Quote from BoosterSD on February 3, 2023, 7:46 am

Quote from Henry Silvestre on February 2, 2023, 2:58 pm

Buster talking to AJP... around 39 minutes in..1st couple min are Basketball ..but then he gets into Machado, Soto and Tatis..as well as SP mentions Weathers/Groome and Teheran

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ZDnLUpCWDHWRfuN3Yzyx1?si=ML6qDBvTRF-x6oGpx4mthg&utm_source=copy-link

The rest of the interviews are good too...

Looks like there could be some extension talks with Manny.  Etc..

Listened to AJP interview, and a lot of GM speak and generalities about the team, nothing real that you can sink your teeth into commitment wise.

The main point left up in the air IMO, was the positional spot of Tatis. Listening to the talking heads on XM this morning, they did talk about SD a little this morning, and they were both saying that Soto in RF and Tatis in LF upon his return. I think this is backwards. IMO Soto seems better suited to LF, and Tatis with his speed and arm, better suited for RF.

Thoughts on where Tatis plays this season after his return?

Quote from BoosterSD on February 3, 2023, 7:57 am

I know that we are late in the offseason, and many teams are close to set for the start of ST, however I still think that SD is light in the SP department, even to start the season. I know many on here are on the thought that SD can wait to the deadline to pick up that SP that will make the difference, and that is probably correct since most of the difference makers SP wise are on teams that have playoff aspirations as well.

However, I still think that Preller will pull off a ST trade to add depth to the SP for the earlier part of the season. I would think that would need to come from a team that has no real chance for a playoff hunt. A team like OAK, CIN, DET, WAS, and maybe PIT.

Is there a SP on one of those teams, that could be a good get that does not cost too much prospect wise that could help SD through the deadline time frame? They would need to be relatively cheap salary wise, and have stuff that could play up on a better team and with the teachings of Niebla.

One that comes to mind is Brubaker from PIT. Maybe Blackburn from OAK. And perhaps there is still something with Lauer from MIL, with them wanting to get SP time for Ashby.

Quote from Henry Silvestre on February 3, 2023, 11:32 am

Quote from BoosterSD on February 3, 2023, 7:57 am

I know that we are late in the offseason, and many teams are close to set for the start of ST, however I still think that SD is light in the SP department, even to start the season. I know many on here are on the thought that SD can wait to the deadline to pick up that SP that will make the difference, and that is probably correct since most of the difference makers SP wise are on teams that have playoff aspirations as well.

However, I still think that Preller will pull off a ST trade to add depth to the SP for the earlier part of the season. I would think that would need to come from a team that has no real chance for a playoff hunt. A team like OAK, CIN, DET, WAS, and maybe PIT.

Is there a SP on one of those teams, that could be a good get that does not cost too much prospect wise that could help SD through the deadline time frame? They would need to be relatively cheap salary wise, and have stuff that could play up on a better team and with the teachings of Niebla.

One that comes to mind is Brubaker from PIT. Maybe Blackburn from OAK. And perhaps there is still something with Lauer from MIL, with them wanting to get SP time for Ashby.

I 💯 expect AJP to make 1 or 2 trades.. before opening day if not more..if Honeywell and Lopez show well in spring I can see AJP working on a $$consideration or DR spec to "buy/trade" Lopez out of his rule V status from his original team giving AJP flexibility.. if both of those kids are on the 26 opening day ..Crismatt is almost 💯 traded.. I can see a Morejon + trade for a SP in the Lauer mold.. a $$ conscious team like Breweres would love a move like that

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 3, 2023, 12:11 pm

I listened to Preller on Olneys Podcast and he seemed pretty adamant that the #4-#6 SP's were already on the roster.

He said the bottom part of the rotation would be handled "internally".

He mentioned Lugo,Weathers,Morejon and Teheran.

I didn't hear him say Honeywell but I either missed it or he just failed to include him...but I'm sure he's in the mix as well.

I used to think he was still going to make a trade for a SP but I don't any more.

My guess is,and it's only a guess, is that he was in on Lopez from Mia...and maybe another Miami SP, and when that didn't happen he's decided to rely on all of our fringe options.

Of course this could change...esp if another team finds themselves in need of a guy like Grisham or Kim or even decides to trade a SP for a prospect or two.

I'm just leaning now that we won't be trading for a SP until the deadline and even then only if guys don't step up.

We're replacing innings from Celvinger/Manaea/Gore....I don't think that will be hard with the arms we have in the fold currently but if an ideal situation arises I expect AJ to always be in consideration.

 

Quote from BoosterSD on February 3, 2023, 12:44 pm

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 3, 2023, 12:11 pm

He said the bottom part of the rotation would be handled "internally".

He mentioned Lugo, Weathers, Morejon, and Teheran.

We're replacing innings from Celvinger/Manaea/Gore....I don't think that will be hard with the arms we have in the fold currently but if an ideal situation arises I expect AJ to always be in consideration.

