Quote from Henry Silvestre on January 20, 2023, 10:37 am

https://twitter.com/doyalikedagss/status/1616499940615917568?t=H5ANIvEa67PdjbcfpPLDEA&s=19

Nelson Cruz looks in tip tip shape..maybe a WBC Player/Manager last hurrah and a run at one last WS with Padres gave him a little extra motivation.. he looks 20 lbs lighter at naked eye..

Quote from Henry Silvestre on January 20, 2023, 10:45 am

Quote from fenn68 on January 20, 2023, 10:03 am

Maybe higher on he worry wall should be deploying that IF statement to Nola. Catcher is key to managing the pitching staff during the game and IF Nola goes down for the season in April ... that problem becomes a major issue for the pitching staff. Consider:

1. Campusano's weakness is calling games / handling the pitching staff / maintaining concentration ... tie that with virtually no ML experience ...
2. Severino most likely would be added but need to worry about a veteran catcher who was on the FA market with a lot of teams needing catching upgrades ... yet he has to sign a minor league deal with the Padres
3. Sullivan a 29 year old who has never broken into the ML and not considered a defensive option.

Not an issue with offense on this team but defense / handling the pitching staff is a major issue and could hurt  every pitcher on the staff. Musgrove could probably overcome but the more routine "sensitive" Darvish / Snell might not and the arms trying to fill out the staff need as much help as possible.

Just something to keep us all worried.

I've been saying this even before last yrs deadline.  Catching is our single most upgradeable position...

I think Salas would be a better game caller than Campy right now to be honest.

But yeah a season of Campy/Severino/Sullivan C could spell trouble.. then again Severino screams as a guy that could come in an replace or even improve on Nola ..

Lets just hope we don't need to find out

Quote from WindsorUK on January 20, 2023, 11:08 am

Really hoping Carpenter and Cruz outperform Hosmer and Voit- shouldn't be tough.

Our O is going to be SICK! Those 2 guys, a full season of Soto ( who hopefully lives up to his Ted Williams comparison), FTJ, AND Bogaerts! Manny is going to be more relaxed, knowing he doesn't have to carry the team.....this is going to be a juggernaut!

Just hope we get the pitching.

Quote from fenn68 on January 20, 2023, 11:08 am

Quote from Henry Silvestre on January 20, 2023, 10:45 am

Quote from fenn68 on January 20, 2023, 10:03 am

Maybe higher on he worry wall should be deploying that IF statement to Nola. Catcher is key to managing the pitching staff during the game and IF Nola goes down for the season in April ... that problem becomes a major issue for the pitching staff. Consider:

1. Campusano's weakness is calling games / handling the pitching staff / maintaining concentration ... tie that with virtually no ML experience ...
2. Severino most likely would be added but need to worry about a veteran catcher who was on the FA market with a lot of teams needing catching upgrades ... yet he has to sign a minor league deal with the Padres
3. Sullivan a 29 year old who has never broken into the ML and not considered a defensive option.

Not an issue with offense on this team but defense / handling the pitching staff is a major issue and could hurt  every pitcher on the staff. Musgrove could probably overcome but the more routine "sensitive" Darvish / Snell might not and the arms trying to fill out the staff need as much help as possible.

Just something to keep us all worried.

I've been saying this even before last yrs deadline.  Catching is our single most upgradeable position...

I think Salas would be a better game caller than Campy right now to be honest.

But yeah a season of Campy/Severino/Sullivan C could spell trouble.. then again Severino screams as a guy that could come in an replace or even improve on Nola ..

Lets just hope we don't need to find out

The fact that Severino could only land a minor league deal suggests that 30 teams are not that optimistic about Severino being a #1 (or #2) ML catcher ... even on a none contender.

Now if defense is the priority and Austin Hedges' type offense is OK given the rest of the offensive line-up ... and this is somewhat a delusional thought ... but what about Chandler Seagle ... considered an elite defensive catcher, 26, played in AA ... CANNOT HIT but maybe could squeeze out a .150 BA. NOT REALISTIC but could Preller take that approach and scour  FA, AAA, ML benches for a defensive first C with no long term value and get that guy for in a minor trade when (if) that Nola injury happens. However, getting a new catcher mid-season even if a plus defensive option is not ideal given ramp up time to sync with the pitchers.

