Quote from BoosterSD on January 5, 2023, 3:09 pm

Quote from sportwarrior on January 5, 2023, 2:39 pm

I'm more worried about Tatis' maturity. He's going to be spending a lot more time on his heels in the OF than he did in the INF, which could lead to lapses in concentration. And, if Xander doesn't immediately avail himself at SS, I'd worry about Tatis thinking he should be there instead.

Yes, this will be the biggest factor moving forward. Hopefully he embraces the opportunity this team has and his ability to substantially contribute to the teams success in the OF. And looks at this chance to show his maturity, health, and then after this season, can start working his way back to SS, based on what happens with Kim, Machado, and Bogaerts.

Or maybe, and might be best for the team, finds out that he loves playing RF, and that position is now taken care of for the next 13 years.

I fully believe that IF he embraces this chance, he could become an excellent RF, with BA, power, speed, and a great arm. Maybe one of the best of all time.

Quote from BoosterSD on January 5, 2023, 3:13 pm

Quote from sportwarrior on January 5, 2023, 3:05 pm

Also, someone mentioned Azocar a few pages back, and I'm a big fan of his as a bench OF. Zero power, but that's not what we need out of him. He's got great contact skills, a nice eye, solid defense, and speed that has the potential of playing up on the basepaths.

It would be nice if he could develop into a lead off hitter, some one that can get on at a .380 clip and then steal a base or two. Maybe we will see MLB appreciate these type pf bats again, and not everyone will think every hitter has to hit 20+ HRs to be considered a success.

Quote from MrPadre19 on January 5, 2023, 3:27 pm

What do we make of the fact that Profar not only hasn’t signed but there haven’t even been any rumors about anyone interested that I’ve found.

Do we assume the Padres have made him an offer and he’s waiting for better offers?

Is no one interested at what he’s asking?

He has to be one of the best all around players still available in free agency right?

 

Quote from fenn68 on January 5, 2023, 3:43 pm

At this point, worrying about Bogaerts as SS is a bit premature. No way to “know” if his 2022 defense is closer to reality than his 2021.

The defensive difference between Bogaerts and Kim in 2022 was not all that much … both were in the top 10 SS in URZ/150 (Kim 3rd / Bogaerts 7th) … Kim had the advantage in DRS +10 Kim (6th) to +5 (11th) but note both are near the upper echelon of SS. Somehow Bogaerts ended up with the better dWAR ranking 8th to Kim’s 10th.

Could he regress A LOT … sure … but actually see him in action first and maybe honor an unwritten commitment is in order. Have to see a bit how … without the shift … the Padres position the four INF to cover the ground needed.

IF Bogaerts regresses to 2021 … always can change at that point IF that is really a problem.

Quote from fenn68 on January 5, 2023, 3:51 pm

Quote from MrPadre19 on January 5, 2023, 3:27 pm

What do we make of the fact that Profar not only hasn’t signed but there haven’t even been any rumors about anyone interested that I’ve found.

Do we assume the Padres have made him an offer and he’s waiting for better offers?

Is no one interested at what he’s asking?

He has to be one of the best all around players still available in free agency right?

 

Guessing at this point it is Boras not being willing to settle on the current offers … expect that he believes he still can work a contract that is better than the offers in hand and not worse. Maybe trying to find the best fit for playing time on a one year deal … with incentives … to set up a re-run at FA next winter.

 

Quote from BoosterSD on January 5, 2023, 3:55 pm

Quote from MrPadre19 on January 5, 2023, 3:27 pm

What do we make of the fact that Profar not only hasn’t signed but there haven’t even been any rumors about anyone interested that I’ve found.

Probably the same issue I have with him, he is a middle INF bat playing a COF position. He really isnt an everyday player in LF, due to that being a power position, and he doesnt have much power, but can no longer play 2B due to fielding issues. So he is really a super sub, with a decent bat, and a great team guy.

I think Boras may have over played his hand on Profar, being that really nice tweener guy. Not really good enough for an everyday player, but a really great bench, team guy. Hard to get that guy into the $9-11M range.

Quote from JasonE135 on January 5, 2023, 4:06 pm

Quote from sportwarrior on January 5, 2023, 2:39 pm

Xander actually had a solid defensive season last year, so there's hope that's the beginning of a trend rather than an abberation.

That said, we "hoped" the same for Hosmer's bat following his walk year in KC. Sooooo we should take last season with many grains of salt.

On balance, though, I'm not extremely worried. I prefer to wait and see. Xander's leadership is going to be a big positive on and off the field (assuming he doesn't clash with anyone) and Kim, while being displaced, will have the distinct honor of being one of the strongest-armed 2B in the league.

I'm more worried about Tatis' maturity. He's going to be spending a lot more time on his heels in the OF than he did in the INF, which could lead to lapses in concentration. And, if Xander doesn't immediately avail himself at SS, I'd worry about Tatis thinking he should be there instead.

I think that Xander will play SS for as long as he can do so passably, but I don't see Kim staying at 2B is Xander is a butcher. I'm sure we didn't sign a suicide pact with Xander. Bogaerts will get the first chance to start at SS for this team, but keeping it will be up to him.

As far as Tatis is concerned, I think his immaturity may actually help us this time. Tatis is obviously used to and loves being "the man". He stormed into the major leagues, put up crazy numbers and was instantly the best player on the Padres and one of the best in MLB. If he wants to be "the man" on a team with Soto, Machado and Bogaerts, he is going to have to earn it. His offense will need to be at least as good as it was and his defense will need to be much better. I think his pride will drive him to do so. At least I hope.

Quote from 3fingersplit on January 5, 2023, 4:25 pm

The one thing that keeps going through my head is the remaining FA market is now becoming a game of musical chairs and the people left are hoping to find a chair when the music stops….some overplayed their hands eg; Profar

he opted out of a fair contract that paid him good money and may end up with a new deal at half of what he walked away from. Drury had to beg the Reds for a 900k deal last year just to play and Profar may be left without a chair

A player that could work for the padres at a fair price and one last chance at a ring would be Andrew McCutchen…still fast, corner OF, DH/1B and a class act all around …might be worth kicking the tires on with not much down side and a better get than Robinson Cano or Ian Kinsler from the last couple of years.

only so many chairs left and the music is almost ready to stop

Quote from fenn68 on January 5, 2023, 4:49 pm

We know Preller never sleeps but he is getting into that period where a lot of lower profile work will be eating his time … primarily given is history of signing the arbitration eligible players before going to the arbitrator. Numbers are exchanged on the 13th … would prefer to reach accord before that but still can negotiate up to the hearing.

Preller has a few “high profile” cases with Soto, Hader, Cronenworth and a few others. We have been tossing around MLBTR “estimates” of the arb decision but that is not certain .. and given the Padres’ proximity to the next penalty CBT level … Preller may want to have a firmer number on these guys before he commits to any FA.

Also, he may be trying to get multi-year deals rather just the one year arb.

While that is going on he may have to keep alert to the FA signing elsewhere if he does not pull the string soon. Then there still is the trade issues.

A lot going on.