Quote from MrPadre19 on February 2, 2026, 3:59 am

Vientos career vs LH pitching:

.258/.299/.461

Meh

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quote from fenn68 on February 2, 2026, 6:17 am

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 2, 2026, 3:59 am

Vientos career vs LH pitching:

.258/.299/.461

Meh

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Game of alternatives. If Sheets is a DH vs RHP ... who do they have for 1B and DH vs LHP? Are they better than Vientos' .461 SLG and .760 OPS (above average) vs LHP, Campusano? Song? Sheets was .369 SLG / .670 OPS vs LHP.

Sure, sign someone else ... but is that someone else available at a Padre price? Vientos is at league minimum salary and 4 years control. Actually Padres may need to add two RHH ... one to platoon with Sheets at DH and one to handle 1B. My guess at least one has to be a league minimum type purely to allow deploying any payroll space (if any) to add a better 2nd bat.

Now if to get Vientos the Mets demanded Morejon ... NO. If they will take Pena ... YES. Reality some somewhere in-between.

(Depending on money available) would probably lean to FA France (decent defensively at 1B) and Andujar (injury risk but hits LHP) as the platoon DH and bench back-up for the corner OF.

Not enamored with the current / projected output from FA Hoskins (expensive / injury history / poor 2025 / bad defense) or Goldschmidt (expensive / old, aging / big fall off in 2nd half). Not influenced by their pasts.

Just navigating alternatives that fit the Padre limits and the unknown of the targets wanting to sign with the Padres vs their alternatives. Preller needs to be "flexible" in his pursuits ... need upgrades.

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 2, 2026, 6:25 am

I realize cost is the factor we don't have enough info on....which is why I have questioned all the Vientos talk.

Not knowing the cost I'd prefer to keep our prospect(s) whoever he would cost..... and sign Hoskins(also not knowing the cost)

career vs. LH pitching

.243/.382/501

Unless Vientos is a plus fielder at 1B/3B?

 

Quote from fenn68 on February 2, 2026, 8:30 am

Vientos was not a plus fielder at 3B and has played very little 1B. So TBD.

Making this difficult for Preller (besides the money to sign anyone) is that each offers a different profile of pluses and minuses. Consider:

wRC+ vs LHP: Andujar (171); Goldschmidt (169); Vientos (105); Hoskins (102); France (90).

wRC+ vs RHP: Hoskins (111); Andujar (108); France (93); Vientos (93); Goldschmidt (74).

wRC+ overall: Andujar (125); Hoskins (109); Goldschmidt (103); Vientos (97); France (92).

dWAR at 1B: France (-0.1); Hoskins (-4.3); Goldschmidt (-10.0); note that Andujar and Vientos played minimal 1B in 2025.

Projected money (all one year deals): Goldschmidt $9MM; Hoskins $8MM; Andujar $5MM; France in the $1-2MM range (only $1MM in 2025). Vientos would be league minimum and controlled for 4 years (but cost a prospect).

Preller has to think whether he is seeking a part-time player(s) vs LHP and part-time 1B/DH or a full time 1B ... if part-time can he convince the player to come to SD vs a team that will give him a full time role to build his resume for the next FA. How much is defense at 1B a factor? How much a risk on a conversion to 1B for Vientos and Andujar? Salary offered likely different if a full time vs part time player.

Unless Preller can clear some payroll first ... and he is still seeking another SP ... could be a bias for the lower cost options as a RHH even if not the optimum choice.

Not easy for Preller ...

 

 

Quote from fenn68 on February 2, 2026, 9:45 am

Sort of going in circles on Preller moves ... assuming multiple need and limited funds and limited trade chips.

At the moment think a SP upgrade (over Sears et al) may be a priority given the history of injuries among SP. SP (good ones) are few and far between if looking for an upgrade in 2026 and less likely to be found via trade since most teams want to upgrade the bottom of the rotation ... makes for an over pay in a trade. So, with the money available probably should push the FA market for a sign.

The domino effect is go low cost FA or trade from a strong pen for the needed offense upgrade ... but with the rest of the line-up don't really need to reach for a top notch hitter .. just enough to fill the void.

That logic adds to the potential for France, I guess. Maybe Andujar if his market tumbles to below the projected $5MM.

Would help if Preller could clear some salary ... thinking Adam or Peralta or Matsui .. all RP in a strong pen and could be covered internally. Not a lot of money but even $5-6MM could be valuable. Moves from the offense or SP just creates more holes so not from there.

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 2, 2026, 10:51 am

Yeah it's easy for fans to just say "we should have signed Suarez!"

Or,"why don't we just trade for Vientos?"

Unfortunately Preller has to consider payroll,clubhouse fit,cost of prospects if a trade,does the player even want to come to SD for free agents,other teams making offers........etc.

If I was Suarez and it was a choice between SD and Cin and the offer was the same of course I'm choosing the bandbox stadium in Cin.

 

 

 

 

Quote from BoosterSD on February 2, 2026, 12:13 pm

With SEA looking for more of a middle INF type, and SD needing more of a 1B type and some possible salary relief, is there a deal to be made around Crone for Luke Raley?

Quote from fenn68 on February 2, 2026, 12:44 pm

Quote from BoosterSD on February 2, 2026, 12:13 pm

With SEA looking for more of a middle INF type, and SD needing more of a 1B type and some possible salary relief, is there a deal to be made around Crone for Luke Raley?

I could see Seattle taking Cronenworth but Preller's first priority in such a deal would be to get them to take the full 5 year / $60MM contract. Then debate a prospect in return (Seattle is like SD ... a lot of low minor prospects but not much ML ready).

Seattle needs offense so not sure they would want to move an OF and Raley who had decent 2023-24 (off season in 2025) is useful to them at about $2MM ... 3 years control (but already 31). Not sure adding a $2MM LHH OF does much for the Padres but would take him if that did not interfere with Seattle taking the full Croneworth contract. Would be more interested if he were a RHH.

Preller could do a lot with an additional $12.5MM to play with ... but also assumes that Song (L) / Wagner (L) plays regular 2B, I guess.

I like Cronenworth more than most but in this line-up gambling with Song (or any of the other options) and using that $12.5MM for another SP or RHH 1B just might make the team better over a full season.

 

Quote from BoosterSD on February 2, 2026, 1:37 pm

Doesnt matter now, it appears that SEA/STL/TAM are in agreement of a 3 team deal with SEA getting Donovan.