Quote from fenn68 on October 12, 2022, 11:23 am

Appears to me ... if he has his choice ... Melvin likes defense be it in CF (Grisham) or at 1B (Myers). With Myers, Drury, and Bell gone in 2023 ... can't really find a LHH 1B with defense at an affordable price (FA or trade). Rizzo fits the bill but not sure he wants to return and probably still at an unaffordable price. At 33 and earning $16MM coming off a good season ... he will be pushing for that salary and maybe more contentions a multi-year deal.

May have to go with a RHH (defense plus) 1B and the bat they sign is a LHH ... maybe OF who could also DH and allow Tatis to do some INF if needed (don't like that but clearly that is what Melvin implied before the suspension). Alternatively (don't like this either) ... sign an INF bat (middle INF) and shift Cronenworth to 1B. Alternatively - alternatively (don't think anyone like this) re-sign Profar and drop him into 1B or keep him in LF and put Tatis at SS and shift Kim to 2B and Cronenworth to 1B.

Much has to do with who is available and can the Padres acquire them ... that leads to being flexible on the configuration. As of now would not rule out:

OF: Profar (#) - Grisham (L) - Soto (L)

INF: Machado - Tatis - Kim - Cronenworth (L)

C: Nola

+ 1 bat that will change that baseline since there is some versatility in the field and a DH is available to rotate players in / out of the field/DH. Easily Cronenworth, Profar, and Nola can play 1B if needed ... getting the best bat regardless of position seems fine (and maybe a hitter who also has some versatility.

Quote from Henry Silvestre on October 12, 2022, 12:43 pm

Quote from fenn68 on October 12, 2022, 11:23 am

Appears to me ... if he has his choice ... Melvin likes defense be it in CF (Grisham) or at 1B (Myers). With Myers, Drury, and Bell gone in 2023 ... can't really find a LHH 1B with defense at an affordable price (FA or trade). Rizzo fits the bill but not sure he wants to return and probably still at an unaffordable price. At 33 and earning $16MM coming off a good season ... he will be pushing for that salary and maybe more contentions a multi-year deal.

May have to go with a RHH (defense plus) 1B and the bat they sign is a LHH ... maybe OF who could also DH and allow Tatis to do some INF if needed (don't like that but clearly that is what Melvin implied before the suspension). Alternatively (don't like this either) ... sign an INF bat (middle INF) and shift Cronenworth to 1B. Alternatively - alternatively (don't think anyone like this) re-sign Profar and drop him into 1B or keep him in LF and put Tatis at SS and shift Kim to 2B and Cronenworth to 1B.

Much has to do with who is available and can the Padres acquire them ... that leads to being flexible on the configuration. As of now would not rule out:

OF: Profar (#) - Grisham (L) - Soto (L)

INF: Machado - Tatis - Kim - Cronenworth (L)

C: Nola

+ 1 bat that will change that baseline since there is some versatility in the field and a DH is available to rotate players in / out of the field/DH. Easily Cronenworth, Profar, and Nola can play 1B if needed ... getting the best bat regardless of position seems fine (and maybe a hitter who also has some versatility.

JOC ..calling JOC

242 .343 .497 .840 career vs RHP

2x WS and 2x AS

Has 1B (21 games) experience but mostly LF/CF/RF and 14 G as DH (all in 2022)

Wil/Joc could be an interesting Platoon at 1B/DH... or if Crone/Wil platoon 1B ..Kim/Crone 2B.. and Kim/Tatis SS... Tatis LF/CF/SS/DH

Quote from WindsorUK on October 12, 2022, 2:38 pm

The money they save from not bringing back Hader, Clevinger, Manea, should be enough to bring in a bat, whether it be 1B or LF.

