Quote from fenn68 on May 12, 2025, 8:15 am

With the poor performance of Heyward vs both LHP and RHP ... the lack of performance from Joe, Gonzalez, Ornelas during their shots ... and the lackluster offense historically from Lockridge and Wade ... (overall 27th in LF offense) ... an upgrade is an obvious need.

Problem 1 is the lack of available options on the trade market who actually are performing well and available (not even consider the trade price). Still think a deal lags until closer to the trade deadline and as long as the Padres keep winning that is a reasonable gambit.

However, there is one FA still out there that has a chance to be an upgrade ... David Peralta. Not sure what he is demanding to sign (with anyone) or is just willing to retire. He is 37 and a risk of just having age limit his productivity BUT last season he was productive vs RHP (Heyward is not) and limited time vs LHP (not good but still not worse than Heyward) but well better over the course of his career.

At a time when Heyward is not hitting and no clear and obvious alternatives ... maybe Peralta becomes a viable option?

Quote from Randy Manese on May 12, 2025, 8:37 am

Peralta should have been the option at the beginning of the year but not a peep as to why he didn't or hasn't signed with anyone.

Heyward is well past his prime but the Padres offense can carry him most of the time; because of what he brings to the clubhouse, I think it will take another IL trip to get him out of the line-up and after that he might not return.  However, don't see that happening soon - maybe sometime during the dog days of summer but he's got that balky knee so one never knows when that will crop up.  A team wanting to off-load some OF salary or wanting a legit prospect or two might be willing to trade but still too early in the season, in my opinion so agree that closer to the trade deadline looks probable.

In the minors, Perlaza has cooled off a bit and no other OF close other than what we've already seen; Locastro looked like a possibility but then got hurt again.  Bryce Johnson is more a defensive option than an offensive one.  Nobody in AA or below is ready.

Quote from Randy Manese on May 12, 2025, 10:20 pm

Bullpen starting to show cracks and those blowing up the most are those who most of us probably expected to blow up.  We were due for a Suarez meltdown and it came tonight.  Hopefully, he can put this one behind him and get back to being dependable the majority of the time; despite his early showing this year, I still hold my breath every time he comes out to close a game.  Jacob, Peralta and Reynolds all should be on the bubble to be replaced and there are good arms down in the minors - stay turned; could see Knehr added to the 40 man and some other pitchers that were sent down previously brought up.

Quote from ultratvfan on May 14, 2025, 4:34 pm

RHP Brito undergoes UCL surgery, out for rest of '25

https://www.mlb.com/padres/news/jhony-brito-right-elbow-surgery

Padres currently havre 38 players on the 40-man roster.

Quote from fenn68 on May 15, 2025, 5:58 am

Darvish pitched in his AAA rehab yesterday and went 50+ pitches. May do one more rehab (or a controlled simulation) the be set for activation in maybe late May.

IF Kolek is impressive again on Friday and Vasquez has done enough to secure remaining in the rotation ... Padres are going to have to make a tough call on who to pull out of the rotation. (no indication that they are considering a 6 man rotation even with a schedule that has few off days for the next month+).

Kolek (last in first out) is the one likely to go but Padres have to make on a call whether he (and the team from a full season perspective) is better off with Kolek continuing to develop as a SP in the minors (if needed for a later call-up) or shift back to the pen and help now and option one of the RP.

 

Quote from Jeremy Hill on May 15, 2025, 8:06 am

We're coming up on a stretch where we have 22 games in 23 days followed by 19 in 20 before 10 straight into the All-Star break. I've seen both Acee and Lin suggest they could go to a 6 man rotation at least temporarily. As long as Kolek is pitching well I think that might be the best plan. It lets Darvish ease back in and they can take advantage of the bullpen depth to cycle in fresh arms as needed.

Quote from fenn68 on May 15, 2025, 8:36 am

Quote from Jeremy Hill on May 15, 2025, 8:06 am

We're coming up on a stretch where we have 22 games in 23 days followed by 19 in 20 before 10 straight into the All-Star break. I've seen both Acee and Lin suggest they could go to a 6 man rotation at least temporarily. As long as Kolek is pitching well I think that might be the best plan. It lets Darvish ease back in and they can take advantage of the bullpen depth to cycle in fresh arms as needed.

Given the schedule ... and Darvish just arriving ... the 6 man rotation makes sense to me. I guess they could go with a 5 man rotation and at various points drop in a spot starter rather than a fixed 6 man (unclear who that would be). So could send down Kolek and after a couple of cycles through to 5 man do a call-up for a spot starter (sending down a RP) ... Kolek could come back but so could Bergert or Cruz and then optioned and a different RP called-up.

An argument against a 6 man rotation is the potential impact on the existing SP who function on a pretty routine preparation between starts ... change that routine and does that make their effectiveness less or more? If not it may save some bullets in their arms as they go back to shorter rest cycle going down the stretch and in the playoffs OR will it be harder for them to return to pitching on shorter rest at the end of the season.

No clear answer but might not want to mess with what is going well.

Quote from Randy Manese on May 15, 2025, 12:04 pm

I thought Darvish pitched very well yesterday even though he gave up a HR.  It was on a 2-2 count and he just grooved it over the plate and the batter hit it well - it was in Las Vegas, so HRs do fly out a lot there but it probably would have been a HR at sea level.   For the most part, he had very good command of his pitches and seemed to have sufficient velocity to get big league hitters out.  May have to build up to 60-70 pitches in a second rehab start but if he had no ill effects on his arm from yesterday's outing, he's seems very close to being ready -  I'm targeting the next home stand in May against either the Marlins or Pirates for his 2025 debut.

Quote from Randy Manese on May 15, 2025, 12:26 pm

What are the odds of getting OF Chandler Simpson from the Rays?  Although not there yet, most think he could evolve into Luis Arraez "light" but with a lot more speed on the base paths.  Rays are hurting at catcher and could use a potentially big bat there in Campusano; we'd have to toss in a couple of decent prospects but if we took back c Danny Jansen and some money for his salary and Simpson for our LF spot, I think we'd have stronger team down the stretch.  It will be had to get Simpson but if we're also willing to give up a potential SP and a prime target RP, I see the Rays making the deal.  Anybody else see this as a possibility or even interested in this kind of deal happening?