Quote from MrPadre19 on July 13, 2025, 5:44 am

Yu Darvish extended his record streak of starts with at least two strikeouts to 281 games last night. Barely…… thank you, Kyle Schwarber

 

Quote from brent wolff on July 13, 2025, 1:56 pm

Henry Baez was Texas League pitcher of the month for June and has a 2.08 ERA in 18 starts while averaging nearly a strikeout per inning, with 83 in 86.2 innings and an impressive whip of 1.05 and a ground out compared to air out ratio of 1.44 ground outs per 1 air out.

Has he developed into a possible trade chip the Pads need?  Along with the multiple relief pitchers, hopefully they can come up with a competent LF, such as Harrison Bader from the Twins and a possible underrated catching prospect such as Korey Lee from the White Sox or possibly get Higgy back from the Rangers.

I don't want to give up a ton of prospect capital this season.  We need to start/keep developing some of our younger players to keep the payroll down in my opinion.

What does everyone else think?  Go AJP & Pads

Quote from brent wolff on July 13, 2025, 2:29 pm

Would you trade Suarez for former Pad draft pick LH OF Owen Cassie?  We need help against left-hand pitching so we could really use a right hand hitter instead.  Go Pads & AJP!

Quote from fenn68 on July 13, 2025, 2:38 pm

Clearly a trade chip and just looking at his development in 2024 and 2025 ... and just age 22 for this season a good trade chip (will be interesting to see where he ends up on an update Top 30 list).

Of course, recognizing the value of good SP, would not trade him for a "rental" or a marginal upgrade ... would have to be part of a major / controllable upgrade.

Preller has to be careful wasting Baez and Nett (both could help in 2026) with King and Cease FA ... Darvish aging and potentially not a full season starter anymore ... Musgrove an "unknown" in his first return year from TJ ... Pivetta will opt out after 2026. Have to consider the worst case scenario that for 2026 and for the following years sit with Vasquez, Bergert, Kolek and question marks.

If MINN drops out of the race ... think they could get Bader (a rental) for much less prospect capital than Baez (or Nett).

Quote from fenn68 on July 13, 2025, 2:44 pm

Quote from brent wolff on July 13, 2025, 2:29 pm

Would you trade Suarez for former Pad draft pick LH OF Owen Cassie?  We need help against left-hand pitching so we could really use a right hand hitter instead.  Go Pads & AJP!

Not in a playoff race with the 4 RP being the main reason the Padres are close. Can't seeing trading any of the main 4 RP. The one caveat would be a deal that  got back a proven ML impact player that will help in 2025.

Side note ... with Suarez having the opt out after the season (which he will exercise) ... his trade value drops to rental status and that usually results in a prospect return but not elite prospects.

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Side, I am not a fan of Cassie as a trade target ... other than a LHH (not a need) he has a high K rate that might not play well at the next level.

Quote from TarheelPadre on July 15, 2025, 8:36 pm

Proud night for the Friars:

Tatis 0-2 2 k’s

Machado 0-2 2 k’s

3 pitchers record only 2 outs while giving up 4 runs.

Great showing……

Quote from fenn68 on July 16, 2025, 5:18 am

Now that the draft and the All-Star game has past ... MLB GMs will be heating up the rumor mill in the next two weeks prior to the trade deadline.

There are clear contenders who will be considering upgrades (by trading prospects) ... there are some clear non-contenders who will be considering selling veterans (to get prospects). However, still a number of bubble teams that may be frozen over the next week or so until it is clear if they really are contenders ... that in turn may slow down other teams if the players they have to deal are perceived to be worth waiting for over ones who are available now.

Padres are in a playoff slot now ... optimistic that King will return and Darvish will settle in both boosting the SP ... so maybe not panic (over pay for marginal upgrades) and ride this roster (RP and Core 7 offense) into the playoffs.

Preller has some limitations on his ability to construct trades: 1) thin group of top prospects most of which are in the lower minors ... not big targets for other teams if dealing a quality player (especially with other teams potentially having more to deal); 2) need for C who are not the most available players if looking for immediate quality plus the belief that switching catchers at this point may create issues with the pitching; 3) the potential limitations on adding to the payroll ... forcing Preller to seek low cost upgrades on the margin or over pay with prospects to get the seller to eat some salary in the deal.

Preller likely therefore focuses on adding two bats ... likely marginal rentals that carry a low salaries and require only second tier prospects. Having said that ... Preller can surprise.

The one strategy (gamble) Preller could deploy to get a "better" offense upgrade (and potential deal with a contender) may be to deal from the ML roster ... SP or RP would be in demand. Would he deal SP from a group of: King, Cease, Pivetta, Darvish, (Vasquez, Bergert, Kolek) ... don't think other SP would generate much in return ... seven for five slots? Would he deal RP(s)?

Quote from MrPadre19 on July 16, 2025, 6:25 am

I would think AJ would be willing to trade from the bullpen considering we have 2-3 guys in the Minors who,IMO, are ready now.

Suarez and Estrada should at least be considered..both will have good value to a contender and with Suarez likely leaving....it may be the wise decision.

Maybe Preller feels different but I think Bradgely,Neighbors,and Francis Pena could fill in nicely.

I get that trading your All Star Closer while in the playoff race is risky....but we need 3 bats and there's no way we're trading Leo or Kash....and likely not Salas or Bateman.

Doesn't leave much

 

Quote from fenn68 on July 16, 2025, 7:48 am

Acutually Adam would get a better return than Suarez (my guess). Suarez may be the closer BUT every team knows he will opt out after the season and will keep their offers low ... probably lower than Suarez' value to the Padres and help them in the playoffs even as a short term player. Plus would expect ... like Suarez as a Closer or not ... introducing a new inexperience closer is a risk since a surprising number of good set-up men struggle in the closer role.

Adam is controlled through next season (and will be cheap for an elite RP in 2026 through ARB) ... that profile would induce a team to give up a better player than for Suarez. If the Padres believe in the "others" in the system to cover the loss of both Suarez and Adam for 2026 ... maybe a better 2025 plan.

Agree on Estrada ... but at minimum and controlled for years ... should generate a good return but maybe not as good as Adam ...

In the short run greater use of Morgan (looking impressive in limited work) and Reynolds back could keep the pen strong while moving one of the to RP.