Quote from fenn68 on January 22, 2026, 5:04 pm

Quote from WindsorUK on January 22, 2026, 3:00 pm

Anyone up for running out Arraez again?

Personally, I'm hoping AJ finds a better option both in the field and the thump but he does get lots of hits and doesn't K much( not totally rotten skills).

Has anyone shown any interest in Luis this off season?

 

Would not rule out Arraez returning ... hearing nothing on any team interested in him or what his agent is holding out for.

At a basic level it may come down to alternatives that are willing to sign with the Padres and the comparative contracts.

Was not a fan of Arraez last season ... production did not match his cost. However, at a lower price point maybe. Arraez clearly liked SD ... if little interest by other teams a creative contract with a low base, incentives, opt outs might work. Not as though any internal options coming soon.

Personally I though he was misplaced as the #2 hitter (not sure if that was a call by Shildt or the front office). His best work in prior years was as a lead-off hitter ... better average / OBP. I understand the logic of Tatis leading off (at least the theory) but the offense may make better use of Tatis' skills (and power) in the middle of the line-up ... even batting 2nd behind Arraez and ahead of Merrill and Machado.

 

Quote from MrPadre19 on January 23, 2026, 6:13 am

Quote from fenn68 on January 22, 2026, 5:04 pm

Quote from WindsorUK on January 22, 2026, 3:00 pm

Anyone up for running out Arraez again?

Personally, I'm hoping AJ finds a better option both in the field and the thump but he does get lots of hits and doesn't K much( not totally rotten skills).

Has anyone shown any interest in Luis this off season?

 

Would not rule out Arraez returning ... hearing nothing on any team interested in him or what his agent is holding out for.

At a basic level it may come down to alternatives that are willing to sign with the Padres and the comparative contracts.

Was not a fan of Arraez last season ... production did not match his cost. However, at a lower price point maybe. Arraez clearly liked SD ... if little interest by other teams a creative contract with a low base, incentives, opt outs might work. Not as though any internal options coming soon.

Personally I though he was misplaced as the #2 hitter (not sure if that was a call by Shildt or the front office). His best work in prior years was as a lead-off hitter ... better average / OBP. I understand the logic of Tatis leading off (at least the theory) but the offense may make better use of Tatis' skills (and power) in the middle of the line-up ... even batting 2nd behind Arraez and ahead of Merrill and Machado.

 

2/$12 and hit him 8th or 9th and for Gwynns' sake someone try to get him to take balls when he gets 2 strikes instead of fouling off five balls in a row before popping out to LF.

A guy who's almost impossible to K should be walking 40-50 more times in a season

DH/1B and an emergency 2B I guess

Quote from fenn68 on January 23, 2026, 7:00 am

Quote from MrPadre19 on January 23, 2026, 6:13 am

Quote from fenn68 on January 22, 2026, 5:04 pm

Quote from WindsorUK on January 22, 2026, 3:00 pm

Anyone up for running out Arraez again?

Personally, I'm hoping AJ finds a better option both in the field and the thump but he does get lots of hits and doesn't K much( not totally rotten skills).

Has anyone shown any interest in Luis this off season?

 

Would not rule out Arraez returning ... hearing nothing on any team interested in him or what his agent is holding out for.

At a basic level it may come down to alternatives that are willing to sign with the Padres and the comparative contracts.

Was not a fan of Arraez last season ... production did not match his cost. However, at a lower price point maybe. Arraez clearly liked SD ... if little interest by other teams a creative contract with a low base, incentives, opt outs might work. Not as though any internal options coming soon.

Personally I though he was misplaced as the #2 hitter (not sure if that was a call by Shildt or the front office). His best work in prior years was as a lead-off hitter ... better average / OBP. I understand the logic of Tatis leading off (at least the theory) but the offense may make better use of Tatis' skills (and power) in the middle of the line-up ... even batting 2nd behind Arraez and ahead of Merrill and Machado.

 

2/$12 and hit him 8th or 9th and for Gwynns' sake someone try to get him to take balls when he gets 2 strikes instead of fouling off five balls in a row before popping out to LF.

A guy who's almost impossible to K should be walking 40-50 more times in a season

DH/1B and an emergency 2B I guess

Did note that early in his career ... with MINN ... Arraez did walk more (and struck out more) but ended up with a better OBP. Somewhat aligned with his move to MIA his walk rate really dropped and so did his strikeout rate but his OBP went up (way up) ... delivering maybe his best season. Causes? different league, different parks, different coaches?

In SD last season both walks / strikeouts are around the MIA level but BA went down and so OBP dropped. Is that a function of PETCO or is it related to batting 2nd or is he just getting old?

Tough analysis for any team's evaluators. Not a real power threat (although more extra base hit would be nice and in the past that was part of his arsenal) ... the real key is getting his OBP back up to his past ... maybe via BA ... maybe via BB. Which ever works works for me. I guess have to factor in how (if at all) the new automated ball/strike may impact his approach.

