Quote from fenn68 on July 14, 2020, 3:25 pm

The Padres announced Tuesday that a trio of veteran players have elected free agency. Outfielder Juan Lagares and right-handers Kyle Barraclough and Seth Frankoffare all returning to the open market and will now be free to sign with new clubs. None of the three had been included in San Diego’s player pool.

Quote from Brian Connelly on July 14, 2020, 3:32 pm

So guess those 3 guys "opted  out".  Likely told not being added imminently to Padres 60-man pool.  Only Minors FA signed this offseason (not incl guys who re-upped) not in pool that were in ST now are:  OF - Almonte & RP's - Yacabonis, Chih-Wei Hu, & Chase Johnson.

Quote from MrPadre19 on July 14, 2020, 3:53 pm

Quote from Brian Connelly on July 14, 2020, 12:44 pm

re Sanchez point... NYY have an overwhelming offensive lineup he just adds more to.  Defensive liabilities don't matter too much when you score 8 runs a game

Plus they don’t have the clear best defensive catcher In baseball on their roster as an option.

 

Quote from fenn68 on July 14, 2020, 4:52 pm

Quote from MrPadre19 on July 14, 2020, 3:53 pm

Quote from Brian Connelly on July 14, 2020, 12:44 pm

re Sanchez point... NYY have an overwhelming offensive lineup he just adds more to.  Defensive liabilities don't matter too much when you score 8 runs a game

Plus they don’t have the clear best defensive catcher In baseball on their roster as an option.

 

Probably helps that over the past 3 years Sanchez has an 8.3 (avg 2.7) WAR while Hedges has a 5.5 (1.8 avg) WAR.

Maybe in the NYY case ... Sanchez' offensive contribution more than offsets his mediocre defense and probably would not deal Sanchez for Hedges.  It still is a balance of offense and defense. However, doubt the Padres can stake claim to that same logic with Mejia (yet) since his offense is not near Sanchez'.

Oddly I do want strong defense at the catcher slot (so not a big fan of Mejia) BUT the good defensive catcher has to contribute something offensively (so not a big fan of Hedges). Up to Tingler to manage the use of both to get the best opponent match-ups (both will play like it or not in 2020).

Both are on short strings ... and not sure about Campusano before 2022. Can Torrens bump one of Hedges / Mejia out in 2021? Should be a better hitter than Hedges and better defensively than Mejia based on reports. Or do the Padres search an interim upgrade at catcher (no idea who).

Quote from MrPadre19 on July 14, 2020, 6:25 pm

I wasn’t saying Hedges is more valuable than Sanchez.

Just that they don’t have the offense vs. Defense question in the same way we do.

Quote from Ben Davey on July 14, 2020, 9:13 pm

Re Hedges: It doesnt matter if they are Ozzie Smith if they have a .500 OPS it is really hard to say they deserve to be a starter.  MAYBE if they were Yadier Molina with a great ability behind the plate and a cannon for an arm, but thats not Hedges.  I dont deny that Hedges is good, but I dont think he is much above average when it comes to CS% or blocking the plate.  He is an excellent pitch framer, but nothing else as well above average.  Before you disagree, CS% among active players, where do you think he ranks?  1st?  Top 5?  Top 10?  Top 20?  Molina is 1st, followed by Perez and Realmuto.  Hedges is 15th!  Thats not bad among all active players (min 100 SB attempts), but is that elite?  Yes, I know that is only one part of catching, but its the easiest and most tangible.

And for Mejia that .810 number comes from his career average in the minors, .750 was last year. Is it too hard to imagine that given more regular playing time he can hit closer to his minor league average?  I think he can.  Even .750 would make him one of the top players on the Padres.  Combine him with the others, and the Padres can be a great offensive team.

Re: Campy:  Great player, I think he is trade bait.  Trade a top 50 prospect for a top 50 prospect.  Let Torrens and Mejia be the two headed monster.

Quote from Ben Davey on July 14, 2020, 9:17 pm

If we assume that Paddack is the opening day starter, then so far the rotation looks like

1. Paddack
2. Lamet
3. Richards

   Whoever starts tomorrow and Thursday should be in line for the #4 and 5 starter spots.  I believe Davies is scheduled to start tomorrow.

Quote from JasonE135 on July 15, 2020, 12:47 am

Quote from Ben Davey on July 14, 2020, 9:13 pm

Re Hedges: It doesnt matter if they are Ozzie Smith if they have a .500 OPS it is really hard to say they deserve to be a starter.  MAYBE if they were Yadier Molina with a great ability behind the plate and a cannon for an arm, but thats not Hedges.  I dont deny that Hedges is good, but I dont think he is much above average when it comes to CS% or blocking the plate.  He is an excellent pitch framer, but nothing else as well above average.  Before you disagree, CS% among active players, where do you think he ranks?  1st?  Top 5?  Top 10?  Top 20?  Molina is 1st, followed by Perez and Realmuto.  Hedges is 15th!  Thats not bad among all active players (min 100 SB attempts), but is that elite?  Yes, I know that is only one part of catching, but its the easiest and most tangible.

And for Mejia that .810 number comes from his career average in the minors, .750 was last year. Is it too hard to imagine that given more regular playing time he can hit closer to his minor league average?  I think he can.  Even .750 would make him one of the top players on the Padres.  Combine him with the others, and the Padres can be a great offensive team.

Re: Campy:  Great player, I think he is trade bait.  Trade a top 50 prospect for a top 50 prospect.  Let Torrens and Mejia be the two headed monster.

Caught stealing can be greatly affected by the pitcher. As far as what is in the catchers power to control, that is pop time. The time from when the ball hits the catchers glove to when it hits the 2B glove. That is all about a quick transfer, quick release and strong arm. In that Hedges was 4th(really tied for 3rd) in mlb last year. Realmuto-1.88, Rogers-1.91, Contreras and Hedges-1.92. So he is premium. Mejia, with his 80-grade arm, comes in at #9 to #11 with a 1.95. Also Hedges is graded as far-and-away the best pitch framer in mlb. So yes, Hedges has a lot going for him defensively.

Quote from fenn68 on July 15, 2020, 6:54 am

Looked at stats on "qualified" starting catchers over the past 3 seasons. 19 players .... Hedges is sitting right at the median ... 10th.

Obviously his defense is the plus factor ... he rated 2nd (behind Grandal) and, if you accept the statistical calculation for dWAR he (and about 5 others) are significantly above the median (10th place).

He loses all that advantage with his offense. the median wRC+ was 96 .... Hedges was dead last (19th) at 68. He was also dead last in BA, OBP, and 17th in SLG.

Thin crust vs. deep dish type debate ... like what you like. Net he has been a middle of the road starting catcher (that is not bad). His survival (as the clear #1 starter) will depend on the viability of the alternatives and the need for offense based on the rest of the line-up.

=====

Surprisingly found a comp for Hedges ..... Martin Maldonado. Maldonado delivered a 5.8 WAR (8th best) vs. Hedges at 5.5 (10th best).

Both were top line defensively with Hedges 2nd and Maldonado 3rd. Both stunk up the place offensively with Hedges 19th and Maldonado 18th.