Quote from fenn68 on May 15, 2025, 3:02 pm

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?

I am on the fence with Simpson. Great speed ... good defense ... no power ... and a TBD bat. Maybe Juan Pierre or maybe Billy Hamilton?

Not sure I would give up any upper end prospect for him ... if I could use that prospect to get a more sure immediate upgrade. Who knows how TB view him ... but they are historically tough to deal with.

Can never bet on prospects but Padres POTENTIALLY have similar profiles in Wells (LE) and Roberts (IL) ... top flight speed and defense for CF. Plus Merrill is the CF for a long time ... so do the Padres want to project a zero power LF for the future?

Now I would add Simpson ... just not at a premium price.

Quote from fenn68 on May 15, 2025, 3:28 pm

Still struggling to find a quality upgrade for LF ... players who I think may be legitimately available and at least productive and at a reasonable price.

My earlier idea of either Hays (CINN) or Bader (MINN) ... when both teams were struggling and both are "rentals" ... is fading as both teams are pushing back into contention.

So let's try a gamble ... deal with the very bad LAA for LF Taylor Ward (31, RHH with some power) and having a bad season for average (but still some power). Making about $8MM (only cost the Padres a prorated amount in 2025 or LAA may eat some for the right prospect(s)). Bet on the bounce back to his performance of over .700 OPS in the past 3 seasons, and showed power. Add that he will be controlled in 2026 via arbitration and the Padres don't have a clear LF option for 2026.

LAA are bad ... don't expect a long term relationship with a 31 year old from either the team or player's view ... LAA should be willing to deal for a "reasonable" return of prospect(s).

Not a "star" but looks like a LF that could legitimately rebound from a slow start (on a bad team) to hit his norm (on a good team). Plus does hit LHP well.

 

Quote from BoosterSD on May 15, 2025, 5:37 pm

Quote from fenn68 on May 15, 2025, 3:28 pm

Still struggling to find a quality upgrade for LF ... players who I think may be legitimately available and at least productive and at a reasonable price.

MLBTR had a blog about possible rental options from BAL. O'Hearn and Mullins. Both are LHH and both are OFers and O'Hearn can also play 1B. Not sure if BAL will make them available and what the cost would be, but both would be improvements over Heyward.

Quote from Stergios on May 15, 2025, 6:25 pm

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?

Simpson really impressed me when the Rays were in town, so I assumed that he had been a highly-touted prospect and was a promising young CF.  If we could get him, I’d say yes based on the eye test, but I don’t think the Rays would move him very easily.

Quote from Stergios on May 15, 2025, 6:29 pm

To me, the obvious solution to our LF problem is to platoon Wade and Lockridge.  At least for the time being.

Quote from ultratvfan on May 15, 2025, 6:36 pm

Quote from Stergios on May 15, 2025, 6:29 pm

To me, the obvious solution to our LF problem is to platoon Wade and Lockridge.  At least for the time being.

Makes sense to me.

Quote from MrPadre19 on May 16, 2025, 6:11 am

Mullens has been my target.

FA after the year....has power and good defender in CF so should be even better in LF.

Bal needs pitching.....falling out of it quickly.

Could probably get Mullens for a guy like Bergert.....or Lowe or Baez or a combo.

Plus as far as Bal is out, and the teams ahead of them, they probably wouldn't have to wait until the deadline.

Meanwhile leave Lockridge out their and hit him 9th

 

 

 

Quote from fenn68 on May 16, 2025, 7:10 am

Always liked Mullins but thinking BALT holds until the trade deadline ... not so much to see if they get back in the race but to get more teams into a bidding war. Mullins is the only quality CF likely on the market and can play the corners ... not much quality OF overall likely on the market.

BALT will be able to trade him ... so little value in trading him "early" unless they perceive a major over-pay and given he is a "rental" needs competition to get the offers up.

Side observation ... yes, he would be a major upgrade for the Padres LF BUT in his career he has hit much better in BALT than his AWAY games (slightly below average). That might temper the size of any offer ... BALT has been a good hitters park ... PETCO not so much. Also career not so strong vs LHP ... and the Padres needs some boost in production vs LHP.

Quote from fenn68 on May 16, 2025, 7:31 am

Since the Padres still have the 3rd best record in MLB (tied with fewest losses at 15) ... Preller may not be eager to move quickly or "over pay" for a potential upgrade with limited (if any) players on the market now and would prefer to wait until more options come on the market.

Also, we may like our prospect trade chips but not sure how others view these prospects ... so Preller may not want to move a desirable piece early if potentially he will need that player for a different move due to injury later in the summer.

I can see ... for LF ... a mix and match of Heyward (L), Lockridge, Wade (L) until the trade market becomes clearer. Not sure how good Lockridge has to be to convince the Padres to stick with him. He clearly provides defense and speed ... in this line-up they don't NEED a major bat, just an average or just below average bat. I also would not rule out the return of Gonzalez as a RHH option ... not impressive before primarily due to the lack of SLG but has returned to hitting in EP and his past suggests he has some SLG in him ... I guess a fall back.

Not in favor of this one but another scenario could have Sheets moved to LF ... he was a RF with the CWS (not a good defensive one) ... with Lockridge as the defensive / RHH platoon. That would allow Campusano to be recalled as the DH.

An injury could force one of the above scenarios ahead of "forcing" a trade before its time.