Quote from fenn68 on February 4, 2025, 12:28 pm

pick up the speculation ... BALT signed Ramon Laureano ... OF who had a very good 2024 as a part time player and has a good career ... don't yet know the price. RHH.

BALT did not really have a need for another OF ... so could signing him be a prelude to making a trade of an OF. Kjerstand (LHH) seems vunerable.

Basis for a Cease or Suarez deal? Baltimore wants (needs) pitching upgrades.

update: 1 year / $4MM.

Quote from fenn68 on February 4, 2025, 3:21 pm

Grichuk to AZ ... 1 year / $5MM.

Quote from BoosterSD on February 5, 2025, 11:39 am

MINN signs OFer Bader to a one year contract, could we see a Cease for Larnach based deal happen for SD in the near future???

Quote from fenn68 on February 5, 2025, 12:27 pm

Quote from BoosterSD on February 5, 2025, 11:39 am

MINN signs OFer Bader to a one year contract, could we see a Cease for Larnach based deal happen for SD in the near future???

Long shot unless it is a very complicated deal of multiple players. Bader is coming in as a 4th OF type (and at this point that is all he is). Larnach is ticketed for a starting role and a middle of the order bat.

However, Twins do have some very interesting prospects ... one LHH OF Rodriguez (a Top 50 MLB prospect) who could be ready in 2025 (but based on his 2024 not someone to rely upon) to replace Larnach (who has 3 years control) making the Twins side hard to assess.

Clearly they want to upgrade SP with Cease but also want to keep their offense in tact (has some other issues) and don't want to deal a top prospect. Also, no real quality SP to get in return even at the #3-4 level.

From a player to player and even up Larnach (3 years) for Cease (1 year) seem balanced. However, I would contend that both team would not necessarily be better ... especially the Padres with only King and Darvish established SP ... the ???????? That is not a recipe for a contender.

 

Quote from fenn68 on February 6, 2025, 11:11 am

Assuming no major trade(s) by the Padres except for a move to get under the CBT (so likely Suarez / Peralta).

Would that put Preller in the position to prioritize any flexibility under the CBT on a SP gamble? Guessing any SP gamble will cost more than minimum by a few million (even if laden with incentives).

So, still with needs in LF / DH does that put Preller in the mode of identifying some upgrades and only offering minor league deals / invite to ST / opt out if not added to the 26 man / a predetermined  salary if making the 26 man (e.g. $1MM plus incentives)? That makes no firm payroll commitments while giving the Padres ST to see if these old / injured / almost over the hill veterans actually have any value for 2025. Players may hold to the last minute hoping for some team to offer them a ML contract but as ST starts, knowing they do have something to prove, sort taking Preller's offer. Players and their agents know the Padres openings are there for the taking so Padres would be a great landing spot for those type of deals.

As it stand (thinking LF/DH/bench) only has rostered: Wade (L); Rosario; Lockridge; Ornelas (L). Non-roster contenders are Brosseau, Gonzales, Perlaza (#). Some room for upgrade with even fringe ML veteran FA even at (or near) league minimum ... and considering the Padres have to fill those slots under any circumstances with league minimum players ... a $1MM player really only "costs" $250K. Stock that fits.

For consideration ... two potential signings who may be there at $1MM ... David Peralta (L) and Manny Margot to be part-time. Peralta's history shows he hits RHP above average and Margot's history shows he hits LHP above average. A LF (or DH) platoon might create an above average combo.

Maybe make that net upgrade for an incremental $500K-$1.5MM ... considering the alternatives ... might be a good plan.

Quote from BoosterSD on February 6, 2025, 11:48 am

I did see a rumor that maybe Jason Heyward maybe an inexpensive OFer they are looking to sign cheap. Last years version of Peralta?

I do like the idea of Margot coming back; however, its seems that players that Preller trade away he doesnt not bring back. But guys he trades for he will bring back. So may lower the chances of Margot coming back.

Quote from fenn68 on February 6, 2025, 12:03 pm

Quote from BoosterSD on February 6, 2025, 11:48 am

I did see a rumor that maybe Jason Heyward maybe an inexpensive OFer they are looking to sign cheap. Last years version of Peralta?

