Quote from fenn68 on December 3, 2024, 5:46 am

Quote from MrPadre19 on December 3, 2024, 5:23 am

I wonder if Campy gets the role of catching Waldron?

 

If Waldron makes the team … maybe but it would be ugly (Campy is not the most agile defensive catcher). Don’t know enough about Sullivan.

If Padres sign Sasaki … Waldron may get beat out by Vasquez or one of the prospects if Waldron’s second half appears to be the real Waldron (at least in ST).

Quote from fenn68 on December 3, 2024, 5:55 am

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.

 

Looking at the remaining FA catchers … only 2 are interesting but expect both will cost too much (more than Higashioka) … both 30 with similar projected WAR … Carson Kelly and Danny Janson.

Next tier has Sanchez and Grandal … older on on the decline and projected to be less productive than Higashioka.

After than a lot of back-up types … so should see one (or two) added on a minor league deal and a ST look.

So baring a trade (that I don’t see), Campy is on track to be the #1 catcher … maybe 100-110 games. However, he does get nicked up a lot … so that back-up and AAA reserve may get a lot of time. Preller should be targeting a strong defense option and less interest in offense since plugging in a catcher mid-season is easier if defensively strong.

Quote from MrPadre19 on December 3, 2024, 6:23 am

There's no way Salas starts the season in San Diego even with a great Spring Training right?

Right?

 

Quote from BoosterSD on December 3, 2024, 7:56 am

Quote from fenn68 on December 3, 2024, 5:55 am

 

Looking at the remaining FA catchers … only 2 are interesting but expect both will cost too much (more than Higashioka) … both 30 with similar projected WAR … Carson Kelly and Danny Janson.

Next tier has Sanchez and Grandal … older on on the decline and projected to be less productive than Higashioka.

After than a lot of back-up types … so should see one (or two) added on a minor league deal and a ST look.

So baring a trade (that I don’t see), Campy is on track to be the #1 catcher … maybe 100-110 games. However, he does get nicked up a lot … so that back-up and AAA reserve may get a lot of time. Preller should be targeting a strong defense option and less interest in offense since plugging in a catcher mid-season is easier if defensively strong.

Maldonado might be a good defensive option, and in a MLBTR post said he wants to play one last season, so cheap???

I could see a trade with MIN for Vasquez, as Preller was said to be in on him last offseason. Might have to get a little creative on that trade since I believe that Vasquez is owed around $10M for 2025, and that is a little high for his production and SD's payroll for 2025.

If the price is right, Carson Kelly might be a good option. Had a decent bat last season for a C.

Gary Sanchez seemed to blend well with SD during his time in 2023, maybe that is a decent option.

Quote from BoosterSD on December 3, 2024, 8:02 am

Quote from MrPadre19 on December 3, 2024, 6:23 am

There's no way Salas starts the season in San Diego even with a great Spring Training right?

Right?

 

I would not put it past Preller and Schmidt to run with Salas. I think most believe the glove is ready now, so if they think mentally he can handle the slumps at the plate batting, it possible.

I mean Merrill didnt have that much more time in the MiL last season, and they put a position change on him.

Quote from fenn68 on December 3, 2024, 8:03 am

Quote from MrPadre19 on December 3, 2024, 6:23 am

There's no way Salas starts the season in San Diego even with a great Spring Training right?

Right?

 

Would highly doubt it but if he is doing well in AA … and considering the risks with Campusano / Sullivan could see him up on or around the trade deadline based on his defensive skills alone.

I thought they were too aggressive with Tatis … Merrill both coming up with only partial AA seasons … I was wrong. So given Salas’ pedigree … and Preller approach … and no real better options … late 2025 is realistic.

Quote from fenn68 on December 3, 2024, 8:29 am

Quote from BoosterSD on December 3, 2024, 7:56 am

Quote from fenn68 on December 3, 2024, 5:55 am

 

Looking at the remaining FA catchers … only 2 are interesting but expect both will cost too much (more than Higashioka) … both 30 with similar projected WAR … Carson Kelly and Danny Janson.

Next tier has Sanchez and Grandal … older on on the decline and projected to be less productive than Higashioka.

After than a lot of back-up types … so should see one (or two) added on a minor league deal and a ST look.

So baring a trade (that I don’t see), Campy is on track to be the #1 catcher … maybe 100-110 games. However, he does get nicked up a lot … so that back-up and AAA reserve may get a lot of time. Preller should be targeting a strong defense option and less interest in offense since plugging in a catcher mid-season is easier if defensively strong.

Maldonado might be a good defensive option, and in a MLBTR post said he wants to play one last season, so cheap???

I could see a trade with MIN for Vasquez, as Preller was said to be in on him last offseason. Might have to get a little creative on that trade since I believe that Vasquez is owed around $10M for 2025, and that is a little high for his production and SD's payroll for 2025.

If the price is right, Carson Kelly might be a good option. Had a decent bat last season for a C.

Gary Sanchez seemed to blend well with SD during his time in 2023, maybe that is a decent option.

Kelly will be way out of the Padres’ plan … at 30 should get a very strong multi-year deal and that does not fit with the plan for Salas arriving in 2026 (or sooner).

IF the Padres are willing to move Suarez (who is at $9MM AAV and can/will opt out after 2025) in some sort of 3 way deal (MINN does not need a closer) they could handle Vazquez’ $10MM (FA after 2025). Vazquez‘ defensive skills (but little offense) might work given the offense from the rest of the offense.

At his point, minimizing the payroll may override the small differences in the remaining FA .. so sign a leftover to a minor league deal and if to the ML something more like Solano last season at $1-2MM. Then just wait for Salas.

Side: if we are talking emergency back-up for 2025 … in AAA should be Valenzuela who has shown no projection as a hitter but is supposedly a plus defender … low cost option until Salas?

Guessing they go minimal on a second catcher behind Campy … and focus the money on a LF and a 1B/DH.

Quote from Randy Manese on December 3, 2024, 8:32 am

Happy for Higgy as a person as he gave his all for the Padres last year.  Sorry that he won't be with the Padres to help develop the staff and split time with Campy, however, he got his last big contract before retirement so wishing him the very best.

Quote from Jeremy Hill on December 3, 2024, 3:50 pm

Higgy seemed like a good dude and had a nice season for us. Having said that I'm not really sad to see him go at that price. On a team that may need to be smart about how it spends, giving a soon to be 35 year old catcher that kind of money and hoping that he'll be able to sustain the uptick in power would have been unwise imo. At this point I think you just sign a cheap vet and hope that Campy rises to the occasion. The catching market is pretty uninspiring.