.  It seems like Padres are just having him take occasional bullpens in case he needs to get used in a pinch (maybe 5x all year).  As far as him starting in Triple-A, it might come down to him verse Garcia for the last spot.  Unless Dozier falls a part, he probably makes it, and there is no real reason to carry three 2B on the team.  If Tatis needs a day off or gets hurt Cro would be the natural fit at SS.

Quote from fenn68 on March 8, 2020, 5:55 am

Baring an end of ST trade (still a possibility) looking as though Dozier (RHH) and Profar (switch hitter) will split 2B with Garcia (LHH) a utility PH/INF ... with Hosmer, Tatis, Machado that sets up 4 starters and 2 bench options. Some good LHH-RHH balance for PH and match-ups with Profar able to cover SS / 1B in an emergency.

That leaves 2 slots ... one clearly an OF and that should go to a CF insurance player ... going with Almonte (another switch hitter) who may not be a great defensive option but can at least hit a bit (better than Lagares) and cover all three slots and PH. Not going to play all that much behind Pham - Grisham - Myers, at least to start the season.

That will leave one slot ... someone who will not get any playing time except PH/PR early in the season. That seems a set-up for a veteran ... preferably one that can be effective as a PH. Not sure the Padres have that body in play and for later in the season may want any real prospect (e.g. Cordero, Cronenworth) playing ... so, AAA. The closest fit for #26 may be Ty France ... RHH who can hit a bit, play 3B/1B/emergency catcher, three slots not covered all that well by the other roster options.

Quote from 3fingersplit on March 8, 2020, 6:11 am

I would agree with one exception.....Pham will be on the DL either to start the season or shortly after so they really should plan for that and I'm sure they have considered that reality. I have said that was going to happen numerous times since the trade...it's pretty hard to play the OF if your elbow on your throwing arm doesn't work and the NL doesn't have a DH.

I hope he gets well enough to help this year because I am not a fan of Cordero or Naylor......Croenworth maybe ?

Quote from Ben Davey on March 8, 2020, 3:13 pm

Quote from fenn68 on March 8, 2020, 5:55 am

Baring an end of ST trade (still a possibility) looking as though Dozier (RHH) and Profar (switch hitter) will split 2B with Garcia (LHH) a utility PH/INF ... with Hosmer, Tatis, Machado that sets up 4 starters and 2 bench options. Some good LHH-RHH balance for PH and match-ups with Profar able to cover SS / 1B in an emergency.

That leaves 2 slots ... one clearly an OF and that should go to a CF insurance player ... going with Almonte (another switch hitter) who may not be a great defensive option but can at least hit a bit (better than Lagares) and cover all three slots and PH. Not going to play all that much behind Pham - Grisham - Myers, at least to start the season.

That will leave one slot ... someone who will not get any playing time except PH/PR early in the season. That seems a set-up for a veteran ... preferably one that can be effective as a PH. Not sure the Padres have that body in play and for later in the season may want any real prospect (e.g. Cordero, Cronenworth) playing ... so, AAA. The closest fit for #26 may be Ty France ... RHH who can hit a bit, play 3B/1B/emergency catcher, three slots not covered all that well by the other roster options.

Agree with most of it.

I think between Almonte and Lagares, Lagares has the advantage.  They will probably keep a defensive specialist in the OF for late innings as none of Myers/Grisham/Pham are considered + defenders.  I think they also carry a BigBat(tm) in the OF as a late PH or spot start (either Cordero or Naylor).

In the infield, I think you are right that the Padres will carry both Profar and Dozier.  If they do that leaves one spot between Garcia/Cro/France.  Garcia has the inside track but Cro is probably the best defender of the 3 and France probably the best batter.  France also gives them the ability to use Mejia as a PH as he is an emergency catcher (also plays 1B/3B).

My guess is the bench is Cordero, Lagares, Dozier, Garcia, Hedges.

Quote from fenn68 on March 8, 2020, 3:42 pm

I guess we will see how the Padres balance defense on the bench vs PH value. Not looking as though they can get both in one player. What leads to more wins ... bringing in a defense ace to help preserve a lead or bringing in PH when losing to tie or go ahead. Someone has to have some stats on that.

From what I have seen of Pham and Grisham ... not impressive defensively. We know about Myers. Knew Pham was nothing special defensively but in LF and plus offense justifies him.

It will be interesting to see Grisham in CF over an extended period ... the rep was a weak arm but good speed and jumps. Weak arm seems valid but looks "stiff" moving in CF and has been "boxing" some balls on the ground. He is making the case for Lagares ... IF Lagares is still the defensive plus he was earlier in his career ... clearly can't hit. Then again, not sure Grisham can hit ML stuff well enough if his defense is wanting.

Almonte is past his CF days (if there were any) and Cordero is not a good defensive CF. Both have some hitting skills. Things could fall in a way that we see Trammell in CF by mid-season (assuming he is a defensive upgrade) or even Olivares.

CF COULD BE a revolving door in 2020.

If adding Dozier results in dropping Valera. Adding either non-roster Lagares or Almonte forces another move off the 40 man ... G.Reyes? (baring a trade).

Quote from 3fingersplit on March 8, 2020, 4:42 pm

LOL....I wonder if we could trade for some guy named Renfroe....doesn't have a bad elbow, way upper half in assist put outs and 30+ HR but his avg is less and his strike out ratio is less than a guy everybody thinks should be playing.....Oh wait....we had him....nevermind

Quote from WindsorUK on March 8, 2020, 4:46 pm

And why in the world is Travis Jankowski not still here? If we were looking to shop Margot, without ANY other CF in our system, Freddy was a keeper.

Will he stick in Cincinnati?

Quote from fenn68 on March 8, 2020, 5:34 pm

Quote from WindsorUK on March 8, 2020, 4:46 pm

And why in the world is Travis Jankowski not still here? If we were looking to shop Margot, without ANY other CF in our system, Freddy was a keeper.

Will he stick in Cincinnati?

Can't hit was the logic ... and somewhat injury prone. Doubt he makes the CINN 26 man ... he only had 22 AB with the ML club last year. Still has a minor league option left (I think).

As for Margot, he too had plus defense and actually could hit some AWAY from PETCO ... less sure why they dealt him without a legit CF in the fold. I guess they have more faith in Grisham now and Trammell coming soon than I do.

Padres were in a similar situation a few years back (don't remember when) but do recall they were scrambling to find a decent CF into the season.

Maybe the school of though in the Padres FO is that in general defense is over-rated if the trade off is zero offense. Yes, truly bad defense is a problem but maybe a team can live with mediocre defense if those players provide offense ... and do need to score runs to win. Remember this is a team that put Wil Myers in CF and at 3B! That is not great news for the future of Hedges ... but for now can't find even two poor defensive catchers who can hit, so Hedges hangs on.