Quote from WindsorUK on October 12, 2022, 2:42 pm

Quote from Henry Silvestre on October 12, 2022, 12:43 pm

Quote from fenn68 on October 12, 2022, 11:23 am

Appears to me ... if he has his choice ... Melvin likes defense be it in CF (Grisham) or at 1B (Myers). With Myers, Drury, and Bell gone in 2023 ... can't really find a LHH 1B with defense at an affordable price (FA or trade). Rizzo fits the bill but not sure he wants to return and probably still at an unaffordable price. At 33 and earning $16MM coming off a good season ... he will be pushing for that salary and maybe more contentions a multi-year deal.

May have to go with a RHH (defense plus) 1B and the bat they sign is a LHH ... maybe OF who could also DH and allow Tatis to do some INF if needed (don't like that but clearly that is what Melvin implied before the suspension). Alternatively (don't like this either) ... sign an INF bat (middle INF) and shift Cronenworth to 1B. Alternatively - alternatively (don't think anyone like this) re-sign Profar and drop him into 1B or keep him in LF and put Tatis at SS and shift Kim to 2B and Cronenworth to 1B.

Much has to do with who is available and can the Padres acquire them ... that leads to being flexible on the configuration. As of now would not rule out:

OF: Profar (#) - Grisham (L) - Soto (L)

INF: Machado - Tatis - Kim - Cronenworth (L)

C: Nola

+ 1 bat that will change that baseline since there is some versatility in the field and a DH is available to rotate players in / out of the field/DH. Easily Cronenworth, Profar, and Nola can play 1B if needed ... getting the best bat regardless of position seems fine (and maybe a hitter who also has some versatility.

JOC ..calling JOC

242 .343 .497 .840 career vs RHP

2x WS and 2x AS

Has 1B (21 games) experience but mostly LF/CF/RF and 14 G as DH (all in 2022)

Wil/Joc could be an interesting Platoon at 1B/DH... or if Crone/Wil platoon 1B ..Kim/Crone 2B.. and Kim/Tatis SS... Tatis LF/CF/SS/DH

Gotta stop assuming players can play just anywhere. Pederson has all of 21 games at 1B in MLB.

Cronenworth, and certainly Myers, are much better options.

As a DH, or corner OF, sure. But not 1B. Much better options available.

Quote from BoosterSD on October 12, 2022, 2:58 pm

Quote from WindsorUK on October 12, 2022, 2:42 pm

Quote from Henry Silvestre on October 12, 2022, 12:43 pm

Quote from fenn68 on October 12, 2022, 11:23 am

Appears to me ... if he has his choice ... Melvin likes defense be it in CF (Grisham) or at 1B (Myers). With Myers, Drury, and Bell gone in 2023 ... can't really find a LHH 1B with defense at an affordable price (FA or trade). Rizzo fits the bill but not sure he wants to return and probably still at an unaffordable price. At 33 and earning $16MM coming off a good season ... he will be pushing for that salary and maybe more contentions a multi-year deal.

May have to go with a RHH (defense plus) 1B and the bat they sign is a LHH ... maybe OF who could also DH and allow Tatis to do some INF if needed (don't like that but clearly that is what Melvin implied before the suspension). Alternatively (don't like this either) ... sign an INF bat (middle INF) and shift Cronenworth to 1B. Alternatively - alternatively (don't think anyone like this) re-sign Profar and drop him into 1B or keep him in LF and put Tatis at SS and shift Kim to 2B and Cronenworth to 1B.

Much has to do with who is available and can the Padres acquire them ... that leads to being flexible on the configuration. As of now would not rule out:

OF: Profar (#) - Grisham (L) - Soto (L)

INF: Machado - Tatis - Kim - Cronenworth (L)

C: Nola

+ 1 bat that will change that baseline since there is some versatility in the field and a DH is available to rotate players in / out of the field/DH. Easily Cronenworth, Profar, and Nola can play 1B if needed ... getting the best bat regardless of position seems fine (and maybe a hitter who also has some versatility.