If they can get his OBP back over .350 (note .393 in MIA 2023) he should be lead-off ahead of Tatis, Merrill, and Machado. Actually if he can produce a strong OBP vs the other options still should lead-off.

Yeh, $12MM/2 years would work ... maybe $4MM in 2026 and $8MM in 2027? Toss an incentive for a batting title, All-Star appearance, Top 10 in MVP voting.

Alternatives who might come to SD ... and money involved sort of puts this on hold until Preller sees Arraez as the better option. So probably not an early move.

Quote from BoosterSD on January 23, 2026, 12:26 pm

Speaking of MIN, I wonder if there is a deal of back up Cs to be made.

MIN has Jeffers as the main C, and signed Caratini as a back up, and they also have Alex Jackson (born in SD) as well. Im thinking a Campusano/Matsui for Jackson and a MiL prospect. Jackson is probably a better defensive C that Campusano and making about the same money. Including Matsui would provide SD some salary relief and MIN is still reportedly interested in late inning relievers.

Not a needle mover, but would provide SD with a nice back up to Fermin.

Quote from fenn68 on January 23, 2026, 1:58 pm

Quote from BoosterSD on January 23, 2026, 12:26 pm

Speaking of MIN, I wonder if there is a deal of back up Cs to be made.

MIN has Jeffers as the main C, and signed Caratini as a back up, and they also have Alex Jackson (born in SD) as well. Im thinking a Campusano/Matsui for Jackson and a MiL prospect. Jackson is probably a better defensive C that Campusano and making about the same money. Including Matsui would provide SD some salary relief and MIN is still reportedly interested in late inning relievers.

Not a needle mover, but would provide SD with a nice back up to Fermin.

Jackson is a fine defensive catcher but (other than last season) cannot hit ... seasons under a 50 wRC+. Not sure that Blake Hunt (on minor league deal at EP) can't deliver the same outcome. OK with dealing Campusano and/or Matsui but need a better return (or a clear replacement in hand).

As it stands, Campusano has the inside track for RHH DH (not just #2 C) and Matsui ... even with his struggles ... had a 3.98 ERA and that is decent for a LHRP (league at 3.79 ERA) plus (for other teams) his $5.750MM salary is not crippling. Probably could move Matsui for a "decent" prospect (low A type) to clear his salary. If they moved him ... Hart probably gets locked in as the 3rd LHRP ... I am OK with that.

 

Quote from fenn68 on January 23, 2026, 2:14 pm

Another potential trade partner may be the NYY now that they added Bellinger to create an OF with Judge and Grisham. That sends Dominguez (switch hitter) to the bench (5 years control / league minimum) and AAA top prospect Jones blocked in AAA. I would lean toward Dominguez (has not lived up to his hype but still can hit enough to have impact).

NYY need pitching ... especially RP. So in theory an Estrada - Dominguez base might make for a reasonable deal (sprinkle in some extra parts). Escarra (C) who was rumored on the Padres radar last year ... a plus defensive C with maybe "OK" offense.

Dominguez would take care of the 9th hitter and allow Laureano to float around in the OF or DH.

NYY also need SP ... their top is very good but the next main arms are removing for injury (so some risk) ... what is left is weak. So "blockbuster" using Pivetta / Estrada ... getting Dominguez - Escarra - and a couple of top SP prospects. Padres take the $20.5 MM saved and sign Bassitt and a second tier SP. End up with a full offense and at least an equal (or better pitching staff).

Not likely BUT if we want a "blockbuster" that would qualify.

 

Quote from WindsorUK on January 24, 2026, 3:27 am

Quote from fenn68 on January 23, 2026, 7:00 am

Quote from MrPadre19 on January 23, 2026, 6:13 am

Quote from fenn68 on January 22, 2026, 5:04 pm

Quote from WindsorUK on January 22, 2026, 3:00 pm

Anyone up for running out Arraez again?

Personally, I'm hoping AJ finds a better option both in the field and the thump but he does get lots of hits and doesn't K much( not totally rotten skills).

Has anyone shown any interest in Luis this off season?

 

Would not rule out Arraez returning ... hearing nothing on any team interested in him or what his agent is holding out for.

At a basic level it may come down to alternatives that are willing to sign with the Padres and the comparative contracts.

Was not a fan of Arraez last season ... production did not match his cost. However, at a lower price point maybe. Arraez clearly liked SD ... if little interest by other teams a creative contract with a low base, incentives, opt outs might work. Not as though any internal options coming soon.

Personally I though he was misplaced as the #2 hitter (not sure if that was a call by Shildt or the front office). His best work in prior years was as a lead-off hitter ... better average / OBP. I understand the logic of Tatis leading off (at least the theory) but the offense may make better use of Tatis' skills (and power) in the middle of the line-up ... even batting 2nd behind Arraez and ahead of Merrill and Machado.

 

2/$12 and hit him 8th or 9th and for Gwynns' sake someone try to get him to take balls when he gets 2 strikes instead of fouling off five balls in a row before popping out to LF.

