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2024-25 Offseason Talk
#381 · January 22, 2025, 6:58 am
Until we hear something different we likely see some real competition for the starting LF and starting DH plus bench roles.
I am think Wade (INF/OF) and Maldonado (bumps Sullivan) as near locks.
Lockridge has an inside track (OF) since can't think of a CF back-up plus a PR threat. Can't really hit so possible he is optioned and called up if Merrill is out for a long spell. A one day could be covered by Wade.
Those three certainly don't fit a LF or DH roles ... so what do we expect from:
- Ornelas (L) ... contact hitting prospect who had a decent season in AAA
- Gonzales ... former ML OF with CLEV who has one good season a few years back
- Perlaza (#) ... corner OF coming back from a good season in Korea but did not break the ML when in minors
- Brooks (L) ... 29 year old veteran minor league FA ... some success as a contract type hitter in the minors
- Rosario ... still young but out of minor league options, can support the INF and has shown glimpses of hitting LHP
Don't see much else internally. Can that group yield a decent LF and a decent 1B/DH so as not to embarrass the team? This is where I see the potential for a low cost ($1MMish) FA fitting the payroll but providing a significant upgrade out of the very large number of veteran bats still FA.
#382 · January 22, 2025, 7:05 am
Speaking for myself I really do not want to see 250+ Maldonado at bats
Rather have Sullivan or another young Catcher get them....depending on their defense of course but surely we have someone that can hit .200 behind the dish?
#383 · January 22, 2025, 7:30 am
Quote from MrPadre19 on January 22, 2025, 7:05 amSpeaking for myself I really do not want to see 250+ Maldonado at bats
Rather have Sullivan or another young Catcher get them....depending on their defense of course but surely we have someone that can hit .200 behind the dish?
Well Sullivan who turns 31 is neither a good hitter at the ML level (more a AAAA type) and not quality defensive C so even a sub-200 Maldonado ... given his defensive rep and veteran experience with pitching staffs is better. Keep in mind that Hedges keeps getting signed (for decent money) and flat out can't hit.
Outside chance ... IF he shows he can hit at all in AAA, Valenzuela who has defensive quality MIGHT get a call mid-season (for now the clear first up).
A fair chance Preller does adds another AAA catcher for the mix ... not many options even as FA at a low cost NOW but once we get to ST some of the "better" options may drop their demands. Would be surprised if they could find anyone via trade.
#384 · January 22, 2025, 10:30 am
I realize we don't have an All Star option but Maldonado's a .203 lifetime hitter with 3,500 AB's....Sullivan about the same but in only 97.
Think I'd rather just go with Sullivan.
Maldonado can mentor and help during ST but his defense can't still be at a level to cover his lack of offense at his age anymore
Guess we'll see
#385 · January 22, 2025, 11:02 am
Quote from MrPadre19 on January 22, 2025, 10:30 amI realize we don't have an All Star option but Maldonado's a .203 lifetime hitter with 3,500 AB's....Sullivan about the same but in only 97.
Think I'd rather just go with Sullivan.
Maldonado can mentor and help during ST but his defense can't still be at a level to cover his lack of offense at his age anymore
Guess we'll see
IF they fall through the market and can be signed cheaply ... have to consider McCann or McGuire, maybe Diaz ... really they are the best FA (discounting Grandal who will be higher priced).
None great hitters (but better than Maldonado / Sullivan) plus McGuire is decent defensively (and a LHH to complement Campusano).
#386 · January 22, 2025, 11:35 am
Spend the money on LF and SP and just start Campy/Sullivan is my preference.
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#387 · January 22, 2025, 12:02 pm
AJP should re-sign 34 y.o. C Elias Diaz, who has much better numbers than both Sullivan, 30, and Moldonado, 38.
#388 · January 22, 2025, 3:43 pm
Quote from fenn68 on January 22, 2025, 11:02 amQuote from MrPadre19 on January 22, 2025, 10:30 amI realize we don't have an All Star option but Maldonado's a .203 lifetime hitter with 3,500 AB's....Sullivan about the same but in only 97.
Think I'd rather just go with Sullivan.
Maldonado can mentor and help during ST but his defense can't still be at a level to cover his lack of offense at his age anymore
Guess we'll see
IF they fall through the market and can be signed cheaply ... have to consider McCann or McGuire, maybe Diaz ... really they are the best FA (discounting Grandal who will be higher priced).
None great hitters (but better than Maldonado / Sullivan) plus McGuire is decent defensively (and a LHH to complement Campusano).
Well McGuire just signs a MINOR LEAGUE contract with the Cubs. Makes me scratch my head on the Padres not going for him ... the Cubs have two ML catchers that will keep him in the minors baring injury. If he signed with the Padres a good chance he beats out Sullivan and Maldonado and is in the majors.
That combo suggests that the Padres are content with what they have OR the flexibility the ownership has given Preller is very very limited.
#389 · January 22, 2025, 7:38 pm
The Minnesota Twins and San Diego Padres have spoken about a potential trade that would send veteran catcher Christian Vázquez to San Diego, league sources told The Athletic. No deal was considered imminent Wednesday, but there appeared to be motivation on both sides to continue talking.
The Padres are seeking a new primary catcher, and the list of free-agent options has dwindled. The Twins, meanwhile, would like to reallocate resources and are among the teams with interest in San Diego’s top starting pitcher, Dylan Cease, according to league sources.
The Padres would like to keep Cease, but some rival officials believe president of baseball operations A.J. Preller ultimately will have little choice but to move the pending free agent and his $13.75 million salary.
Beyond Vázquez, the Twins are among multiple teams that have expressed interest in acquiring Cease, who has a pair of top-four Cy Young Award finishes in the past three seasons. The right-hander would provide a good Twins rotation with an outstanding, if short-term, upgrade. But the sides might not find common ground on a package. The Twins would prefer to provide a value-laden package to replenish the Padres’ depth as opposed to the higher-upside talent Preller likes to hunt.
#390 · January 23, 2025, 5:01 am
Sure doesn't help our position if every GM knows we gotta cut payroll.
I'd much rather trade Suarez and/or Arraez than Cease.
We can cover Suarez with guys we already have and while Arraez's bat will be missed he's basically just a DH.
Sign a guy like Justin Turner for 1 season instead......or similar lower cost option and trade Arraez for Profar $