Quote from fenn68 on June 20, 2025, 6:11 am

Reports have Preller "actively" pursuing a LF upgrade now not waiting for the trade deadline. Of course, needs anther team to have a desire to trade a player that Preller actually wants for a "fair price". Preller is in need so can't (shouldn't) be overly choosey if the goal is winning and the playoffs.

Not overly choosey yes BUT would suggest that he targets hitters that are effective vs LHP.

For perspective Padres have faced LHP in 29% of their PA this year and have a bad wRC+ of 81 (20th in MLB). On the other hand, vs RHP the wRC+ is above average at 105 (14th in MLB). Both should be better if not for the ineffective bottom of the order (and bench) but the production vs LHP is a problem even with the core 7 hitters. Consider vs LHP

166 ... Machado

130 ... Merrill (L)

75 ... Arraez (L)

73 ... Cronenworth (L)

66 ... Bogaerts

66 ... Tatis (that is a real surprise to me)

60 ... Sheets (L)

From the bench Iglesias is at 98 vs LHP but terrible vs RHP ... not really a strong alternative.

Suggest to me they need maybe two RHH who are effective vs LHP ... one for LF and one to maybe platoon with Sheets ... unlikely Preller can find more than two (if that) to fit that need (effectively). Will not find a catcher upgrade.

If he can make those upgrades then the Padres really have to look at Tatis to make a turnaround vs LHP and maybe Bogaerts.

Quote from fenn68 on June 20, 2025, 11:50 am

Not my first choice for a LF upgrade BUT at what price would you pay to get Benintendi out of the CWS ... if they ate some of his contract which they implied the would? Remember the reality of available options and an upgrade is an upgrade even if not optimum.

Consider the Padres' LF has an overall wRC+ at 78 ... 90 vs RHP and 47 vs LHP ... plus no-one in system near term to upgrade.

Now Benintendi for the 2023-25 period has not been all that good (wRC+ at 92) and bad defense. In 2025, at a 108 wRC+ ... 111 vs RHP and 89 vs LHP both representing major improvement over the current Padre situation. Also, controlled through 2027 which supports a need.

So basically an "average" hitter now with bad defense ... well below a 1 WAR player. His contract becomes an negotiation issue ... $17MM-$17MM-$15MM is at least double what his metrics would suggest ... so a CWS buy down makes sense.

So there will be a balance of the quality of the return vs the level of buy down ... and I guess CWS would opt for the bigger buy down to get the better prospect(s) given the quality of their team. Add one subtlety in the negotiation as it relates to both the return and buy down structure ... the belief that there will be a 2027 work stoppage for a major portion of the season when players don't get paid.

So, if the Padres got them to eat all of 2025 and 1/2 of 2026 what would they have to give for an average (to below average) player for a position of major need in level of prospect(s)? Shouldn't think too much ... at least not the better prospect options?

 

Quote from MrPadre19 on June 20, 2025, 1:01 pm

I always believed Benintendi was going to be a good major league player....I was wrong.

If Chw is willing to pay a portion of the contract....now's the time to get Robert Jr.

Yes....I realize he isn't hitting for crap....and wasn't great last year.

But he's 27 and athletic as hell...a good defender and a good baserunner.

Depending on the cost prospect wise and how much they're willing to contribute.....now's the time to get him cheap.

I honestly believe he is the definition of a change of scenery candidate and think he will be very good again in a lineup that has other hitters in it and in an Org that wants to win.

He'd go from a lineup where there's no reason to pitch to him to one where they have to pitch to him

If we trade for a rental who's our Leftfielder next year?

2027?

I know many disagree and think he's just not good.....they could be right....I just don't think so

 

 

Quote from WindsorUK on June 22, 2025, 1:07 am

Hoeing- a starter or reliever long term?

 

Quote from fenn68 on June 22, 2025, 2:35 am

Quote from MrPadre19 on June 20, 2025, 1:01 pm

I always believed Benintendi was going to be a good major league player....I was wrong.

If Chw is willing to pay a portion of the contract....now's the time to get Robert Jr.

Yes....I realize he isn't hitting for crap....and wasn't great last year.

But he's 27 and athletic as hell...a good defender and a good baserunner.

Depending on the cost prospect wise and how much they're willing to contribute.....now's the time to get him cheap.

I honestly believe he is the definition of a change of scenery candidate and think he will be very good again in a lineup that has other hitters in it and in an Org that wants to win.

He'd go from a lineup where there's no reason to pitch to him to one where they have to pitch to him

If we trade for a rental who's our Leftfielder next year?

2027?

I know many disagree and think he's just not good.....they could be right....I just don't think so

 

 

Why not wait until to off season to sign Robert (if they want). CWS will not exercise their $20MM club option given how they approach finances plus he has not hit since 2023. Don't see him getting anything near that as a FA.

Given his performance this year ... and the first objective for the Padres is getting a LF who can help now ... don't see giving up any prospects for the gamble he first turns around and then exercising a $20MM option (CWS will not contribute to that since they know they don't have that commitment to pay).

In the off season could see the Padres pursue Robert as a FA ... probably on a low base ... incentive laden contract with club / player / vesting options.

Quote from fenn68 on June 22, 2025, 2:50 am

Quote from WindsorUK on June 22, 2025, 1:07 am

Hoeing- a starter or reliever long term?

 

He has three more years of control so could go a couple of ways during that time depending on the other pitching prospects. I betting a long RP / spot starter. Hoeing was just a so-so starter in the minors and a RP basically with MIA. Actually, his 2024 was his only really good season.

However, if they don't re-sign King and Cease ... Pivetta will opt out after 2026 ... some unknown about the future health of Darvish (and maybe Musgrove) there should be a large window for Hoeing to get a shot at SP since in 2027 Padres could be left with Kolek - Vasquez - Bergert and then auditions for the remaining SP.

Quote from fenn68 on June 22, 2025, 8:38 am

Reading the last info on King's injury ... an uncommon nerve issue that just takes time to heal. Maybe 3 months so he may be out until late August or September.

Not doing well for his FA walk year.

Additionally, Darvish is still throwing ... may do more rehabs ... COULD be back by the All-Star break ... BUT it has been reported he was close before and then pushed back. We will see when he really tries to go full speed / extend pitches.

Quote from WindsorUK on June 22, 2025, 1:13 pm

So basically Darvish ISN'T healed? If he's still suffering setbacks after all this time, doesn't sound as if his ailments have been cured.

Maybe Father Time has caught up with Yu and it's time for him to retire? Padres could certainly use the cap space.

Quote from MrPadre19 on June 23, 2025, 5:16 am

Padres have the 6th easiest schedule the rest of the way.

Need to just win series.

Got Az,SF,Cin,Stl,Mil,basically to contend with....allowing for both NYM & Phi to get in.