I do like the idea of Margot coming back; however, its seems that players that Preller trade away he doesnt not bring back. But guys he trades for he will bring back. So may lower the chances of Margot coming back.

Think a much better chance of landing Peralta in the $1MM range than Hayward but even if they both came in the same ... I would opt for Peralta based on his potential offense contribution ... Hayward is all about defense but no hit.

You are right that Preller does not seem to want to bring back players he has traded ... so not optimistic on Margot. However, maybe if desperate given the lack of LF choices that hit LHP and come in cheap.

I guess the wild card is how Preller views (at least to see in ST) the value of Gonzales, Perlaza, Rosario, or Brosseau as a platoon option vs LHP. Could possible get back in a deal for Suarez / Peralta a serviceable LF platoon piece (doubt any chance of a "starter").

 

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 6, 2025, 1:25 pm

Quote from fenn68 on February 6, 2025, 11:11 am

Assuming no major trade(s) by the Padres except for a move to get under the CBT (so likely Suarez / Peralta).

Would that put Preller in the position to prioritize any flexibility under the CBT on a SP gamble? Guessing any SP gamble will cost more than minimum by a few million (even if laden with incentives).

So, still with needs in LF / DH does that put Preller in the mode of identifying some upgrades and only offering minor league deals / invite to ST / opt out if not added to the 26 man / a predetermined  salary if making the 26 man (e.g. $1MM plus incentives)? That makes no firm payroll commitments while giving the Padres ST to see if these old / injured / almost over the hill veterans actually have any value for 2025. Players may hold to the last minute hoping for some team to offer them a ML contract but as ST starts, knowing they do have something to prove, sort taking Preller's offer. Players and their agents know the Padres openings are there for the taking so Padres would be a great landing spot for those type of deals.

As it stand (thinking LF/DH/bench) only has rostered: Wade (L); Rosario; Lockridge; Ornelas (L). Non-roster contenders are Brosseau, Gonzales, Perlaza (#). Some room for upgrade with even fringe ML veteran FA even at (or near) league minimum ... and considering the Padres have to fill those slots under any circumstances with league minimum players ... a $1MM player really only "costs" $250K. Stock that fits.

For consideration ... two potential signings who may be there at $1MM ... David Peralta (L) and Manny Margot to be part-time. Peralta's history shows he hits RHP above average and Margot's history shows he hits LHP above average. A LF (or DH) platoon might create an above average combo.

Maybe make that net upgrade for an incremental $500K-$1.5MM ... considering the alternatives ... might be a good plan.

Don't forget Moises Gomez!

 

 

Quote from fenn68 on February 6, 2025, 3:27 pm

Looking at the minimum costs FA on the market (actually even some of the more pricey) they are all gambles based on their current profile ... so might Preller just gamble with what he has first in ST and be no worse?

Note that the roster only has 12 position players (once Sullivan is DFA with no options) ... need 13 so there will be a plus 1 in the mix. However, first consider what he has to gamble with for two starting roles ... LF and DH.

Rosario (25) ... out of minor league options ... primarily a 3B but could fill a DH roles. His history is one of really hitting LHP. His recent minor league stats (albeit in EP) are strong for OBP and SLG. Played winter ball in DR and 336/395/509 (905 OPS) ... yes winter ball stats are not indicative of ML ability ... but roll all that together and very likely he gets a long look and sticks on the 26 man. RHH side of a DH platoon?

Ornelas (24) ... always considered a real prospect noted for bat to ball skills (not power) and the current Padres preach that discipline ... had a good AAA season (864 OPS). LHH side of a LF platoon?

Lockridge (27) ... defense / speed but did have some good offensive stats in his minors (not a power guy).  RHH side of LF platoon?

Wade ... not in the mix to start anywhere ... can't hit but versatility as a PR and defensively in the OF/INF keeps him around especially since he may be first in as the emergency SS.

So if they gamble with them ... missing is a LHH DH ... does that sound like David Peralta's profile? or Perlaza (switch-hitter) coming back from Korea (good stats with power) and similar stateside stats in the minors.

Not the most exciting plan but could be the reality ... with any focus (and money) saved for SP depth gamble.