Quote from 3fingersplit on February 13, 2025, 11:59 am

Going into the season I think the Padres are actually in a great position…the dodgers are the dodgers but they know they can’t take our Padres lightly. The NL West is going to be must see baseball…Dodgers, Padres is a great rivalry and the Giants and DBACKS can ruin anybody’s day and then you throw in the Rockies that aren’t good on paper but they also have their moments and win games they have no business winning. I like the fact that my wife is a huge baseball fan and she loves road trips and we’ve done every park in the NL West so it’s road trips again this season…Chicago, St Louis, Milwaukee and Atlanta

Go Padres!!!

Quote from Alex Tamayo on February 13, 2025, 1:42 pm

Almost as soon as MLB owners approved the John Seidler as the team's control person, the team has added a few players, so, I guess, AJ was just waiting until then to be more active finishing the roster.

Quote from fenn68 on February 13, 2025, 5:13 pm

Quote from Alex Tamayo on February 13, 2025, 1:42 pm

Almost as soon as MLB owners approved the John Seidler as the team's control person, the team has added a few players, so, I guess, AJ was just waiting until then to be more active finishing the roster.

That and the start of ST tends to get players to lower their demands and get in camp rather than risk not being signed or not getting fully ready for the season.

Did hear Preller answer a question about John Seider with the comment that he has only met him a couple of times and hopes to see more of him. Made it sound as though all he is (has been) pretty tunneled into just the baseball operations part of the business and to a degree worked with the former control guy (but not much other than some overarch direction like budget).

Other than budget constraints and maybe some other business issues ... getting the feeling that baseball operations is all in Preller's hands and the "control person" is mainly there to deal with team - league issues (like CBT, etc).

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 14, 2025, 6:10 am

IMO the #5 SP is the new Lefty Harts' job to lose.

Obviously anything can happen in regards to injuries and effectiveness in ST,but my complete guess is all things equal AJ would prefer a lefty in the rotation.....for many reasons if not specifically for the dodgers.

Signed a major league deal......the other guys have all been to EP.

At least we have some good,and interesting, options and it's "currently" for the #5 spot.....and not the 4th any longer.

Much better depth for the rotation

 

Quote from fenn68 on February 14, 2025, 7:43 am

Hart - Waldron - Vasquez battling for the #5 slot out of spring training ... only one gets that out of ST.

What happens to the other two? AAA (all have options) or to the pen for long relief / spot start? If the pen, that is already crowded (most can be optioned). If they don't trade Suarez and/or Peralta ... who gets bumped to the minors? Getting very likely that Rule 5 Nunez is returned (or to the IL).

Nice problem given this is the end of the SP and RP options and we are not worried at the top ends.

Quote from 3fingersplit on February 14, 2025, 10:36 am

I've said it many times before and I'll say it again...You can never have too much pitching so DON"T trade away your pitching.

AJ did a great job in getting Pivetta, I think he will be a perfect complement to this starting rotation and Hart (KBO) could be very similar to Nick Martinez who came back from pitching overseas (Japan) and was able to start, long relief, set up and close and a couple of guys that seem to be under the radar that could turn into a starting pitcher...Stephen Kolek and Bryan Hoeing along with Ryan Berget...you just never know and wouldn't it be great if any of these three put it all together as starters. The last one I would mention is Adrian Morejon...he is a very valuable part of the bullpen but this kid is a horse and I could see him making the transition from the bullpen to starting...Spring training should be fun to watch.

I get it...some of these guys are in their last year of their contract but you have to at least start the season with your starting rotation intact and see how it plays out because you aren't going to get back the quality of a Dylan Cease or Michael King at the deadline. Being out of contention is one thing but this team will be in it for all 162 games and if you did end up having to trade one or both...DO NOT trade them to a National League team that you might be fighting for a playoff spot against or even worse...having to face a Dylan Cease or Michael King in the NL playoffs...World Series is a different story against a team from the AL.

