Quote from Henry Silvestre on November 9, 2022, 11:15 am

AJ Pollock /Joc platoon pairing could be pretty sweet if we can mustard that under $17per..combined (3yr deals x2).. Drury/Joc for $15-$16 would be cool too...

Quote from fenn68 on November 9, 2022, 11:36 am

Going to be hard to get a good hitter (even if only a platoon type) for much under $8-10MM/yr. So, signing two to form a platoon seems unlikely since that only covers one slot and still needing to cover the other hitter and SP. Either go big on one every day player or go for one platoon type (on the side they need most ... LHH?) and go lower end for the platoon mate.

The other question is how long can Preller wait to make to call. IF it gets close to ST the "fringe players" unsigned could be a bargain or the could be signed elsewhere with nothing left.

Quote from BoosterSD on November 9, 2022, 12:34 pm

Quote from fenn68 on November 9, 2022, 10:55 am

Of course as wild card option could still land Cronenworth at 1B for defense by the Padres signing a good middle INF to handle 2B who is a plus defensive option with a decent bat at a low cost since 2B are not generally high in the pecking order of FA. (no idea who though). Tatis to LF.

I can see merit to the idea of signing/trading for more of a defensive middle of the road bat for 2B, especially if he can be had for the $4-6M range, and sliding Crone to 1B.

Looking at the FA, and with the TEX connection, Rougned Odor could be an option. LHH with a little bit of power. Villar is a SH option, with position flexibility. Ceasar Hernandez LHH, could be an option.

And I am still intrigued by a trade for Berti (should not be a lot in prospects) especially with his speed, stole 41 bases last season to lead ML, and he offers some position flexibility as well.

 

Quote from Henry Silvestre on November 9, 2022, 2:25 pm

Ji Man-Choi appearantely available .. low $$ 1B with very good splits vs RHP.. he is another platoon type bat.. a guy like Dixon (vs lhp) could be the ideal platoon partner with a guy like Choi..as could Drury (who could DH vs RHP..and platoon with Choi at 1B vs LHP or vice versa).. so many directions this offseason can go..

Quote from BoosterSD on November 9, 2022, 2:27 pm

Quote from Henry Silvestre on November 9, 2022, 2:25 pm

Ji Man-Choi appearantely available .. low $$ 1B with very good splits vs RHP.. he is another platoon type bat.. a guy like Dixon (vs lhp) could be the ideal platoon partner with a guy like Choi..as could Drury (who could DH vs RHP..and platoon with Choi at 1B vs LHP or vice versa).. so many directions this offseason can go..

I bet Drury gets overpaid by a team to the amount of $10-12M per season, IF he signed in SD, you dont platoon a guy at that money.

Quote from Jeremy Hill on November 9, 2022, 2:55 pm

Choi is one of the guys I brought up. That would be a good pickup.

Quote from fenn68 on November 9, 2022, 2:56 pm

Quote from Henry Silvestre on November 9, 2022, 2:25 pm

Ji Man-Choi appearantely available .. low $$ 1B with very good splits vs RHP.. he is another platoon type bat.. a guy like Dixon (vs lhp) could be the ideal platoon partner with a guy like Choi..as could Drury (who could DH vs RHP..and platoon with Choi at 1B vs LHP or vice versa).. so many directions this offseason can go..

"available" is a tricky concept ... 1 year control / $4.5MM set arb but who would TB slide into 1B/DH if they dealt him? What would they demand to let him go.

I actually like watching him but even though he is a LHH ... limited to 1B/DH and if his "value" is as a platoon player need to focus on a complementary 1B that would detract from options for the 9th starting bat. I am not a fan of having other players shifting around every LHP to cover him and expose a new hole somewhere in the line-up.

For me initially adding platoon players puts a real squeeze on the roster. Target should be two "regulars" every day options and if cannot get them ... go with the fall back.

Still stuck on first signing a legit mid-rotation SP and an every day hitter with the bulk of the money ... see what is left and go next tier on the 9th hitter and the last SP with the rest. Basically scramble as the winter signs start to evaporate (but maybe some unsigned bargain gambles).

 

Quote from TucsonClip on November 10, 2022, 12:15 am

Lin published an interesting article tonight with some tidbits.

He expects Martinez to be back, in some form. Either opting in or Padres bringing him back by buying out the options with a slight raise. Plus, Martinez has made it known he wants to stay, but also wants to start. The thought is he can fill the 4th or 5th slot and then they see what the needs are for him later in the season again.

Some in the organization would like Tati at 2B. He mentions the odds are probably smaller than him as a corner OF, but it would fill a void with Jake at 1B and elite infield defense. He mentions it has been brought up to Tati, but not Jake.

Also dropped a nugget that they would like Suarez back, which just sounds to me like Preller helping to create a more robust market for Suarez.

Alfaro and Adams expected to be nontendered.

Quote from fenn68 on November 10, 2022, 1:49 am

In a Preller interview … he clearly left the door open on the Martinez return possibility and might know more by the end of the week … sounds as though more serious talks (or closer) than had been with Profar / Suarez.

Also, did sound as though don’t rule out Profar … seems no one knows what Profar / Boras is seeking in a contract and the market in FA may help size their demands. Might fall back into Preller’s range (who has not problem with players going to FA to test the market). Beyond that, not much but the expected generalizations at this stage.