Quote from Randy Manese on December 20, 2024, 8:21 pm

I like your analysis of Profar and what he might do.  While Profar is on the older side for a baseball player and has been playing baseball for many years, he still is a youngish man with a young family if he were not a baseball player.  I think this kind of contract gives him security after his playing days are over and also gives him the ability to retire and spend time with his family.  I think he wants to play with his friends in a city that loves him.  I think his ego will say he can perform like last year, but the reality of last season is that he did fade as the year came to an end (maybe partially due to injury?) so that could play into his contract decision.  I predict he signs with San Diego sometime in late January for the kind of contract that will be very close to what you have proposed.

Quote from ultratvfan on December 21, 2024, 1:07 pm

Long time Dback and Cardinal Paul Goldschmidt, 37,  signs with Yankees for 1-year, $12.5 million.

Quote from fenn68 on December 21, 2024, 3:50 pm

John Seidler To Take Over As Padres’ Control Person

Acee report ... no expected change in current operational strategy ... i.e. payroll above 2024 ($169MM) but under current estimate for 2025 ($210MM).

So same debate on which salaries get traded ... for whom ... and how to then fill a competitive roster.

If we generously split the difference down the middle and go to $189MM (up $20MM) then need to shed $21MM even if not adding anyone above league minimum.

That does not sound great for Arraez ($14.6MM), Cease ($13.7MM), Suarez ($10MM), and others plus a lot would have to move on to make room for Profar. Preller has a tough job with other GMs knowing he is needing to move players and likely will low ball offers.

Quote from fenn68 on December 21, 2024, 3:55 pm

Josh Naylor traded to Arizona ... Carlos Santana signed by Cleveland.

1B/DH market is shrinking with Alonso the big name still out there and he is seeking an AAV of $25MM and 5 years. That may be a bit steep even for the Mets. I guess that may make a market for Arraez (or Cronenworth) both lower cost options plus Arraez is only a one year commitment.

Quote from ultratvfan on December 21, 2024, 5:35 pm

Rickey Henderson, who had played for the Padres among other teams, widely considered to be the greatest leadoff hitter of all time and stolen base king has died. He was 65. He still holds the career SB record of all time(1,407), Single season SB record(130) and career leadoff HR(81) and career intentionial walks(2,129).

No one has ever come close to Rickey.

May he rest in peace.

Quote from ultratvfan on December 21, 2024, 5:49 pm

Quote from fenn68 on December 21, 2024, 3:55 pm

Josh Naylor traded to Arizona ... Carlos Santana signed by Cleveland.

1B/DH market is shrinking with Alonso the big name still out there and he is seeking an AAV of $25MM and 5 years. That may be a bit steep even for the Mets. I guess that may make a market for Arraez (or Cronenworth) both lower cost options plus Arraez is only a one year commitment.

Cleveland Indians, now Guardians, traded RHP Mike Clevinger, LF Greg Allen and Player To Be Named Later to San Diego Padres for C Austin Hedges, RHP Cal Quantrill, Josh Naylor, Gabriel Arias, Joey Cantillo and Owen Miller.

Quote from fenn68 on December 22, 2024, 8:11 am

The San Diego Padres signed Jose Espada to a minor-league deal this week, which includes an invite to spring training, according to MiLB Central.

Espada played one game with the Padres in 2023 before joining the Tokyo Yakult Swallows for the 2024 season in Nippon Professional Baseball.

He had some good MiL stats as a RP in the Padres system through 2023 before the Japan stint .... and was effective in Japan. Big K rate. Another RHRP in the mix that may support a deal of Suarez. Control is in question.

Quote from Randy Manese on December 22, 2024, 11:35 am

The pandemic year of 2020 is when the above trade with the then Indians occurred.  Padres had a a real shot at the playoffs/World Series but injuries took a toll on their starters and they desperately needed someone like Clevinger to get them there.  Unfortunately, after a few good outings, Clevinger got hurt and was never the same pitcher again.  It was thought the Indians pulled a real coup to get the players they did but with the trade of Naylor, only Arias and Cantillo remain with the team and are not front-line players (and as I said in a different post, despite the stats, Naylor is/was overrated).  For the Padres, the player to be named later turned out to be Waldron, who had his ups and downs in 2024.  Looking back 4 years and to the future, this still could be to the Padres advantage if Waldron finds the "good Waldron" consistently in 2025 and beyond; he is still relatively young.

On the other hand, the push for the playoffs had Preller make one of his worst trades, sending a lot of talent to Seattle for a pop-up inexperienced catcher Austin Nola and two RPs with limited credentials; none of them made noteworthy contributions to the post-season.  They were desperate for a catcher that could hit his weight and Nola looked promising but never reached the potential he flashed in limited action with Seattle in 2020.  Ty France gave Seattle several really good years but the steal of the deal for them was Andres Munoz, who was going to have to undergo TJ surgery.  Munoz is a star today and while France is a FA and could find his way back to SD, none of what the Padres acquired in this trade was worthwhile.  In retrospect, a real bust and fleecing by the Mariners.

Quote from ultratvfan on December 22, 2024, 2:09 pm

Marlins trade LHP starter Jesús Luzardo to the Phillies.

TRADE DETAILS
Phillies get: LHP Jesús Luzardo, Minor League C/OF Paul McIntosh
Marlins get: SS Starlyn Caba (PHI No. 4 prospect), OF Emaarion Boyd (PHI No. 23)