Quote from BoosterSD on March 18, 2025, 9:09 am

Is anyone else concerned with the really bad numbers being put up by Heyward? Or because he is a vet, we are not worried about ST numbers??

I wonder since Verdugo has not had any formal offers, depending on his asking price this late in Spring, would Verdugo offer an upgrade over Heyward?

Quote from 3fingersplit on March 18, 2025, 5:48 pm

I know he was paid some money but when you have guys like Sheets, Gonzalez, Guriel, Joe, Lockridge, Wall having a great spring it's kind of hard to justify him making the opening day roster

Quote from MrPadre19 on March 18, 2025, 6:07 pm

I’d take Verudgo over Heyward any day….of course I’d take almost anyone over him TBH

 

Quote from 3fingersplit on March 18, 2025, 7:21 pm

Quote from MrPadre19 on March 18, 2025, 6:07 pm

I’d take Verudgo over Heyward any day….of course I’d take almost anyone over him TBH

 

Are you okay Mr P ?

No way I would want Verdugo on this team over Sheets, Joe, Gonzalez etc

Quote from fenn68 on March 18, 2025, 8:01 pm

Have to worry about the underlying reason why 30 teams have not been interested in Verdugo (not even in the rumors) this winter. He is projected to be only a 0.5ish WAR and some past rumors of him being a "discontent" on the roster. Only 29 and teams need some offense ... could be he has priced himself out of consideration or is just waiting at this point for a critical injury somewhere to get a better number that being offered (if any).

He is beginning to look like a minor league signing somewhere ... not enough ST time to really see what he has for a ML deal at the cost of someone on the 40 man while other cuts are being made.

---

Not overly excited about ST stats ... good or bad since a lot depends on when they play (vs minor leaguers, vs veterans just getting in shape, early in ST or later, etc).

Veterans who know they are making the club have their own preparation pace (see Machado). Players trying to make the squad are more motivated (see Sheets). Also, we really don't see how players are doing in "B" games / inter-squad games on the back fields.

Take Ornelas ... really hitting everyone the first two weeks of ST ... a total dud the last two weeks against more prepared pitching.

So, assuming the Padres can retain some of these non-roster types in EP for the first few months of the season ... think you go with Heyward and if he fails early then you release him and add whomever is producing in AAA ... if any actually are once they face in season pitching.

Quote from fenn68 on March 18, 2025, 9:54 pm

Darvish:

first "fatigue" might cause him to miss some ST work

now "elbow soreness" might cause him to miss opening day (IL?)

eventually? long IL stint with elbow "issue"?

________________________

Positive spin ... at age 38 and since 2022 declining innings might concern the Padres in pushing him "healthy" for a full season. He was effective in his 1/2 season last year and would love that down the stretch and in the playoffs. So, start the season on the IL (2 months?) ... ramp up ... start in the 2nd half for max benefit.

Side benefit is the Padres can get a better read on Kolek, Hart, and Vasquez as SP early and know who the dump as Darvish returns.

Not optimum but may the best "realistic" plan given Darvish's age / health.

To start the season ... and with a lot of off days ... a Cease, King, Pivetta, Kolek, Hart rotation should be enough to remain in playoff contention setting up a return of Darvish as the schedule gets tighter and one of the incumbents falters or gets injured.

 

Quote from 3fingersplit on March 19, 2025, 4:48 am

Quote from fenn68 on March 18, 2025, 9:54 pm

Darvish:

first "fatigue" might cause him to miss some ST work

now "elbow soreness" might cause him to miss opening day (IL?)

eventually? long IL stint with elbow "issue"?

________________________

Positive spin ... at age 38 and since 2022 declining innings might concern the Padres in pushing him "healthy" for a full season. He was effective in his 1/2 season last year and would love that down the stretch and in the playoffs. So, start the season on the IL (2 months?) ... ramp up ... start in the 2nd half for max benefit.

Side benefit is the Padres can get a better read on Kolek, Hart, and Vasquez as SP early and know who the dump as Darvish returns.

Not optimum but may the best "realistic" plan given Darvish's age / health.

To start the season ... and with a lot of off days ... a Cease, King, Pivetta, Kolek, Hart rotation should be enough to remain in playoff contention setting up a return of Darvish as the schedule gets tighter and one of the incumbents falters or gets injured.

 

This is why I have been saying over and over...Do Not Trade Starting Pitching

Musgrove is out, Darvish may be out but we still have Cease, King, Pivetta, Kolek and Hart with Vasquez, Waldron and Bergert in reserve. That is still a better than average starting rotation.

Quote from WindsorUK on March 19, 2025, 3:38 pm

Okay, how does Oscar Gonzales NOT make the team? He has arguably been our most consistent hitter all Spring.

I'm a big Ornelas fan but I think Oscar has outperformed him. And obviously with Sheets launching bombs, he'll make the OD.

If both Sheets and Gonzales, as well as Lockridge, make the OD( I'm thinking Iglesias is a lock) does that mean Wade, Eguy, and Ornelas don't? Does Wade have any options?

Quote from fenn68 on March 20, 2025, 1:22 am

Quote from WindsorUK on March 19, 2025, 3:38 pm

Okay, how does Oscar Gonzales NOT make the team? He has arguably been our most consistent hitter all Spring.

I'm a big Ornelas fan but I think Oscar has outperformed him. And obviously with Sheets launching bombs, he'll make the OD.

If both Sheets and Gonzales, as well as Lockridge, make the OD( I'm thinking Iglesias is a lock) does that mean Wade, Eguy, and Ornelas don't? Does Wade have any options?

Don't think either Wade or Rosario can be optioned.

Don't forget Joe has one of those bench slots (when platooning with Heyward) ... so only three open (Campusano also has one as the 2nd C). So agree Iglesias is a lock ... only two for Lockridge, Sheets, and Gonzales with Ornelas optioned to AA. Lockridge has had a good ST and brings PR speed and legit insurance defense for CF if they want to rest Merrill. Then a though call between Sheets and Gonzales.

They should be able to handle adding 3 non-roster players with the release of Rosario, Wade, and Sullivan. That still leaves them with Musgrove to the 60 IL for the next move or they gain a slot if the return Rule 5 Nunez.