I really dont have faith in these 4 or Martinez as starting pitchers for a playoff team, maybe Teheran if he has found it again. Nor do I think that Lugo, Weathers, or Groome will be able to replace the performance of Clevinger, Manaea, or Gore. We can hope that Teheran or Martinez can but probably not for the entire season. Clevinger, Manaea, and Gore were fairly effective in the first part of the season, before injuries got the 3 in towards the 2nd half.

And as I have said before, Lord helps us should one of Darvish, Snell, Musgrove go down for any amount of time.

Time will tell, and I hope I am wrong because this offense is loaded.

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 3, 2023, 1:31 pm

I would have much rather we had added a Bassitt or a Senga but we didn't.....so now it is what it is.

I'm still surprised we added another SS instead.....weird.

I guess he's thinking even if the back half of the rotation isn't as good the offense should more than make up for it.

Last year we had no Tatis and no Bogaerts and only 2 months of Soto.

That's ALOT of offense added.....not even a lot....a TON!

Plus I imagine if none of the 4-5 options pitch well AJ will add a SP at the deadline for the Playoffs.

There's no way he doesn't at least have the same concerns we do....he probably has already had preliminary discussions with GM's from teams that don't expect to be in the playoff race at the deadline.

He most likely already knows which guys may be available(FA's at the end of 23' or 24')  and what kind of return they are looking for.

AJ knows with Manny and Sotos' situations we need to win this year or next...I doubt he's taking the starting pitching situation lightly.

 

 

 

Quote from BoosterSD on February 3, 2023, 1:53 pm

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 3, 2023, 1:31 pm

I guess he's thinking even if the back half of the rotation isn't as good the offense should more than make up for it.

Last year we had no Tatis and no Bogaerts and only 2 months of Soto.

That's A LOT of offense added.....not even a lot....a TON!

And not the best version of Soto either. No to mention the adds of Carpenter and Cruz, yeah this line up is stacked. Could be the deepest in MLB this season.

And I agree that we will have a very nice SP add around the deadline, my concern is getting there. I guess it doesnt matter whether you win 3 to 1, or 7 to 4 a win is a win.

Mash the teams that we are supposed to mash, and then get that final SP piece, win the division, and bring home the WS trophy in 2023.

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 3, 2023, 2:01 pm

It also helps we won't be playing the dodgers 19 times and will be playing some other lowly teams from the AL.

I haven't looked at it closely but I assume the schedule will be easier w/o having all those games with them.

Even though we are better than them now IMO,and we knocked them out of the Playoffs last year,they still seem like our nemesis.

Bring on the Tigers,A's and Royals!

One other thing...I think the Bullpen is also better than last year...may be elite and a top 5 in MLB.

So even if we are behind by a couple runs going into the 6th-7th I like our chances more this year ...I can't imagine going through our 1-5 unscathed more than 1 or 2 times a game.

 

 

Quote from Henry Silvestre on February 3, 2023, 3:20 pm

I think Martinez will be > than 2022 as a SP.. in 2022 he allowed

1 4 2 2 1 5 0 2 3 2 1 and 4 (last one at Colorado).. his worst IP game was 4.0 IP his best 7 vs Philly allowing only 1 run.. His worst game was vs Cubs allowed 5 runs.. in fact his worst games were vs losing teams.. he pitched very well vs Brewers/LAD (except for BBs 5 which resulted in an early exit but only 2 runs) Phillies/St Louis and all.. the other 4 run game was vs Braves.. allowed only 3 runs 1x and most starts (8 of them were 3 = 1 run 1=0 runs and 4 = 2 runs... he avg 5.01 IP per start... not worried at all about Nick 3 or fewer runs allowed on 75+% of his games = 90% win probability in these..

I dont see Lugo in a typical SP role 30 starts etc.. as a #5.. I see him more in the 10-15 Starts with someone like Honeywell getting 10-15 starts and maybe combined handling 20-30 Starts while going back and forth BP/SP..perhaps even alternating 2-3 starts one 2 or 3 starts the other to keep them from wearing out since neither has pitched too many IP leading into 2023..

Which brings us to #6.. where Groome_Avila/Teheran/Westhers and Company will be competing for starts IF the team goes with 6 even if its just the 1st month or 2 of the season.. The difference is these guys at 6 unlike Lugo/Honeywell at 5..are used to the SP workload 5-6+ IP.. so if one shines in ST they will assume that role ..if a couple look good or ok we can see them up and down for a Start or 2 all season long alternating 5 or 6 starts each.. Ideally ONE Groome perhaps becomes the regular #6 and the rest are more traditional depth at AAA..

Anyway I think the biggest ? Is Lugo/Honeywell tandem or individually one because he has been meh as a SP and one hasn't been healthy..to me a true 5th SP or 4th (like a Lauer type is the depth we need) I would feel much better about Lugo/Honeywell/Other getting 6th starts..knowing 5 (3 elite) other "reliable" SP are in front of them..

With that said I can see AJP pulling a B Singer trade and leaving us all dumbfounded like I didn't see that coming lol