Forum
Forum Navigation
2023 offseason
#1921 · December 12, 2022, 11:55 am
Quote from fenn68 on December 12, 2022, 11:41 amAs for another bat (or two) ... and expecting Melvin wants to use the DH as a rotational slot to keep the big bats in the line-up but resting them from the field. So those adds need to have positional skills beyond 1B.
I would add the issue of having a very poor bench beyond the starting eight ... so the first add has to be versatile and with Tatis out for 20 games (with injury concerns) someone who can handle the OF. So, ideally a good hitter that can rotate through DH.
However, the bench behind that 9th hitter is lacking ... so a second versatile add that can cover multiple slots and not force the regulars to move around ... plus the regulars are geared to play everyday but injuries / rest will necessitate back-fill ... so someone who can handle riding the bench and keep sharp (sounds line a veteran player).
Siedler will need to pony up a lot more money to get that 5th SP ... that 9th starting bat ... that bench upgrade ... likely $25-30MM if really want quality out of the remaining FA. Hard to get that done and spend more to upgrade the other positions.
Our Bench as of today to start the season
LF Azocar
DH - Campy/Dixon
Bench
Campy C/1B/DH
Dixon COF/1B/3B/DH
*ROSARIO SS/2B/3B
Azocar CF/OF
Sullivan C/3B/1B
Batten Everywhere except C
* Would think Rosario would be the sent down guy with Tatis back 4/20/23.. as he would need reg at bats as the only "real" spec in the bench
So when adding a FA think of one of these guys adding Depth at AAA.. and strengthening our top 9 and bench
#1922 · December 12, 2022, 12:02 pm
I would think that at this time, we almost all agree that the starting 8 after April 20th, will be Soto, Grisham, Tatis, Machado, Bogaerts, Kim, Crone, and Nola. So that's 8 of the 13 we will be able to have. Currently our bench would sit with Campusano, Azocar, Batten, Rosario, and maybe Dixon. So yeah, our bench is not going to get it done. Now, we have not seen any Preller Specials when it comes to trades yet, but there has to be something on the move here at some time.
IF SD signs Vasquez, he improves the bench, by putting Nola there. I still like Berti and as bench piece/super utility.
If you look at FAs, Marwin Gonzalez fits the veteran aspect and he is a SH, but his bat has been declining a lot, so should not be an option. Cesar Hernandez could be a good option, he is a SH, played 2B, 3B, and OF in 2022, and SS in 2021, and is 33 so he should have the maturity to be that guy only used occasionally. Jonathon Villar could also be an option as well, same SH and position in the INF, not as good of a hitter as Hernandez.
So maybe between Profar or Hernandez? Profar is the better bat, Hernandez might have better speed/SB ability. Profar probably wants $10M+ and a starting position, where as I think Hernandez can be gotten for around $5M, and probably would settle for a utility spot on a winner.
Sign Vasquez, Hernandez, trade for Berti, and then our bench is Nola, Campusano, Hernandez, Berti, and Azocar. That should be sufficient back up.
#1923 · December 12, 2022, 12:07 pm
Quote from MrPadre19 on December 12, 2022, 11:50 amSomeone help me out with the Christian Vazquez rumors.
Does he really move the needle enough over Nola to make the move?
OPS+ Nola - 91; Vazquez - 99.
Vazquez has the better arm and pop time from what I understand as well, controlling the running game will be important this season. And I am not ready to make a WS run with relying on Campusano a lot, so Vazquez (with 2 WS championships, including one in BOS with X) probably goes a long ways.
#1924 · December 12, 2022, 12:18 pm
ATL has just traded for Murphy.
AJ, got get d'Arnaud now please. He would really improve our C position. OPS+ of 119 last season.
#1925 · December 12, 2022, 12:22 pm
Quote from BoosterSD on December 12, 2022, 12:18 pmATL has just traded for Murphy.
AJ, got get d'Arnaud now please. He would really improve our C position. OPS+ of 119 last season.
I wonder if one of Contreras/D'Arnaud were included in the deal?
If not...I'd rather have one of them than Vazquez.
#1926 · December 12, 2022, 12:22 pm
Quote from BoosterSD on December 12, 2022, 12:18 pmATL has just traded for Murphy.