 

Quote from Henry Silvestre on January 20, 2023, 11:23 am

Quote from fenn68 on January 20, 2023, 11:08 am

Quote from Henry Silvestre on January 20, 2023, 10:45 am

Quote from fenn68 on January 20, 2023, 10:03 am

Maybe higher on he worry wall should be deploying that IF statement to Nola. Catcher is key to managing the pitching staff during the game and IF Nola goes down for the season in April ... that problem becomes a major issue for the pitching staff. Consider:

1. Campusano's weakness is calling games / handling the pitching staff / maintaining concentration ... tie that with virtually no ML experience ...
2. Severino most likely would be added but need to worry about a veteran catcher who was on the FA market with a lot of teams needing catching upgrades ... yet he has to sign a minor league deal with the Padres
3. Sullivan a 29 year old who has never broken into the ML and not considered a defensive option.

Not an issue with offense on this team but defense / handling the pitching staff is a major issue and could hurt  every pitcher on the staff. Musgrove could probably overcome but the more routine "sensitive" Darvish / Snell might not and the arms trying to fill out the staff need as much help as possible.

Just something to keep us all worried.

I've been saying this even before last yrs deadline.  Catching is our single most upgradeable position...

I think Salas would be a better game caller than Campy right now to be honest.

But yeah a season of Campy/Severino/Sullivan C could spell trouble.. then again Severino screams as a guy that could come in an replace or even improve on Nola ..

Lets just hope we don't need to find out

The fact that Severino could only land a minor league deal suggests that 30 teams are not that optimistic about Severino being a #1 (or #2) ML catcher ... even on a none contender.

Now if defense is the priority and Austin Hedges' type offense is OK given the rest of the offensive line-up ... and this is somewhat a delusional thought ... but what about Chandler Seagle ... considered an elite defensive catcher, 26, played in AA ... CANNOT HIT but maybe could squeeze out a .150 BA. NOT REALISTIC but could Preller take that approach and scour  FA, AAA, ML benches for a defensive first C with no long term value and get that guy for in a minor trade when (if) that Nola injury happens. However, getting a new catcher mid-season even if a plus defensive option is not ideal given ramp up time to sync with the pitchers.

 

Yeah Seagler.. /Fernandez /Cantu would probably be the next in house options to Nola/Campy/Severino... btw Severino got the same deal Alfaro got from Red Sox .. so figure both are in the same class of C.. Alfaro at one point was C #1b in 2022 .. before wear and tear and injury derailed him..  Severino is better overall at actually Catching vs Alfaro.. Alfaro is the > offensive guy.. not necessarily either is #1C why neither was signed by the other teams as a #1 .. Padres went after a #1 C Vazquez and did not land him.. so they pivoted to the best backup out there.. while allowing Campy to claim that role 1st..

Quote from BoosterSD on January 20, 2023, 11:29 am

Quote from fenn68 on January 20, 2023, 10:03 am

Maybe higher on he worry wall should be deploying that IF statement to Nola. Catcher is key to managing the pitching staff during the game and IF Nola goes down for the season in April ... that problem becomes a major issue for the pitching staff. Consider:

There is still time for a trade for a C, I still think there is a basis of a ATL/SD trade based around Kim and D'Arnaud, especially if SD can keep Nola. Not sure if ATL has confidence in Tromp as a back up to Murphy.

Looking at the remaining FA options, I believe that Chirinos and Torrens both have reputations as good game calling Cs. Not sure about Perez or Plawecki. The last remaing FA option is Gary Sanchez, now defensively I understand that he is not good, dont know about his game calling.

So FA wise, it could boil down to MiL deals for Chirinos, Torrens, or maybe Perez. And Perez had a decent year at the plate last season for a C.

Quote from fenn68 on January 20, 2023, 11:56 am

Being reported that MIA and MINN are in agreement on a deal including Lopez for Arraez … nothing yet on any other pieces being moved in the deal.

Serves both teams wants.

Probably takes MIA out of the trading game by eating up their excess SP.

Quote from BoosterSD on January 20, 2023, 11:59 am

Quote from fenn68 on January 20, 2023, 11:56 am

Being reported that MIA and MINN are in agreement on a deal including Lopez for Arraez … nothing yet on any other pieces being moved in the deal.

Serves both teams wants.

Probably takes MIA out of the trading game by eating up their excess SP.

MLBTR is reporting that two additional prospects are going to MIN from MIA.

Agree, looks like SD is standing pat SP wise, unless they think that Wacha is worth a salary and the CBT penalty dollars as well.

 

Quote from Henry Silvestre on January 20, 2023, 12:12 pm

https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1616527127104598016?t=k-ziTSY3BIrsVPydyiSsXg&s=19

Salas bro is closer to SD now