Quote from fenn68 on April 14, 2024, 6:45 am

Something to tuck in the back of our minds as the season progresses for Merrill …

Merrill is a candidate for NL ROY and since he was a Top 100 prospect and started the season in the ML (earn a full year service time) … if he wins he could earn the Padres a bonus draft pick in 2025 at the end of the first round.

Long way to go … and potentially quite a few quality prospects who will contend for NL ROY so not going to be easy. Baseball writers vote at the end of the regular season. (Side note: a player can get ROY and not qualify for the bonus pick award for his team, so the pool of options is deeper).

 

Quote from MrPadre19 on April 14, 2024, 10:10 am

So there are two reasons to root for Yamamoto to get hit hard every game now.

Quote from Randy Manese on April 15, 2024, 3:13 am

Heading into Milwaukee to see the #2 ranked Jackson by MLB Pipeline - Jackson Chourio.  Chourio is a completely different hitter than Merrill, looking more like a young Ronald Acuna with huge projected power and great speed.  What he doesn't have is a great hit tool, so this probably accounts for our Jackson getting out of the box much faster than Milwaukee's.   Hope our Jackson continues to show he's deserving of more than the #12 ranking MLB Pipeline gave him.

We don't see the #1 ranked Jackson - Holliday - until after the All-Star break and also on the road.  So far it's been a rough start for this Jackson, 9 K's in 15 Plate Appearances, but I'm sure his natural talent will kick in soon.

Quote from Jeremy Hill on April 15, 2024, 2:14 pm

I like this move. I think he's an underrated hitter. Not much power or speed, but he's a good contact/on base guy with even splits. He should be a solid utility guy and upgrade over Wade.

https://twitter.com/sdutKevinAcee/status/1779974316186108184

Quote from fenn68 on April 15, 2024, 2:45 pm

Quote from Jeremy Hill on April 15, 2024, 2:14 pm

I like this move. I think he's an underrated hitter. Not much power or speed, but he's a good contact/on base guy with even splits. He should be a solid utility guy and upgrade over Wade.

https://twitter.com/sdutKevinAcee/status/1779974316186108184

Like the move too. Bit surprised he had not been signed sooner. Yes, 36 and really not much of a fielder at this stage but can hit. Has had a wRC+ of 100 or greater in the last five seasons ... last year in MINN he had 450 PA with a slash line of 282/369/391 (116 wRC+). Seems to be the kind of guy you want coming off the bench ... RHH.

I think they hold on to Wade (LHH who can play SS and the OF) ... more likely IF Solano is added to the roster (their is a 40 man slot) we see Rosario (RHH) or Sullivan (LHH, 3rd C) sent down ... both have minor league options. IF Solano can deliver his 2023 slash line might see him a lot at DH.

Will be interesting if he makes the 26 man (think he will) what he got as a contract (ML portion) with limited payroll space.

Quote from fenn68 on April 16, 2024, 4:36 pm

No word yet on Solano’s contract.

Just as a reference point, Pham also got a ML/MiL deal that pays $3.0MM base plus $1.5MM incentives starting when added to the ML roster.

If Solano got something similar … the $3.0MM (pro-rated for ML time) will hit CBT BUT Padres would have to keep space initially in case he is earning the incentives … so think $4.5MM.

Note: Profar deal also had incentives … looking as though he is earning them … a case for not ignoring them if staying under the CBT is a priority.

Quote from fenn68 on April 16, 2024, 4:51 pm

Guessing the Solano signing may shut the door on rumors on Belt … not much left under the CBT and too early in the season to drain the cushion.

Belt is just not getting any interest from anyone. He says he is not retiring and only seeks a guaranteed contract (interpret that as not incentive based). No speculation on the guaranteed level sought.

Although still delivered some impressive stats in 2023 vs RHP … maybe some issues:

1. Was terrible vs LHP (and played little) … so just a part time LHH DH

2. K% was around 35% … not good

3. Missed time with back and leg injuries … at 36 worrisome given history of knee problems

So he is now pretty much a niche player … aging … injury prone and seeking a guaranteed contract w/o incentives.

He may sign somewhere but he may have to compromise with a lower base supported by incentives based on PA to protect the team agains injuries.

Would not rule out the Padres but not likely as they more likely look to Pauley first if they need a LHH DH.

Quote from fenn68 on April 17, 2024, 3:28 am

Avila is being traded to Cleveland … no report on the return yet but at best a fringe minor league prospect (non-roster type).

Quote from WindsorUK on April 17, 2024, 8:03 am

Good they got something for Avila.

Shame it wasn't to DC for Hassell.