Quote from BoosterSD on December 2, 2024, 7:49 am

If we could get Bieber, Soroka, or Quantrill cheap enough, those are three good bounce back candidates.

But honestly, I would be OK starting the season with both Vasquez and Waldron. Both showed at times good ability and had some strong starts. I think Waldron got tired towards the end. I think Vasquez was figuring some stuff out, and finished well, especially his last start in AZ with the Dbacks season on the line. Then, Preller can look at upgrades towards the trade deadline.

My main focus for this offseason is the signing of Profar. Never mind his crazy stats from last season, there is just something about him on the SD team that makes everyone perform better. With all the "stars" on this team, he is somehow the glue that brings everyone together.

Hopefully he and his agent realize that SD is also the best fit for him as well. He doesn't perform anywhere near how he does when in a SD uni, both of them and Preller need to realize that SD is the best spot for both Profar's success. And IMO SDs success as well.

Quote from fenn68 on December 2, 2024, 7:55 am

MLBTradeRumors has speculated on the Padres dealing Arraez for more payroll space. Not sure they can find a buyer to take his projected arbitration salary (even with giving nothing in return .. note how little the Padres gave up for 2 years of Arraez). Add that just adds a fourth line-up hole.

About the only two players that have a salary of note … without no trade issues … and could be replaced with league minimum internal options and have some appeal for other teams would be Suarez and Peralta … RP are always in demand. Moving them would put about $13MM more to work with. I guess maybe Matsui too.

Adam / Estrada gave a shot at closer while potentially non-roster Pena and Rodriguez have the skills to breakout. Gamble yes but maybe a needed gamble.

 

Quote from MrPadre19 on December 2, 2024, 9:53 am

Quote from fenn68 on December 2, 2024, 7:44 am

Quote from MrPadre19 on December 2, 2024, 6:57 am

I'd like to see us sign a low risk/high reward SP like Soroka,Turnbull or Buehler.

Buehler may cost more due to his pedigree when healthy ......Soroka would be my #1 choice.Still only 27 and not much wear and tear on his arm due to injuries.....which were mostly leg injuries.

Turnbull was pretty good last year when healthy.

Not sure they are “low risk” given injury histories. Did see an estimate that Buehler would get around $15MM … so not even in play for the Padres. Soroka and Turnbull “could be” in the $4-5MM range but given the early SP signings that may be low.

Where do the Padres “gamble” with some unproven league minimum types so they can fill out the other needs with at least low end veterans? Of course don’t really know their payroll target (and is that cash or CBT based). I think more worried about LF, 1B/DH, C where no ML quality players and little to nothing in the minors to step up for 2025. That is a problem for 1/3 of the starting line-up before injuries. Even the lower end veterans with any positives as a starter … with still gambling … are in the $4MM+ range. Fill those three … even low end … eats up a lot of payroll space. So, sort of thinking the real gamble should be on league minimum SP (hopefully with Sasaki in the fold) and use budget to fill the position player voids.

Yeah I should have said "low cost"....in context with what the "healthy" options are getting.

 

Quote from fenn68 on December 2, 2024, 4:02 pm

Just filling time with little Padre news, so relating an unsubstantiated rumor floating around the internet (and heard it relayed on the Gwynn and Chris radio show).

Padres and Blue Jays may be working on a 6 player trade that has Campusano and Cronenworth going to Toronto with Vlad Guerrero coming to the Padres … no comments on the other players or if there is any money going back or forth to balance the contract commitments.

On the surface, Guerrero’s big bat at 1B would appeal but not sure where the Padres would go for catchers and a 2B/SS … Guerrero will get big money in 2025 (Arb around $30MM and a FA after 2025), so money likely will have to be creative. Getting out of Cronenworth’s long deal would be of long term benefit.

Just something to consider but not betting on it.

Quote from fenn68 on December 2, 2024, 5:19 pm

Higashioka to sign with Texas (no terms yet). Was really expecting a return to SD given his work with the pitching staff and little other options.

Quote from ultratvfan on December 2, 2024, 5:27 pm

Quote from fenn68 on December 2, 2024, 5:19 pm

Higashioka to sign with Texas (no terms yet). Was really expecting a return to SD given his work with the pitching staff and little other options.

I just read this and you beat me to posting it. I, too, was really hoping he would return. All I could find at this writing is that he signed for two years.

Quote from Jeremy Hill on December 2, 2024, 10:41 pm

Quote from fenn68 on December 2, 2024, 4:02 pm

Just filling time with little Padre news, so relating an unsubstantiated rumor floating around the internet (and heard it relayed on the Gwynn and Chris radio show).

Padres and Blue Jays may be working on a 6 player trade that has Campusano and Cronenworth going to Toronto with Vlad Guerrero coming to the Padres … no comments on the other players or if there is any money going back or forth to balance the contract commitments.

On the surface, Guerrero’s big bat at 1B would appeal but not sure where the Padres would go for catchers and a 2B/SS … Guerrero will get big money in 2025 (Arb around $30MM and a FA after 2025), so money likely will have to be creative. Getting out of Cronenworth’s long deal would be of long term benefit.

Just something to consider but not betting on it.

From what I can tell this is a rumor that got started by a parody account and spread by a fake insider. Just typical Twitter nonsense, but it's fun to dream.

Quote from fenn68 on December 3, 2024, 2:27 am

Quote from ultratvfan on December 2, 2024, 5:27 pm

Quote from fenn68 on December 2, 2024, 5:19 pm

Higashioka to sign with Texas (no terms yet). Was really expecting a return to SD given his work with the pitching staff and little other options.

I just read this and you beat me to posting it. I, too, was really hoping he would return. All I could find at this writing is that he signed for two years.

$13.5 MM guaranteed over 2 years …. A lot more than I expected for Higashioka even in a poor FA class for catchers.

Not sure where the Padres go for another catcher at this point considering the FA market is weak (but apparently costly). Can a contending team live with Campusano and Sullivan?

Maybe Preller can swing a trade that gets a decent low cost catcher or take a real gamble on Campusano / Sullivan to start the season then, if needed, make a very early call-up of Salas (who should start in AA) or Valenzuela out of AAA). Would be surprised if their bats are ready but defensively they might be.

At a least we should expect him to sign a veteran catcher to a minor league deal with an invite to ST to cover early injuries (Campy does seem to get nicked up a lot). Note that Sullivan is out of minor league options and he may just be appealing enough for a team needing a back-up to claim off waivers or (not sure here) he might be in a position to turn down a DFA and go FA to sign with a different organization.

Setting up to be Campusano’s big chance to show his potential as a #1 starting catcher.

Quote from MrPadre19 on December 3, 2024, 4:57 am

Campy/Sullivan to start the year......unless AJ picks up a guy in ST and he beats out one.