AJ, got get d'Arnaud now please. He would really improve our C position. OPS+ of 119 last season.
Yeah sources telling me Brewers are involved too...3 way?... cant wait to see Braves part of this deal
#1927 · December 12, 2022, 12:25 pm
Quote from BoosterSD on December 12, 2022, 12:07 pmQuote from MrPadre19 on December 12, 2022, 11:50 amSomeone help me out with the Christian Vazquez rumors.
Does he really move the needle enough over Nola to make the move?
OPS+ Nola - 91; Vazquez - 99.
Vazquez has the better arm and pop time from what I understand as well, controlling the running game will be important this season. And I am not ready to make a WS run with relying on Campusano a lot, so Vazquez (with 2 WS championships, including one in BOS with X) probably goes a long ways.
I get that Vazquez is better...but depending on the cost....is he better "enough"?
I'm guessing if AJ really is on Vazquez he must have an idea of what he's gonna do with either Nola or Campy.
Campy in AAA is a waste...trade value likely to drop more unless he just dominates.
It's time to play him or trade him if we add another Catcher he needs to be traded.
#1928 · December 12, 2022, 12:26 pm
Gallo is another Boras client and when your nickname is Pico de Gallo, he's a lock for San Diego! Just kidding, but if we can just get that average to .215 he still hits the ball with excellent velocity and very hard around 50% of the time. Problem is he is one of the 3 certain outcomes - HR, K, or BB - a majority of the time. If he wants a contract over 6M, then move on.
#1929 · December 12, 2022, 12:30 pm
Quote from MrPadre19 on December 12, 2022, 11:50 amSomeone help me out with the Christian Vazquez rumors.
Does he really move the needle enough over Nola to make the move?
2022 WAR:
Nola-2.0
Vazquez-2.1
Do we keep them both and trade Campy and would Vazquez be OK with part time play?
If we replace Nola with Vazquez....did we get much better?
With the SP need and the DH need....why we looking at Vazquez?
Was not high on my priority list BUT can come up with some logic:
- Melvin likes plus defensive catchers and Vazquez is significantly better than Nola ... and the unknown surrounding Campusano.
- Neither Nola nor Vazquez will start every game ... more likely a 60/40 split ... so a combo of keeping a quality catcher in every game and pure insurance for injury to Nola
- Campusano has a lot to prove but his calling card is his bat ... so does he migrate to DH / 3rd string catcher and is the back-up if one of Vazquez / Nola get injured as he further develops for the future.
- Maybe set-up a trade of either Nola or Campusano for a player to fill another slot at a lower cost than what the FA are demanding.
Could be the better cost / benefit over what the other FA are costing for what they deliver. Could be they are not ready to give Campusano the reins behind the plate on a playoff run if Nola goes down.
Since quality catchers are hard to get ... trading for them will cost very limited trade asset that could be used elsewhere ... might actually be strategically sound move. Probably easier to find filler OF/1B/DH ... at least a lot more options for an offense that is already pretty strong.
One disadvantage for us is having no idea of what other FA are demanding in a contract, their other options, the advantage they see with other teams in terms of playing time, and importantly what the Padres really think of them and how they might fit into the Padres' view of the team construction.
In this case, what do the Padres REALLY think of Campusano as potentially the #1 catcher for the season (with Sullivan as the back-up) if Nola goes down in April. That may be a lot worse that the back-fill options with other positions.
#1930 · December 12, 2022, 12:31 pm
Quote from MrPadre19 on December 12, 2022, 12:25 pm
I get that Vazquez is better...but depending on the cost....is he better "enough"?
I'm guessing if AJ really is on Vazquez he must have an idea of what he's gonna do with either Nola or Campy.
Campy in AAA is a waste...trade value likely to drop more unless he just dominates.
It's time to play him or trade him if we add another Catcher he needs to be traded.
Would probably have some additional moves coming along with a signing of Vazquez, probably Nola. ML proven, but getting older, could be a good fit for a team like PIT that is looking to improve their C situation, could net SD a prospect or two that could add to the farm. Could risk going into the season with Vazquez and Campusano.
Or with the age of Vazquez, the injury history of Nola, and the unproven nature of Campusano, do we go with all 3, and they split C and DH duties to keep all 3 for the start of the season, and see how things progress towards the trade deadline?