Quote from Randy Manese on January 28, 2026, 2:34 pm

Don't think contending teams with average bullpens will start seriously looking to improve until they evaluate what they have in ST.  From what I've seen so far, many top teams still need a high leverage arm to help bridge them to their closer so not worried about Preller waiting to make the right deal at the right time.

Quote from fenn68 on January 28, 2026, 2:40 pm

Quote from WindsorUK on January 28, 2026, 2:21 pm

Is Rumfield even a prospect?

I guess that depends on one's standard for "a prospect".

He was exposed to Rule 5 last December and everyone passed even though he had a full (decent) season in AAA. Think all below average skills ratings.

However, given the Rockies ML candidates for 1B/DH ... might see him at some point in the ML. So, if a player makes the ML was he therefore "a prospect" (albeit a bad one).

For me no.

Quote from Randy Manese on January 28, 2026, 2:49 pm

Samad Taylor is an interesting free agent signing.  With his speed and versatility could challenge for a bench spot and might even push Bryce Johnson off the roster for more of a power bat on the bench.  I could see him platooning with Song at 2b with Croney becoming the everyday first baseman.  Croney is very good at 2b but excellent at 1b and could save us many runs by his range and his ability to pick balls out of the dirt.  The bench pieces are truly up for grabs and it will be interesting to watch who comes to the front of the pack, irrespective of future trades and other free agent signings.  A lot will be known after Darvish clears the air on his voiding his current contract.

Quote from fenn68 on January 28, 2026, 3:05 pm

Nothing firm but speculation / rumor that the Padres maybe be interested in a reunion with C.J. Abrams with the thought of him going to 2B and Cronenworth to 1B. Abrams has 3 years control and is only making $4.2MM ... fits the Padres profile.

Note: Abrams is a bad SS (very high error rate) and ranked 23rd out of 25 qualified SS for defense ... so NOT replacing Bogaerts at SS.

However, he is a slightly above average hitter blessed with speed / base stealing ... so Preller may be interested him as the future lead-off hitter. An Abrams (L) - Tatis - Merrill (L) - Machado top 4 could be hard to contain. Follow them with Sheets (L) - Laureano - Bogaerts - Cronenworth (L) - Fermin. Very good. Allows Song to be that super utility guy as most project.

Now WASH does NOT WANT key players from the ML (or near ML ready) ... they are building (in theory) for maybe 3-5 years out ... so A+/A level prospects are the key. That works in the Padres favor given the only top prospects are in the lower minors. Schoolcraft (Top 100) and another better prospect tied with three mid-range types? I avoided Salas thinking his past two seasons and last season injury have probably lowered his value as a trade piece (but for the Padres still value as their's)

Side: IF Song performs well in 2026 and can handle 2B ... in 2027 when Laureano is a FA ... Abrams could move to LF where his speed / athleticism could make him elite (3 SS in the OF: Abrams - Merrill - Tatis).

Quote from BoosterSD on January 28, 2026, 7:00 pm

Not a huge fan of Abrams; character issues for me and fading every year in the second half, but if they do trade for him I think I would immediately trade Laureano to the NYM and another piece if needed for Vientos.

I would immediately place Abrams in LF, Vientos at 1B, leave Crone at 2B, and have Song be the moving piece.

Quote from brent wolff on January 28, 2026, 7:36 pm

Quote from fenn68 on January 28, 2026, 3:05 pm

Nothing firm but speculation / rumor that the Padres maybe be interested in a reunion with C.J. Abrams with the thought of him going to 2B and Cronenworth to 1B. Abrams has 3 years control and is only making $4.2MM ... fits the Padres profile.

Note: Abrams is a bad SS (very high error rate) and ranked 23rd out of 25 qualified SS for defense ... so NOT replacing Bogaerts at SS.

However, he is a slightly above average hitter blessed with speed / base stealing ... so Preller may be interested him as the future lead-off hitter. An Abrams (L) - Tatis - Merrill (L) - Machado top 4 could be hard to contain. Follow them with Sheets (L) - Laureano - Bogaerts - Cronenworth (L) - Fermin. Very good. Allows Song to be that super utility guy as most project.

Now WASH does NOT WANT key players from the ML (or near ML ready) ... they are building (in theory) for maybe 3-5 years out ... so A+/A level prospects are the key. That works in the Padres favor given the only top prospects are in the lower minors. Schoolcraft (Top 100) and another better prospect tied with three mid-range types? I avoided Salas thinking his past two seasons and last season injury have probably lowered his value as a trade piece (but for the Padres still value as their's)

Side: IF Song performs well in 2026 and can handle 2B ... in 2027 when Laureano is a FA ... Abrams could move to LF where his speed / athleticism could make him elite (3 SS in the OF: Abrams - Merrill - Tatis).

Schoolcraft and Salas are still untouchables in my opinion.  I consider dealing the following, one of Mayfield or Melendez on the other could be had, plus one lottery ticket, Coronil or preferably De La Cruz and one other prospect, say an arm like Haynes/Pena or a bat like King or Tears for a serviceable bat or arm.

Quote from sportwarrior on January 29, 2026, 7:38 am

Quite predictably, our system was not ranked favorably by Keith Law in his system rankings for The Athletic. In fact, we were ranked dead last. I expect us to improve that ranking yet again. However, one has to wonder whether that job has been made tougher where Preller's wheeling and dealing likely makes SD a bit harder of a sell to international prospects who are committing to a system and city that might just end up trading them in short order anyway.

Quote from MrPadre19 on January 29, 2026, 7:44 am

Quote from sportwarrior on January 29, 2026, 7:38 am

Quite predictably, our system was not ranked favorably by Keith Law in his system rankings for The Athletic. In fact, we were ranked dead last. I expect us to improve that ranking yet again. However, one has to wonder whether that job has been made tougher where Preller's wheeling and dealing likely makes SD a bit harder of a sell to international prospects who are committing to a system and city that might just end up trading them in short order anyway.

On the other hand, a weak system means a possible fast move up the ranks with little ahead blocking the prospect.

 

 

Quote from fenn68 on January 29, 2026, 8:59 am

Quote from MrPadre19 on January 29, 2026, 7:44 am

Quote from sportwarrior on January 29, 2026, 7:38 am

Quite predictably, our system was not ranked favorably by Keith Law in his system rankings for The Athletic. In fact, we were ranked dead last. I expect us to improve that ranking yet again. However, one has to wonder whether that job has been made tougher where Preller's wheeling and dealing likely makes SD a bit harder of a sell to international prospects who are committing to a system and city that might just end up trading them in short order anyway.

On the other hand, a weak system means a possible fast move up the ranks with little ahead blocking the prospect.

 

 

I doubt a 16 year old (or his advisor) care that much about the depth of a system ... more who wants to sign them and for how much. For the more pursued player ... maybe the quality of the development system for the teams.

The objective is to get to the ML ... with anyone ... perceive quality of the teams' development organizations that gets them to the ML ... even if traded fits the bigger goal.

If anything the Padres seem to have a good development staff ... so that should help.