A guy who's almost impossible to K should be walking 40-50 more times in a season

DH/1B and an emergency 2B I guess

Did note that early in his career ... with MINN ... Arraez did walk more (and struck out more) but ended up with a better OBP. Somewhat aligned with his move to MIA his walk rate really dropped and so did his strikeout rate but his OBP went up (way up) ... delivering maybe his best season. Causes? different league, different parks, different coaches?

In SD last season both walks / strikeouts are around the MIA level but BA went down and so OBP dropped. Is that a function of PETCO or is it related to batting 2nd or is he just getting old?

Tough analysis for any team's evaluators. Not a real power threat (although more extra base hit would be nice and in the past that was part of his arsenal) ... the real key is getting his OBP back up to his past ... maybe via BA ... maybe via BB. Which ever works works for me. I guess have to factor in how (if at all) the new automated ball/strike may impact his approach.

If they can get his OBP back over .350 (note .393 in MIA 2023) he should be lead-off ahead of Tatis, Merrill, and Machado. Actually if he can produce a strong OBP vs the other options still should lead-off.

Yeh, $12MM/2 years would work ... maybe $4MM in 2026 and $8MM in 2027? Toss an incentive for a batting title, All-Star appearance, Top 10 in MVP voting.

Alternatives who might come to SD ... and money involved sort of puts this on hold until Preller sees Arraez as the better option. So probably not an early move.

If Arrarz comes back, then yes, gotta try him back at the top of the order( move Nando to the 4 hole).

I'd love to see Merrill in the 2 hole. I don't remember him getting any AB's there previously but hitting behind Arraez and in front of Manny, he'll see A LOT of hittable pitches. If he can stay healthy( i.e. not getting knocked out by a Marte blow to the head!), I think Jackson can be our best offensive player.

1-Arraez

2- Merrill

3- Machado

4- Tatis

5-  Sheets

6- Bogarts

7- Laureano

8- Jake

9- Fermin

Not a Murderer's Row but a solid line up 1-9.

 

Quote from MrPadre19 on January 24, 2026, 10:48 am

Quote from fenn68 on January 23, 2026, 2:14 pm

Another potential trade partner may be the NYY now that they added Bellinger to create an OF with Judge and Grisham. That sends Dominguez (switch hitter) to the bench (5 years control / league minimum) and AAA top prospect Jones blocked in AAA. I would lean toward Dominguez (has not lived up to his hype but still can hit enough to have impact).

NYY need pitching ... especially RP. So in theory an Estrada - Dominguez base might make for a reasonable deal (sprinkle in some extra parts). Escarra (C) who was rumored on the Padres radar last year ... a plus defensive C with maybe "OK" offense.

Dominguez would take care of the 9th hitter and allow Laureano to float around in the OF or DH.

NYY also need SP ... their top is very good but the next main arms are removing for injury (so some risk) ... what is left is weak. So "blockbuster" using Pivetta / Estrada ... getting Dominguez - Escarra - and a couple of top SP prospects. Padres take the $20.5 MM saved and sign Bassitt and a second tier SP. End up with a full offense and at least an equal (or better pitching staff).

Not likely BUT if we want a "blockbuster" that would qualify.

 

My guess is they move Bellinger to 1B

 

Quote from fenn68 on January 24, 2026, 11:25 am

Quote from MrPadre19 on January 24, 2026, 10:48 am

Quote from fenn68 on January 23, 2026, 2:14 pm

Another potential trade partner may be the NYY now that they added Bellinger to create an OF with Judge and Grisham. That sends Dominguez (switch hitter) to the bench (5 years control / league minimum) and AAA top prospect Jones blocked in AAA. I would lean toward Dominguez (has not lived up to his hype but still can hit enough to have impact).

NYY need pitching ... especially RP. So in theory an Estrada - Dominguez base might make for a reasonable deal (sprinkle in some extra parts). Escarra (C) who was rumored on the Padres radar last year ... a plus defensive C with maybe "OK" offense.

Dominguez would take care of the 9th hitter and allow Laureano to float around in the OF or DH.

NYY also need SP ... their top is very good but the next main arms are removing for injury (so some risk) ... what is left is weak. So "blockbuster" using Pivetta / Estrada ... getting Dominguez - Escarra - and a couple of top SP prospects. Padres take the $20.5 MM saved and sign Bassitt and a second tier SP. End up with a full offense and at least an equal (or better pitching staff).

Not likely BUT if we want a "blockbuster" that would qualify.

 

My guess is they move Bellinger to 1B

 

They have Ben Rice (3 WAR / .836 OPS) at 1B and Giancarlo Stanton at DH ... so Bellinger in LF seems the most probable. Of course there is the perpetual issue of Stanton being healthy, so there is a place for Dominguez as partner with Stanton as needed and 4th OF.

For a more spectacular spin ... Padres trade for Stanton (there is the RHH power) (2 years control) ... probably have to use Pivetta ... all part of a multi-player trade that in the end balances out the money or sees the NYY taking on more. Maybe push Matsui to them but get Escarra (C) and a league minimum SP option.

Lack of even rumors is beginning to get me a bit delusional I admit.