Quote from ultratvfan on February 6, 2025, 4:38 pm

Pete Alonso re-signs with Mets for 2 years $54 million.

Quote from WindsorUK on February 6, 2025, 4:56 pm

Quote from ultratvfan on February 6, 2025, 4:34 pm

MLB Owners approve of John Seidler as Padres' new control person

Major League Baseball owners unanimously voted to approve John Seidler as the San Diego Padres' new control person at the owners meetings in Palm Beach, Florida, on Thursday, commissioner Rob Manfred told reporters.

Seidler will take over for his younger brother, Peter Seidler, the late Padres owner who died in November 2023, making him the ultimate decision-maker for the franchise. John Seidler will formally step into the role once he becomes the trustee of Peter Seidler's trust. That is expected to take place in the next month.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/43719785/mlb-owners-approve-john-seidler-padres-new-control-person

 

The whole timing of this thing feels off, doesn't it?  Why do this in the middle of FA, when players are deciding where to move?

And does anyone believe Sheel Seidler's story? I don't know enough of her involvement with the organization to have an opinion but has she been involved?

There must be something more to this, right? Or is it just an old fashioned money grab?

Quote from fenn68 on February 6, 2025, 5:40 pm

Quote from WindsorUK on February 6, 2025, 4:56 pm

Quote from ultratvfan on February 6, 2025, 4:34 pm

MLB Owners approve of John Seidler as Padres' new control person

Major League Baseball owners unanimously voted to approve John Seidler as the San Diego Padres' new control person at the owners meetings in Palm Beach, Florida, on Thursday, commissioner Rob Manfred told reporters.

Seidler will take over for his younger brother, Peter Seidler, the late Padres owner who died in November 2023, making him the ultimate decision-maker for the franchise. John Seidler will formally step into the role once he becomes the trustee of Peter Seidler's trust. That is expected to take place in the next month.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/43719785/mlb-owners-approve-john-seidler-padres-new-control-person

 

The whole timing of this thing feels off, doesn't it?  Why do this in the middle of FA, when players are deciding where to move?

And does anyone believe Sheel Seidler's story? I don't know enough of her involvement with the organization to have an opinion but has she been involved?

There must be something more to this, right? Or is it just an old fashioned money grab?

Isn't it always money in these disputes?

I would be surprised if Peter and his bothers did not have all this locked down given their high level business background.

Not sure what Sheel Siedler has that would over turn what appears to be documented ... but just having the legal dispute "might" inhibit any major moves. Also, not sure how much of the issue is managing the trust vs managing the Padres ... really two issues.

Having said that ... think what we are seeing now is the product of the Siedler brothers strategy of managing the team (along with the other owners) and the trust (as trustees). Remember (I think) the "trust" only owns about 20% of the Padres ... there are other owners who have to buy into any financial strategies. However, the "trust" management has a more direct impact on Sheel (and her kids). So a bit unclear as to the target of the dispute.

Not sure on this part but in the big spending year I have heard that Peter Siedler move $50MM from the trust and borrowed $50MM. The subsequent drop of $100MM in payroll last year to a degree reflected not being able to repeat those infusions of cash plus the need to pay back the loan. That may have opened a dispute surrounding the Padres returning the $50MM to the trust. If Sheel wants the "trust" whole and is upset with the brothers not cooperating, could be a contributing factor in the dispute.

This likely will go on for some time.

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 7, 2025, 5:44 am

In my opinion Luis Arraez is the LH DH option.

I suspect a RH hitting 1B option to be added.

 

Quote from fenn68 on February 7, 2025, 6:39 am

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 7, 2025, 5:44 am

In my opinion Luis Arraez is the LH DH option.

I suspect a RH hitting 1B option to be added.

 

Based on his defense most (and I) would agree that Arraez should not be at 1B. However, good chance Preller may ... to construct the best overall offense ... be forced to deploy him at 1B (maybe full time, maybe in a platoon).

Looking at at the 1B who may be signed at minimum cost ... none are projected to be impact hitters and many are also poor defense. A lot in the 0 to o.5 WAR types. Preller may see better value in signing a better bat out of the OF/INF ranks and taking the downside of Arraez defense at 1B.

I am moving to the idea that platoons in LF and DH ... utilizing complementary skills ... can be a strategy that provides the best offense boost with the least incremental cost.

I guess the one hedge is if Preller swings a trade (e.g. Suarez) and gets back a full-time starter be it LF or 1B or DH allowing for some other player juggling.

Quote from fenn68 on February 7, 2025, 6:48 am

Since I think the Padres can do enough patchwork at minimum cost to make the offense strong enough for playoff contention ... think the focus needs to be on SP support (think a legit bottom of the rotation quality)

A SP will be injured during the season and as of now the starting 5 is King, Cease, Darvish, Vasquez, and Waldron ... so who steps in as the #6 and #7 SP that can even optimistically be projected as quality #5 SP in the ML

Moreno has been told he will remain the pen ... Hoeing and Kolek have been mentioned but the were moved from starting in the minors to be RP ... no idea what to make of Brito ... totally unproved are Baez, Bergert, O.Cruz. That mix may not even be good enough to cover Vasquez or Waldron let alone one of the Top 3.

Not going to find anyone of quality at minimum ... so any payroll flexibility needs to be focused on SP.

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 7, 2025, 11:08 am

I still believe one of Suarez/Cease are traded.

Bringing back a young lf/1B bat in the deal.

But who really knows?

 

 

 

Quote from fenn68 on February 7, 2025, 11:23 am

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 7, 2025, 11:08 am

I still believe one of Suarez/Cease are traded.

Bringing back a young lf/1B bat in the deal.

But who really knows?

 

 

 

Agree if for no other reason than to get under the CBT ... and Suarez would be my bet since some demand (don't expect a big return) and could be covered. So maybe a 1B like Torkelson (maybe some others in the deal going both ways).

At this stage, if they trade Cease I would believe the Padres are out of playoff contention ... so guessing no trade unless money is a bigger factor. Padres are not getting a quality pitcher for 2025 in return ... they already are short of SP ... FA market of even marginal SP is costly.

The pessimist in me thinks if they trade Cease ... might as well go whole hog and trade King, Arraez, Suarez, and Peralta all of whom can be FA after the season and gather a massive haul of prospects for the 2028 Padres' playoff run.

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 7, 2025, 11:48 am

I'd like to see Suarez and Peralta traded.We have young arms ready to go in the BP to cover.

Suarez for Tork was one of my earlier suggestions.