Quote from Brian Connelly on March 9, 2020, 9:22 am

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).

Well... remember, trading Margot wasn't in the forefront of Pads plans when we DFA Jankowski early on with tight roster; and we had already acquired LH Grisham.  The plan most offseason was Grisham/Margot platoon so Freddy's "D" redundant in that situation.

Cincy acquired OF this year the way we acquired 2B at MLB/minors.... including already DFA (& lost) Nick Martini and Freddy.

BUT then later in FA they: signed Moustakas for 2B pushing Senzel to OF, and signed Castellanos & Shogo Akiyama.  Also have rising Jesse Winkler listed as starter in LF, maybe more heavily used 4th OF?

Jankowski looks like 5th OF there at best, as he would be for us.  His Arb salary is just > 1 MM in 2nd year of Super-2 status, and he is OUT of options...

I had posited a return of Jankowski when Cincy signed the FA's, but before we signed Almonte & Lagares.  A RH CF capable would be a better fit, but I think the return of Freddy is an interesting possibility; dramatically upgrades OF defense at CF or RF in "close ahead" games, which there projects to be many more of.  His speed is an asset too.

So far he's having a great Spring for Cincy... but has barely played:  4 for 7, 2 2B, 2 BB, 0 K ??

Would be weird to trade him away & then back, but since we'd need a roster spot, if he doesn't stick in Cincy how about a minor deal like Bednar for Freddy?  He would get in a LOT of games in SD as a 5th/defensive OF the way our OF projects.

 

Quote from fenn68 on March 9, 2020, 9:36 am

IF the Padres wanted Jankowski ... might just get him for a waiver claim (doubt much competition) or even more likely just sign him to a minor league deal when he clears waivers. Not all that sure they want to clear a 40 man slot of him now ... especially with the need to clear a spot for Dozier and one of Almonte or Lagares.

Not worth trading anyone for him at this point in his career.

Quote from Brian Connelly on March 9, 2020, 11:49 am

Quote from fenn68 on March 9, 2020, 9:36 am

IF the Padres wanted Jankowski ... might just get him for a waiver claim (doubt much competition) or even more likely just sign him to a minor league deal when he clears waivers. Not all that sure they want to clear a 40 man slot of him now ... especially with the need to clear a spot for Dozier and one of Almonte or Lagares.

Not worth trading anyone for him at this point in his career.

Well, my scenario above assumes he gets the 5th OF spot over Almonte or Lagares.   Teams see value in Jankowski; Reds traded significant Intl pool $ to us that directly translated into a highly rated Intl signee to get an out of options guy who was hurt > 1/2 the year.

I'd be pretty surprised if he doesn't end up somewhere in MLB this year.  Reds clearly intended him to be in MLB when they traded for him; just may have subsequently found better options being so active in FA.  They might still keep him?  But they have like 10-11 OF on their 40 man.

So I'm not talking out both sides of my mouth, I do feel a RH CF capable guy is a better fit RIGHT NOW on this roster; primarily due to LH Grisham being in CF... would have been Margot.   BUT I feel like a LH CF/OF is a better fit "in general" simply b/c he matches up more favorably 75% of the time vs 25% of the time.   It also bears mentioning that we didn't have Pham yet AND tried to trade Myers all offseason.  If Preller KNEW how the entire offseason would play out AND roster hadn't been so absurdly "tight" (50 guys or whatever end of 2019 with 60_IL), end of season, I suspect he might have hung on to Jankowski into ST.

If nothing else, this speculation to me is really driving home the point that we can't have a 26-man roster where our only other playable CF option than the starter is Wil Myers...  support for a 5th OF over a THIRD BENCH "2B" INF.

Lagares opt out is 3/19.  He HAS to hit the next 10 days to warrant consideration; has not done enough so far.

Quote from WindsorUK on March 9, 2020, 12:07 pm

I can't imagine Lagares making the roster( no hit, declining defensive abilities) so would like to see Preller bring in SOMEONE who can play all over the outfield, with plus defensive skills and speed. Not so much worried about O( primarily used as defensive replacement/ pinch runner).

Our Outfield D is bad at best, atrocious at worst.

Gotta think someone will come available before opening day, maybe Freddy?

 

Quote from Brian Connelly on March 9, 2020, 12:31 pm

It just popped into my head how BAD defensively Castellanos is... so maybe Reds plan is to deploy Jankowski that way in RF; makes a lot of sense, even to the point of explaining being comfortable signing Castellanos at all!

Quote from fenn68 on March 9, 2020, 5:04 pm

Saw part of the Padres game on TV today which included an interview with Damien Easley (hitting coach). I will pass on reiterating the normal ST positive commentary on the regulars but one question was to his view of the better hitting prospects he has seen in camp. First (no surprise) was Trammell but the second name he mentioned was Arias and his hitting development. Encouraging.

Quote from WindsorUK on March 10, 2020, 12:48 am

That is encouraging.

With Arias's glove, would like for the Pads to find a place for him. And Trammell might not be needed this year but certainly see an opportunity for him next season.

Quote from fenn68 on March 10, 2020, 7:02 am

Two weeks to make the call but leaning towards Almonte getting that 4th OF slot ... switch hitter (useful for PH / subbing for all three OF slots) and can play all three OF slots. Still only 30.

Sounding from most of the reports that the Padres plan to go with Pham - Grisham - Myers as the full time options to start the season so a 4th OF will get very limited use (except as a PH). Given the expected limited playing time probably an advantage of being a veteran who can accept that role and still perform when called upon.

Also, probably a plus for both Cordero and Naylor going to AAA to work on their game and get ABs to set-up a call-up as needed. With Olivares already sent to minor league camp ... and an unimpressive audition by Lagares ... should see Lagares released. Don't see a 5th OF .. would just rot on the bench ... so more likely that extra spot goes to an INF (good news for France).

Trammell's placement will be interesting. He has received the 2nd most ABs (after Lagares) in ST and his been getting a lot of praise for his development offensively (1.049 OPS). Not going to make the roster but many assumed he would go to AA to start the season, but Preller is normally aggressive in placement and given Trammell's lofty prospect rank we could see him sent to AAA. OF/DH of Trammell, Naylor, Olivares, Cordero could make EP and interring watch plus a INF of Cronenworth, Miller, Quiroz (all top 30 prospects) and Torrens behind the plate ... seems pretty good.

Quote from 3fingersplit on March 10, 2020, 7:31 am

The whole outfield portion of the roster depends on where Pham is on opening say...able to throw or on the DL...the guys elbow is fubar