Quote from Jeremy Hill on March 31, 2023, 10:47 pm

7 year extension for Cronenworth. I didn't see that one coming.

https://mobile.twitter.com/dennistlin/status/1642038760585170945

Quote from WindsorUK on April 1, 2023, 12:15 am

Quote from Jeremy Hill on March 31, 2023, 10:47 pm

7 year extension for Cronenworth. I didn't see that one coming.

https://mobile.twitter.com/dennistlin/status/1642038760585170945

Yeah, a bit weird? Why not let Jake put up numbers at 1B before securing him long term?

Personally think he's better at 2B so be interesting to see the amount of money involved.

Quote from fenn68 on April 1, 2023, 2:48 am

Will be interesting to see the amount and the structure of of the deal covering his last two arb years (24-5) and five FA years. Bit surprised they bought out five FA years but maybe that got the AAV down with the “extra” year(s).

Does open the question on the future of Kim and Merrill with three of the four INF slots locked for the next eight years although a rotating DH could be in play IF they decide to keep Kim after 2024. If they keep Kim … Merrill to the OF? Kim or Merrill become trade chips?

Clearly they like Cronenworth beyond his stats … tie that with what they see currently in the system for 1B/DH and they may not see anyone to achieve a Cronenworth level.

Who is next? Hader, Kim, or Grisham?

Quote from Henry Silvestre on April 1, 2023, 8:02 am

Quote from fenn68 on April 1, 2023, 2:48 am

Will be interesting to see the amount and the structure of of the deal covering his last two arb years (24-5) and five FA years. Bit surprised they bought out five FA years but maybe that got the AAV down with the “extra” year(s).

Does open the question on the future of Kim and Merrill with three of the four INF slots locked for the next eight years although a rotating DH could be in play IF they decide to keep Kim after 2024. If they keep Kim … Merrill to the OF? Kim or Merrill become trade chips?

Clearly they like Cronenworth beyond his stats … tie that with what they see currently in the system for 1B/DH and they may not see anyone to achieve a Cronenworth level.

Who is next? Hader, Kim, or Grisham?

7/$80

Quote from fenn68 on April 1, 2023, 8:36 am

Quote from Henry Silvestre on April 1, 2023, 8:02 am

Quote from fenn68 on April 1, 2023, 2:48 am

Will be interesting to see the amount and the structure of of the deal covering his last two arb years (24-5) and five FA years. Bit surprised they bought out five FA years but maybe that got the AAV down with the “extra” year(s).

Does open the question on the future of Kim and Merrill with three of the four INF slots locked for the next eight years although a rotating DH could be in play IF they decide to keep Kim after 2024. If they keep Kim … Merrill to the OF? Kim or Merrill become trade chips?

Clearly they like Cronenworth beyond his stats … tie that with what they see currently in the system for 1B/DH and they may not see anyone to achieve a Cronenworth level.

Who is next? Hader, Kim, or Grisham?

7/$80

Just over an $11.4MM AAV starting in 2024. Appears that rolling in "lower" expected arbitration years 2024-25 with the "higher" expected FA years gets them a higher CBT payroll in the near term but a lower CBT payroll for the out years.

I guess you have to know what the Padres see as short run and long run contracts / CBT status to see the effect of this move. However, at the core, it is clear they believed they know enough about Cronenworth to want to retain him for the long term.

 

Quote from Henry Silvestre on April 1, 2023, 9:36 am

Quote from fenn68 on April 1, 2023, 8:36 am

Quote from Henry Silvestre on April 1, 2023, 8:02 am

Quote from fenn68 on April 1, 2023, 2:48 am

Will be interesting to see the amount and the structure of of the deal covering his last two arb years (24-5) and five FA years. Bit surprised they bought out five FA years but maybe that got the AAV down with the “extra” year(s).

Does open the question on the future of Kim and Merrill with three of the four INF slots locked for the next eight years although a rotating DH could be in play IF they decide to keep Kim after 2024. If they keep Kim … Merrill to the OF? Kim or Merrill become trade chips?

Clearly they like Cronenworth beyond his stats … tie that with what they see currently in the system for 1B/DH and they may not see anyone to achieve a Cronenworth level.

Who is next? Hader, Kim, or Grisham?

7/$80

Just over an $11.4MM AAV starting in 2024. Appears that rolling in "lower" expected arbitration years 2024-25 with the "higher" expected FA years gets them a higher CBT payroll in the near term but a lower CBT payroll for the out years.

I guess you have to know what the Padres see as short run and long run contracts / CBT status to see the effect of this move. However, at the core, it is clear they believed they know enough about Cronenworth to want to retain him for the long term.

 

Thing with Jake .. he offers plenty of positional flex.. 1B/2B but also has COF experience.. so doesn't hurt prospects like Merrill.. even with Manny/X locked up..both of these guys are going to be 1B/DH circa 8 yrs in on their deals if not sooner.. Jake could be 2B or LF/RF ..even 3B if need be.. Merrill/DeVrie etc.. likely SS.. so yes a few trade chips in next offseason plans..

Quote from MrPadre19 on April 1, 2023, 10:27 am

I see Jacob at 2b after 2024.

Kim will move on most likely.

My guess we sign a short term slugging 1b in free agency until we move Xander or Manny to 1b in 2026-27.

Unless someone emerges from the Farm (Mears/Doersching?).

 

 

Quote from Jeremy Hill on April 1, 2023, 11:36 am

Happy for Jacob. I like him a lot on and off the field. In this day and age it's a little surprising nothing leaked along the way. With him under control for a few more years and not set to hit free agency until after his age 31 season I didn't think he would be someone they were prioritizing right now. It seems like good value though. Teams also seem to be less worried about how players are going to age then they once were. Locking in some cost certainty should also help out with planning future pursuits. Overall I'm pretty happy with this news.

Quote from fenn68 on April 1, 2023, 11:40 am

Quote from MrPadre19 on April 1, 2023, 10:27 am

I see Jacob at 2b after 2024.

Kim will move on most likely.

My guess we sign a short term slugging 1b in free agency until we move Xander or Manny to 1b in 2026-27.

Unless someone emerges from the Farm (Mears/Doersching?).

 

 

As likely Merrill takes 2B in 2025 (post-Kim) and Croney stays at 1B … sticking with the four SS INF. Of course, would not rule out an extension for Kim setting up with Merrill a 5 man INF/DH set. Extending Kim may be cheaper than a quality 1B/DH FA and with greater flexibility.

If they go on the FA market it probably will be a lower cost DH type (Cruz, Carpenter will be gone by 2025) who may fill in at 1B.

A lot of scenarios … but a re-sign of Kim might allow Merrill in 2025 to go to the OF (see Tatis) while either moving on from Grisham or just not re-sign (or unable to re-sign) Soto who will also be a FA in 2025. The pay difference between Kim and Soto could get them a very good SP … likely a need in 2025 with (as of now) only Musgrove and Darvish locked down.

Looking at the position players that under “normal” progression would be ML ready by 2025 … the only “starter” quality I see is Merrill (and that is maybe pushing it up by a year). If they extend Kim (who they like) … by 2025 they will have to back fill Soto, Engel, Carpenter, and Cruz … Merrill only replaces one. So if little internal support near term and Kim may be cheaper (or equal) to an equivalent replacement … why not extend him?