Quote from Randy Manese on August 30, 2024, 8:28 am

Morejon has started to get hit harder lately - HR, 2 doubles, a triple - in his last 3 appearances.  Even though he's still getting the K's, might be losing a little bit off his knuckle-curve or FB that is causing this uptick in opposing batter success.  Might be time to sit him down for a bit and bring back Peralta.

If team believes we are going to make use of Diaz, might also be the time to sit Campusano and give Diaz some time to work with the staff.  Don't think we can afford to keep 3 catchers with Kim and Tatis coming back on the position player side but it could work if the objective is to give the infield regulars more time off their feet by putting Campy at 1b/RH PH off the bench, providing he shows he still has some impact in his bat.  Johnson and McCoy likely being sent down when Kim and Tatis come back, although not sure if either have options left and might have to be DFA'd.

Quote from fenn68 on August 30, 2024, 11:07 am

Quote from Randy Manese on August 30, 2024, 8:28 am

Morejon has started to get hit harder lately - HR, 2 doubles, a triple - in his last 3 appearances.  Even though he's still getting the K's, might be losing a little bit off his knuckle-curve or FB that is causing this uptick in opposing batter success.  Might be time to sit him down for a bit and bring back Peralta.

If team believes we are going to make use of Diaz, might also be the time to sit Campusano and give Diaz some time to work with the staff.  Don't think we can afford to keep 3 catchers with Kim and Tatis coming back on the position player side but it could work if the objective is to give the infield regulars more time off their feet by putting Campy at 1b/RH PH off the bench, providing he shows he still has some impact in his bat.  Johnson and McCoy likely being sent down when Kim and Tatis come back, although not sure if either have options left and might have to be DFA'd.

Morejon at 61 innings (ML/MiL) this season … 38.1 (2023), 47.1 (2022), 4.2 (2021), and 19.1 (2020). Past riddled with injuries but still even now healthy … not a track record of endurance… might just be running out of gas. Peralta should be up soon to reduce his workload … maybe lighter workload will allow him to rebound to his earlier form.

Barring injury to Higashioka or Campy don’t see Diaz added unless they bite the bullet and option Campusano … since Solano and Peralta are not being DFA adding Kim and Tatis will already require a move off the 26 man of one of Johnson, McCoy, or Wade … add Diaz and then two of them. That could create some backup shortage for CF / SS. Solano / Peralta would still be the key subs.

Although I like Diaz (especially his defense vs Campusano) … would have been more comfortable mid-season … just not sure his impact this late (primarily his meshing with the pitchers) but also how the team reacts to demoting Campusano after a season of being a key team member. Are they really going to get the upside change they seek?

Quote from fenn68 on August 30, 2024, 11:20 am

Note that McCoy has 3 option years but Wade has none (would be DFA). Johnson and Campusano have 1 option year.

Obviously make the moves that best help 2024 but if the decision is a “toss up” might consider who may also be a factor for 2025 (Padres at this point are thin in position players returning). Also if both Tatis and Diaz are added … two have to come off the 40 man (not necessarily the same as who is off the 26 man) … and that may target players that will be out of minor league options in 2025 with a low chance of making the 2025 26 man and little trade value. Azocar and Gillespie?

Quote from 3fingersplit on August 30, 2024, 12:25 pm

Diaz would get up to speed very quickly and would be no different than when Gary Sanchez was here...the guy is a professional and typical Colorado just let him go. I hate the fact that Tyler Wade, who has done a great job for this team in 2024, will get the ax because of the numbers game. He has been a great team player and has done all the little things that never show up in a box score and IF the Padres get to the post season and the World Series I would certainly hope the players remember his contributions to the success of this team in 2024.

Quote from fenn68 on August 30, 2024, 1:18 pm

I keep going back and forth on what works for the team. When both Kim and Tatis are added … leaning towards McCoy being optioned. If they add Diaz … for defense, pinch running, versatility would not want to move Wade or Johnson off the 26 man … so maybe leaning to optioning Campusano … no need for a 3rd catcher (especially with all the off days) and with both Solano and Peralta on the bench that will cover any PH/DH/1B substitute needs. They will need AB to keep sharp.

