Quote from fenn68 on June 22, 2022, 5:25 pm

A real contending (and winning team) usually gets “career performances” from some unknowns that most say where did he come from. Dodgers have been doing that for years. Looks as though the 2022 Padres are beginning to look to have that unexpected boost after the loss of Tatis. Consider:

1. Profar (who many just wanted to release) has a .775 OPS while playing above average defense in LF as a regular  .. ranked near the top LF in WAR.

2. Alfaro who was picked up for cash from Miami who was ready to release him … sports a .826 OPS (128 AB) and has taken over the #1 C from a struggling Nola.

3. Mazara who was a FA signed to a minor league deal after two ugly seasons in CWS/DET … only 57 AB but stepped in as Myers goes IL and is delivering a .737 OPS.

Note: all three are Preller guys from Texas.

4. Azocar was a minor league FA signed a couple of years ago after being released by DET(?) … got the chance due to injuries and in 90AB a .694 OPS and good OF defense. OPS is just below “average”.

5. Kim has stepped in as a full time player to cover Tatis … after a disappointing 2021 he has delivered .673 OPS (218 AB) and plus defense … he has stepped up and stabilized the INF.

Elite players … no … but playing solid ball filling in what otherwise would be major holes in the line-up.

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Also profs to Preller for adding Manaea and Rogers … both critical for the staff … at reasonable prices. In the better than expected category is Martinez … a veteran unknown from Japanese league with a poor history in his MLB stints.

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All have done enough to offset the underperformances from Nola and Grisham and the injuries to Tatis, Myers, and assorted pitchers.

Quote from MrPadre19 on June 23, 2022, 7:34 am

Padres are currently 1 win short of the most wins in the NL.

Also,3rd in run differential in MLB and 2nd in NL behind the Duds only.

Have moved ahead of Houston in both and the Mets in run differential.

Quote from BoosterSD on June 23, 2022, 7:49 am

Quote from MrPadre19 on June 23, 2022, 7:34 am

Padres are currently 1 win short of the most wins in the NL.

Also,3rd in run differential in MLB and 2nd in NL behind the Duds only.

Have moved ahead of Houston in both and the Mets in run differential.

Pitching and defense so far this year.

Quote from Randy Manese on June 23, 2022, 11:04 am

We need at least one of the two lefties, Gore or Snell, to rise to the level or near the level of our top 3 starters.  If we get 5 of 6 starting pitchers being competitive with quality starts, we certainly will solidify our playoff chances and could edge out the Dodgers for the top spot if they continue to deal with injuries.  Don't expect Tatis to perform at All-Star levels when he returns, but the offense should be better than what Kim can provide on a daily basis; Kim, however, is elite in the field so might give us some flexibility to rest Croney and Machado a little during the dog days of August.

It will be interesting to see what the Padres do with their "excess" RP's when Pomeranz, Johnson and Suarez come back and Jose Castillo continues to shine at El Paso.  Only Crismatt, Morejon, Hill and Wilson have options but I believe Castillo also has options if he is returned to the 40 man; Crismatt has been fabulous, Morejon is unpredictable and both Hill and Wilson were on the verge of being sent down but have since been a lot better.  Might package a RP with a higher level prospect to land something of value, albeit not a Reynolds - maybe an Oriole OF - they have many decent ones who are just a little bit better than Mazara/Azocar.

Quote from Henry Silvestre on June 23, 2022, 11:20 am

I think Lamet 0.00 ERA AAA...gets traded soon.. either for OF help or even for a non 40 low level minors prospect... for 1 if he comes back up for a few days he runs out of options ..for 2 he is making close to $5mil and if we want to reset lux tax we need to stay under so the room is needed if we are to add a Mancini or the like at the Deadline...

Quote from fenn68 on June 23, 2022, 12:06 pm

Remember today they need to move one of the active pitchers to accommodate the activation of Musgrove. Probably either Morejon or Wilson optioned.

However, something has to break in the pen … probably nearer the All-Star break. By then Padres may have a better idea the recovery trajectory of Pomeranz, Suarez, and Johnson … none have (as far as I can tell) been throwing in earnest as yet then a rehab period. Not counting on Adams return. Those extra weeks will help the Padres get Castillo up to speed to pitch (effectively) on consecutive days and just heavier usage … so far he has been effective but in a very controlled usage pattern. IF called up … he needs to be prepared to be used more aggressively on a 7 man pan.

Quote from Henry Silvestre on June 23, 2022, 12:50 pm

Saw Pomz hanging with Musgrove on the Padres dugout yesterday whatever if anything that means... getting to hang with the boys ..learning/studying with new P Coach Niebla... similar to Sunshine before he went on his rehab assigment in LE at the beginning of the season....

Quote from Henry Silvestre on June 23, 2022, 12:52 pm

And if we keep carrying 7 SP it's a 6 man pen...with Martinez/Gore/Clevinger and Snell likely to take a turn or 2 as long relievers/piggy back starters like Nick did yesterday

Quote from Jeremy Hill on June 23, 2022, 1:00 pm

It said that Pomeranz has started throwing bullpens in the paper a few days ago. Johnson and Suarez have started playing catch.