Quote from Jeremy Hill on July 29, 2023, 7:56 am

I remember arguing that Kim was another offensive step forward from being a Dansby Swanson type player in the off-season. He took that step forward and then some. I hope they find a way to keep him around for a long time.

Quote from dusty on July 29, 2023, 9:20 pm

Imagine the Padres had Campusano and Suarez all season. Heck add Sanchez into that too. We would probably be singing an entirely different tune. 2 offensive pieces and a bullpen piece/back end starter if we are buying will do. Otherwise deal Snell Hader and lugo.

Quote from Jeremy Hill on July 29, 2023, 11:03 pm

With how good the starting pitching has generally been, Suarez back to stabilize the pen and the offense picking it up a little you can understand why AJ is hesitant to sell. It's been kind of a rollercoaster all season long though. We look really good for a couple games like these last 2 then we follow it up with a dud. They're going to have to be good a lot more consistently to climb out of the hole they've put themselves into. If they're going to buy (and I'm starting to feel like they are going to again) they need to be smart about it. Focus on controllable pieces. I don't want to give up anything significant for rentals.

Quote from Stergios on July 30, 2023, 7:14 am

Quote from Jeremy Hill on July 29, 2023, 11:03 pm

With how good the starting pitching has generally been, Suarez back to stabilize the pen and the offense picking it up a little you can understand why AJ is hesitant to sell. It's been kind of a rollercoaster all season long though. We look really good for a couple games like these last 2 then we follow it up with a dud. They're going to have to be good a lot more consistently to climb out of the hole they've put themselves into. If they're going to buy (and I'm starting to feel like they are going to again) they need to be smart about it. Focus on controllable pieces. I don't want to give up anything significant for rentals.

Any controllable player we acquire though will cost us a or multiple top prospects.  Whom are you ready to part with?  Merrill?  Salas?  Lesko?

Quote from MrPadre19 on July 30, 2023, 7:20 am

Quote from Stergios on July 30, 2023, 7:14 am

Quote from Jeremy Hill on July 29, 2023, 11:03 pm

With how good the starting pitching has generally been, Suarez back to stabilize the pen and the offense picking it up a little you can understand why AJ is hesitant to sell. It's been kind of a rollercoaster all season long though. We look really good for a couple games like these last 2 then we follow it up with a dud. They're going to have to be good a lot more consistently to climb out of the hole they've put themselves into. If they're going to buy (and I'm starting to feel like they are going to again) they need to be smart about it. Focus on controllable pieces. I don't want to give up anything significant for rentals.

Any controllable player we acquire though will cost us a or multiple top prospects.  Whom are you ready to part with?  Merrill?  Salas?  Lesko?

Not everyone controllable is worth those guys.

But I wouldn’t be shocked if we traded Merrill.

Especially if the plan is to extend Kim.

His value is high right now and his position on this team is as deep as any position on any team in MLB.

I’m fine with keeping him of course…But what if (and just a thought),you could get Goldy for this year and next for him and the Cards paid some of his salary…..worth it or no?

 

Quote from Stergios on July 30, 2023, 7:26 am

Quote from Jeremy Hill on July 29, 2023, 7:56 am

I remember arguing that Kim was another offensive step forward from being a Dansby Swanson type player in the off-season. He took that step forward and then some. I hope they find a way to keep him around for a long time.

I recall thinking, this past offseason, that Cronenworth is a guy who could surely command a good return, but that we wouldn’t trade him considering his importance to team stability.  He had definitely been one of our most important players through the end of last season, and a member of our core.  As a result, if we had traded him, everyone in this forum would have complained.  But it now seems as if trading him would have been a great idea.

Perhaps we should move Kim now when his value is high?

Quote from Jeremy Hill on July 30, 2023, 7:38 am

Quote from Stergios on July 30, 2023, 7:14 am

Quote from Jeremy Hill on July 29, 2023, 11:03 pm

With how good the starting pitching has generally been, Suarez back to stabilize the pen and the offense picking it up a little you can understand why AJ is hesitant to sell. It's been kind of a rollercoaster all season long though. We look really good for a couple games like these last 2 then we follow it up with a dud. They're going to have to be good a lot more consistently to climb out of the hole they've put themselves into. If they're going to buy (and I'm starting to feel like they are going to again) they need to be smart about it. Focus on controllable pieces. I don't want to give up anything significant for rentals.

Any controllable player we acquire though will cost us a or multiple top prospects.  Whom are you ready to part with?  Merrill?  Salas?  Lesko?

There are controllable guys who could help who won't cost anything close to that. Someone like Mark Canha as an example, who has a club option for next season could give us a versatile bat and should not be to costly to acquire.

Quote from Jeremy Hill on July 30, 2023, 7:51 am

Quote from Stergios on July 30, 2023, 7:26 am

Quote from Jeremy Hill on July 29, 2023, 7:56 am

I remember arguing that Kim was another offensive step forward from being a Dansby Swanson type player in the off-season. He took that step forward and then some. I hope they find a way to keep him around for a long time.

I recall thinking, this past offseason, that Cronenworth is a guy who could surely command a good return, but that we wouldn’t trade him considering his importance to team stability.  He had definitely been one of our most important players through the end of last season, and a member of our core.  As a result, if we had traded him, everyone in this forum would have complained.  But it now seems as if trading him would have been a great idea

Yeah in hindsight that might have been the right move. At the time of the extension I think most of us were happy to see Jake get a long term deal. It seemed a little premature since he was an older 1st year arbitration guy, but I think we all expected the offense to bounce back with his hip healed. That hasn't happened, so now things look a lot worse.

Quote from fenn68 on July 30, 2023, 8:14 am

Controllable is good … or could be bad. Start with the player actually projected as good in the future … have to consider his salary (given the other roster upgrades needed) … and of course the price in prospect to get him.

Adam Frazier was controllable and that was not a plus move at the deadline. Sometimes it is better to go with the rental and regroup for next year during the winter when potentially more players may be moved.

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Personally don’t see any names being bandied about that would warrant the trade of Merrill (way too much upside) and the Padres have no assurance the can re-sign Kim without running out another very long / very large contract … there are limits even Siedler will have on total payroll and SP seems to be lurking as priority #1.

At some point (probably soon) the Padres have to start folding in some top talent at league minimum cost.

I will suggest that IF they do give the big contract to Kim … Merrill’s bat will work as the DH/5th INF or one of the 5 INF replaces Soto in LF in 2025 (whose contract will be hard to handle). Savings on Soto will more than pay for Kim … not considering the other moving parts in SP.