Optioning Campusano for Diaz would be a tough call for Preller.

Quote from Randy Manese on August 30, 2024, 1:40 pm

If I follow the above correctly and given the ability to add 1 pitcher and 1 position player on 1 September, it seems to me the closest to be ready to fill those roles are Wandy Peralta and Elias Diaz; Wandy just had his re-hab location moved to San Antonio, so he'll likely get one other pitching assignment before being considered for restoration to the active roster.  If all goes well in San Antonio, see him as a lock for this spot.  For them to come up, no one has to be sent down due to roster expansion. Correction!  Diaz not on 40 man, so we need to open a spot for him.  Since I DFA Azocar later in this post, let's say Gillaspie is the one that is DFA'd for this exercise to allow Diaz to be rostered on 1 Sept.

If Kim follows shortly thereafter, I can see McCoy being optioned out; no impact on the current roster construction.  Then when Tatis is ready, you need both a 40 man slot to open and someone to demote from the 28 man roster.  I don't see Azocar ever coming back (Johnson, Ornelas and even Mitchell are likely ahead of him), so he is the one to be DFA'd, while Johnson is optioned out.  Lastly, when Darvish comes back, it looks like either Reynolds or Vasquez will be optioned out.  Another alternative depending upon how Waldron has done in his time off the roster to correct his recent flaws, it could be that both Reynolds and Vasquez could go down and Waldron be back as another long man to pair with either Darvish or Perez, as necessary, in support of Hoeing.  Might give us more options to set the post-season pitching rotation once we nail that down.

So in my scenario, we do get to keep Wade as a Swiss-knife utility player, pinch runner and possibly a LH PH off the bench since David Peralta would be the only other option when Arraez is in the line-up.  I don't have Campy or Morejon optioned out or put on the IL, but it could happen to either.  As far as team reaction to Campy going down, I think the veterans on the team (he played last year with Profar) also have a great deal of respect for Diaz (and, in fact, Campy would too) so I don't see this as a negative.  This team wants to win badly and if Diaz gives us a boost that Campy has not done lately, it is just another temporary patch that Preller has been able to work onto the team to increase their chances of getting to and succeeding in the playoff; Campy is not going anywhere else permanently.

Quote from fenn68 on August 31, 2024, 2:39 am

Peralta pitched an inning yesterday (no runs) for SA … so should be SEP 1 pitching add.

Darvish made a 66 pitch “controlled” start in AZ and seems headed for one rehab in about 5 days. That should put him on track to be activated on the road vs Seattle Sep 11-12. The way the current pitchers are going … Estrada or Vasquez could be the player optioned. Reynolds looks to have firmed up his position on the active roster.

The report on Tatis and Kim seems to indicate neither will be ready for the SEP 1 add with some of the media suggesting Diaz is the best bet for a SEP 1 add. Need a 40 man slot and that COULD be Kolek to the 60 day IL.

That pushes off the active roster moves (and one 40 man move) until Darvish, Tatis, and Kim are activated. Gives time for a position player (or two) injury to make room. In the past 30 days … McCoy, Campusano, and Wade have not been productive offensively.

Quote from fenn68 on August 31, 2024, 2:57 am

Without the spotlight … the best offensive player in the past 30 days has been … David Peralta (OPS over 1.000), just ahead of Merrill. If you also consider the Solano has also been well above average … that is remarkable production out of two veterans who no one wanted to sign last winter. Preller signed both the minor league deals and from what I can tell being paid league minimum.

Add the greater than expected production from Profar, Higashioka, and Merrill before the season …  and have to give credit to Preller (with some good fortune) for assembling 5 critical players to the 2024 success for about $7MM (while mandated to reduce payroll by $100MM).

Quote from Jeremy Hill on August 31, 2024, 7:24 pm

Acee says Wandy Peralta and Elias Diaz will be added tomorrow. He also says Tatis is expected back at some point during the upcoming homestand. Interestingly he also brought up Brandon Lockridge as a candidate to be added later in the month. His speed and glove could make him a valuable specialist come playoff time.