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 14, 2025, 12:51 pm

I agree with the premise you can never have too much pitching but in our case,this year,I'd like to see Peralta moved even if we kick in some $,maybe move 60% of his salary and put Cosgrove in his place.

I feel more comfortable with Cosgrove even if both made the same $.

I would also have no issue if they get an offer they like for Suarez....also OK with keeping him but if AJ gets something he likes and it helps the teams bottom line and/or ability to add at the deadline..... I'm all for it.The Bullpen is where our depth is right now.....use it if you can.

 

Quote from 3fingersplit on February 14, 2025, 2:25 pm

I agree with that...the bullpen pieces are easier to replace or even by committee so I guess I should have been more specific...DON'T trade starters. Suarez is very good but I think there are guys that could pick up the slack and if you could get an actual MLB bat in a trade...Torkelson from Detroit seems to be available and in a way, he reminds me of Anthony Rizzo brought up to soon and never really got his head wrapped around playing at the MLB level and gets dealt very early on and he ended up having a very good MLB career. Torkelson had a monster 2023 with 31 HR but a .233 BA and 171 Ks and last year he was a mess and was on the constant shuttle between Detroit and AAA. Young guy (25 years old, 1st overall pick in 2020) that doesn't reach Free Agency until 2029, Arbitration eligible in 2026 and I'm pretty sure he still has options left, plays a very decent 1B (350 games / 3000 innings at 1B with a .994 fielding percentage and has right handed power that would mean a lot of broken windows in the Western Metals Building. Detroit seems to be open to a trade but AJ may be looking for a left handed thumper that has more defensive versatility. This seems like a guy that AJ would go after...big upside/power, controllable for 4-5 years, solid defensive 1B but I doubt either side would do a straight up 1 for 1 swap.

Here is his stat line

Spencer Torkelson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More | Baseball-Reference.com

Quote from fenn68 on February 14, 2025, 3:34 pm

MLBTradeRumors is reporting that Preller is still looking to add a bat ... does make some sense but what that hitter looks like is up in the air. Given the most recent reporting ... Padres are aiming to use Arreaz a 1B (probably makes Arraez happy). With Heyward / Joe then ticketed to platoon then either in LF or at DH ... the field of options for another bat is wide open. Also should consider Shildt likes to "rest" regulars in the DH role as the season goes on ... the idea of a more versatile defensively bat may be the target (not necessary easy to find).

With Arraez, Merrill, Cronenworth, and Heyward all LHH starting vs RHP ... not sure another LHH is really needed in a starting DH/LF role. I would be more inclined for a RHH to offset those 4 LHH already in the line-up vs RHP but vs. LHP provide a stronger offense even after sitting Heyward for Joe. Only get one ... needs to be good ... but somewhat favor a RHH.

However, baring a trade ... FA options of quality are limited at this point and more DH oriented. See who really drops their ask. Trade could  be tricky ... getting a "starter type" from a team that is a contender for even someone like Suarez just is a deal hard to make. A non-contender probably is not interested in Suarez. The Torkelson deal does seem to make sense lacking better options. Not sure who is seeking a "closer" type at this point and who has a "starter" type bat to give up.

A ST injury may change the landscape on a buyer ... but the Padres may try to finesse a strong prospect and gamble on ML ready quality. I no doubt will get surprised ... but still think BALT has ML ready talent in depth and seem to be bypassing Kjerstad (LHH OF) or BALT (maybe Abreu LHH OF new with the extra bat in Bergman and some hot prospects). If can't get my RHH a good LHH will do. Might not be a one for one but either of them could fill DH or LF/RF/emergency CF as needed. Actually would not be crushed if the just resign Peralta (LHH) to platoon with Rosario (RHH) at DH. That would be a "cheap" option and allows them to keep Suarez and an even stronger pen. Maybe the threshold is finding some so much better than David Peralta that is worth the loss of Suarez.

If Preller is looking ... he usually finds ... so, should be interesting.