Quote from MrPadre19 on December 19, 2022, 7:37 am

I still think our biggest need is a #4 Starter.

We have added offense in Tatis/Bogaerts and a full season of Soto from last years team that was good offensively already.

So I expect the offense to be improved.

I also expect the BP to be improved with Hader for a full season...Suarez with a year under his belt and "maybe" a healthy Pomeranz.

Where we haven't improved is the rotation and after losing "just" Clevinger and Manaea it shouldn't be hard to improve upon.

We missed,or didn't sign,a free agent Starter (or two) but that doesn't mean we can't still acquire a guy via trade.

This is my hope...

We need a better option than Martinez for #4....maybe he's on the roster(Groome/Teheran/Avila/Weathers/Morejon),but maybe we regret not adding there if we don't.

I don't want to count on the trade deadline to add a TOR starter either...too many intangibles.

 

Quote from Henry Silvestre on December 19, 2022, 7:57 am

Quote from MrPadre19 on December 19, 2022, 7:37 am

I still think our biggest need is a #4 Starter.

We have added offense in Tatis/Bogaerts and a full season of Soto from last years team that was good offensively already.

So I expect the offense to be improved.

I also expect the BP to be improved with Hader for a full season...Suarez with a year under his belt and "maybe" a healthy Pomeranz.

Where we haven't improved is the rotation and after losing "just" Clevinger and Manaea it shouldn't be hard to improve upon.

We missed,or didn't sign,a free agent Starter (or two) but that doesn't mean we can't still acquire a guy via trade.

This is my hope...

We need a better option than Martinez for #4....maybe he's on the roster(Groome/Teheran/Avila/Weathers/Morejon),but maybe we regret not adding there if we don't.

I don't want to count on the trade deadline to add a TOR starter either...too many intangibles.

 

I agree on needing +1 SP... we have 300 IP of 4.50 ball to cover (Gore/Clev/Manea) even with Nick going +80 to 100 SP innings  (as SP vs 2022 10starts)..makes it 220 Innings to cover.. and while I think we can easily do that with (Teheran/Groome/Avila/Khner/Wethers/Poppen and Company) I am more worried about a minor or major injury to one of our top 3 guys... thus enter the need for a better than 4.50 ERA starter.. someone that can give us QS at a 60+% rate..someone like Kubler

** then if need be we address Depth or a replacement TOR of there is an issue with 1 of the 3 or more....at the Deadline

On the trade front... more I think about it a trade for one of the Marlin SP makes a ton of sense for 23 and beyond

Quote from fenn68 on December 19, 2022, 8:01 am

I think the Schrock signing to a minor league deal is sneaky good … only 28 and a lot of control at what would be league minimum if he makes the 26 man … with a “decent” bat, LHH,  and ML experience. Versatile, but mainly a 2B … gives some flexibility to get sometime at 2B against a strong RHP (Kim problem), allows Kim to SS if Bogaerts is rested or injured while not having to also move either Cronenworth or Tatis.

Will be a major upgrade over Batten and Rosario as INF bench options in 2023.

With the minor league signs of Schrock and Dahl (both LHH) with ML experience … both right now look good to be added to the 26 man roster and both would be low cost decent bench upgrades (no illusion they will be starters).

IF Preller really believes in these two as quality bench options … maybe only one add as a “better” bat for the 9th starting slot.

OF bench: Azocar (R) / Dahl (L) … INF bench: Schrock (L) … back-up Catcher Campusano (R). So some flexibility on the last position player add and with Dahl and Schrock being low cost adds … maybe a bit more money available for that last bat.

Quote from fenn68 on December 19, 2022, 8:16 am

Listened to a discussion on Lugo’s market … apparently a lot of teams still in on him. He clearly want to be tested as a SP … and teams are willing to give him that role initially.

Apparently the “analytical” teams just love his spin rate (in the top 99% in the league).

Contract is unclear. Some back and forth on a multi-year guarantee (but an AAV closer to a very good RP) vs a one year deal allowing him to prove he is a quality SP and go for the big contract as a FA after 2023. He is at that age when proving he is a starter and shoot for the big deal is now.

My guess is some team will have to provide a clear and unobstructed path to starting for the full year along with the appropriate money (whatever that cost is being push up to by the multiple bidders).

Padres could remain in play … depending on the other bidders … but from the outside the Padres have four SP locked in so how does he view battling for the one last slot (maybe two if 6 SP) … can sell a top pitching coach / manager for help him in the transition to SP … can sell a gold glove INF across board and a powerhouse offense to help him remain in games longer (and rack up better stats). Padres do like spin rate (see Musgrove) so how high would they bid and for how long? Keeping in mind if SP does not work out … still a quality RP.