JOC ..calling JOC

242 .343 .497 .840 career vs RHP

2x WS and 2x AS

Has 1B (21 games) experience but mostly LF/CF/RF and 14 G as DH (all in 2022)

Wil/Joc could be an interesting Platoon at 1B/DH... or if Crone/Wil platoon 1B ..Kim/Crone 2B.. and Kim/Tatis SS... Tatis LF/CF/SS/DH

Gotta stop assuming players can play just anywhere. Pederson has all of 21 games at 1B in MLB.

Cronenworth, and certainly Myers, are much better options.

As a DH, or corner OF, sure. But not 1B. Much better options available.

Thank you, this is not a beer league softball team. MLB players are creatures of habit, they like stability. Versatility is fine, for a back up. I still think this is the biggest problem we had with Myers, moving him all around the field. Get the right player for the right position, and leave them alone.

 

Quote from fenn68 on October 12, 2022, 3:12 pm

Quote from WindsorUK on October 12, 2022, 2:38 pm

The money they save from not bringing back Hader, Clevinger, Manea, should be enough to bring in a bat, whether it be 1B or LF.

Hader is returning and getting a raise and will be paid for a full season. He will cost payroll space ... not open it.

Looks as though the Padres have made adjustments with him ... he is a top closer that a contender needs, again.

As I calculated before ... if the three opt out do not ... with the arb decisions as suggested by MLBTR and the existing contracts ... the 40 man roster will be about $1+/- under the threshold.

Any money to cover another SP or / and additional bat will come from going over the threshold and paying the penalty.

Quote from fenn68 on October 12, 2022, 3:31 pm

I agree that putting veterans "out of position" is not a good option ... worse if it is a juggling process game by game during the season. There are some players (usually part time types) who have been groomed for that role ... but that is the exception but a need to fill in the blanks during the season.

With Myers ... early in his career should have settled on one spot and let him focus on developing his bat. He showed defensive skills in LF and 1B but when the put him at 3B ... just a bad move.

Where the Padres are is they need a 1B ... but more importantly a decent hitter somewhere in the line-up while deploying a 1B that is decent defensively. We saw the both Cronenworth and Profar play defensively well at 1B and their bats will be in the line-up anyway. With that the Padres should search the best bat (with decent defense) at an affordable price at a non-1B position if needed ... make the changes to cover 1B with whomever and then set the defense and not juggle. However, if there is a player from a different position that the Padres see as a competent 1B (e.g. a 3B or an oversized 2B) that might work.

Basically don't want them to pay premium for a second rate 1B (taking money from a SP add) or worse a DH only type who clogs up the use of the DH role and has no defensive value.

Need to be flexible to alternate approaches in the winter / ST ... but once the season starts just lock in.

Quote from fenn68 on October 12, 2022, 3:50 pm

I still think their #1 priority is a SP and that is where they should focus the money and create a four deep rotation that can be counted on. I am talking a legit mid to upper rotation arm. Take the gambles on the 5th/6th option with Groome, Martinez (if back) or a low cost FA.

The added bat is the next tier down ... lower cost for serviceable. A core of Tatis - Soto - Machado - Cronenworth is already strong and followed by Profar (if back), Kim, and Nola is a decent 7 deep offense. Grisham is a bit of a wild card. So that 9th bat is important but not critical.

I admit to having a problem of balancing the priority of needs with being logical about payroll and the lack of depth in FA options along with few trade chips. Preller will have a challenge working through this.

Quote from fenn68 on October 13, 2022, 4:05 pm

Brandon Nimmo’s name has popped up a few times as a FA target … LHH CF with a plus offensive profile. Write him off after comments by his agent Scott Boras … the opening line is that he is a top of the line CF/lead-off hitter and only 30. Expect a deal longer and larger than Marte ($78MM/4 years). With a huge void in the MLB of quality CF who can hit … Boras will get him maybe a $140MM/year ($20MM AAV).

I guess in isolation that seems in the ballpark BUT for the Padres that would drain a ton of money that would be better served for SP and focus on a lower cost option to fill a position player role. SD can cover adequately CF with Tatis, Grisham, and Azocar.