Quote from Henry Silvestre on December 19, 2022, 8:23 am

Quote from fenn68 on December 19, 2022, 8:01 am

I think the Schrock signing to a minor league deal is sneaky good … only 28 and a lot of control at what would be league minimum if he makes the 26 man … with a “decent” bat, LHH,  and ML experience. Versatile, but mainly a 2B … gives some flexibility to get sometime at 2B against a strong RHP (Kim problem), allows Kim to SS if Bogaerts is rested or injured while not having to also move either Cronenworth or Tatis.

Will be a major upgrade over Batten and Rosario as INF bench options in 2023.

With the minor league signs of Schrock and Dahl (both LHH) with ML experience … both right now look good to be added to the 26 man roster and both would be low cost decent bench upgrades (no illusion they will be starters).

IF Preller really believes in these two as quality bench options … maybe only one add as a “better” bat for the 9th starting slot.

OF bench: Azocar (R) / Dahl (L) … INF bench: Schrock (L) … back-up Catcher Campusano (R). So some flexibility on the last position player add and with Dahl and Schrock being low cost adds … maybe a bit more money available for that last bat.

Preston Tucker says Bro! DAHL over me Really? I am fkng Kyle Turners older brother..come on now give me a chance.... lol

Quote from fenn68 on December 19, 2022, 8:26 am

Sign Myers (1B/OF) OR Barnhart (C) … sign Lugo (SP opportunity) … Lugo - Martinez - Morejon fill #4-6 SP slots in the first half of the season with Teheran in AAA as the backfill (or to the pen as long relief) … call it quits on ML adds.

Dangle some “excess” RP that cannot be optioned to add some AAA/AA prospect insurance.

Quote from Henry Silvestre on December 19, 2022, 8:35 am

Taking a closer look at these under the radar signings

All PA's as MLB players

Tucker 651 PA .684 OPS

Dixon 572 PA .676 OPS

*Dahl 1240 PA .788 OPS

Schrok 178 PA .685 OPS

Azocar 216 PA .629 OPS.. value comes as very good defender with elite speed

* Dahl last 2 seasons at MLB were horrendous (injuries led to mid .500 and mid .400 OPS) if he can bounce back even to .700 OPS he could prove very valuable

Quote from fenn68 on December 19, 2022, 8:38 am

Quote from Henry Silvestre on December 19, 2022, 8:23 am

Quote from fenn68 on December 19, 2022, 8:01 am

I think the Schrock signing to a minor league deal is sneaky good … only 28 and a lot of control at what would be league minimum if he makes the 26 man … with a “decent” bat, LHH,  and ML experience. Versatile, but mainly a 2B … gives some flexibility to get sometime at 2B against a strong RHP (Kim problem), allows Kim to SS if Bogaerts is rested or injured while not having to also move either Cronenworth or Tatis.

Will be a major upgrade over Batten and Rosario as INF bench options in 2023.

With the minor league signs of Schrock and Dahl (both LHH) with ML experience … both right now look good to be added to the 26 man roster and both would be low cost decent bench upgrades (no illusion they will be starters).

IF Preller really believes in these two as quality bench options … maybe only one add as a “better” bat for the 9th starting slot.

OF bench: Azocar (R) / Dahl (L) … INF bench: Schrock (L) … back-up Catcher Campusano (R). So some flexibility on the last position player add and with Dahl and Schrock being low cost adds … maybe a bit more money available for that last bat.

Preston Tucker says Bro! DAHL over me Really? I am fkng Kyle Turners older brother..come on now give me a chance.... lol

He does have a shot if Dahl continues to struggle to hit … not been impressive recently. Tucker has been tucked away in the KBO … one really impressive season but was not impressive in the ML. Dahl is younger and a better fielder.

Might just boil down to who is healthy and looks better in ST … not expecting too much from either. It is the bench so ???????

Quote from Henry Silvestre on December 19, 2022, 8:47 am

Quote from Henry Silvestre on December 19, 2022, 8:35 am

Taking a closer look at these under the radar signings

All PA's as MLB players

Tucker 651 PA .684 OPS

Dixon 572 PA .676 OPS

*Dahl 1240 PA .788 OPS

Schrok 178 PA .685 OPS

Azocar 216 PA .629 OPS.. value comes as very good defender with elite speed

* Dahl last 2 seasons at MLB were horrendous (injuries led to mid .500 and mid .400 OPS) if he can bounce back even to .700 OPS he could prove very valuable

Putting these OPS numbers into perspective the 111 Win LAD had (2022 OPS #'s)

Chris Taylor .677

Bellinger .654

Alberto .623

Miguel Vargas .455

Joey Gallo .671

All play big roles for them in 2022 (2 were starters more often than not (Bellinger and Taylor)

And our very own Sergio Alcantara .624 (includes AZ where he excelled after his return otherwise a lot worse as a Padre)

 

So maybe these guys alone = major upgrades over 2022 bench and 23 projected bench (before their adds)... sometimes we look at a glass 1/2 empty when maybe (as the numbers indicate) its 1/2 full...