Quote from Brian Connelly on July 31, 2020, 10:53 am

Last year Mejia got injured in May, rehabbed in El Paso, then got optioned down on June 1st.  He was recalled June 17th.  Wouldn't that "use" his last option?  I thought it had been reported widely that he was out of options?  If so, Roster resource might be wrong on some others, too.   For example, they show Olivares with 2, but he was optioned to AA before ST I ended, then recalled for O.D.

ANYway, despite our C's being:  0 - 23 with 8 K, 1 BB, 1 RBI, 2 RS; AND our hottest hitter out 1/2 the games, in MLB Pads are:

• #1 in Runs by a wide margin (44; #2 = 38)
• #1 in BB (37; #2 = 35)
• T-#2 in OBP (.359; #4 = .348)
• #5 in OPS (.787; #4 = .800)

... Offense right now is the least of our worries.    It's WAY too early for a panic move like this.  Hedges is .278 (5-18) vs Gray, I'd start him today.  Also, in Colorado, facing 2-3 RHP, with Hosmer ailing, they positively need to get Naylor some AB.  He's got to be 1B/DH today.  Entire team (this means you, Myers!) will really have to work to be patient vs good P in Colorado.  If they can get more offensively out of C (inevitable) & DH, and hopefully healthy Hosmer soon, should be in great shape.

So far, the "Hedges value higher with a DH" theory has panned out.  I have no issue with Hedges coming in Defensively; he's elite. But I think the mistake might be doing a 50-50 every other start split.  At LEAST give each guy 2 starts in a row if you're doing that.  But Mejia has offensive potential, Hedges doesn't.  He "can't do any worse" than Hedges offensively.  I'd slant the starts to him 65-35%, but with Hedges frequently entering games late to protect leads; would probably work out around 60-40 Mejia...

 

Quote from fenn68 on July 31, 2020, 12:16 pm

As I recall Roster Resource does NOT update the options remaining if the option was this year ... sticks with the pre-season number. So that would explain the Olivares number not be changes for the early season option used.

I thought Mejia was out of options too ... so?

Add: checked his transactions page and it appears he was optioned in 2017 - 2018 - 2019 ... that would put him out of options unless there was something unusual in the rules about being optioned for only 16 days after a rehab / IL? Don’t know of any “exceptions” but MLB rules are complicated.

Quote from fenn68 on July 31, 2020, 12:39 pm

Think another couple of weeks before moves are really considered ... a week is not a lot of time to have a read of a player who is “hot” or “cold” even in a short season. Not as though the alternative site players are clearly better (other than by our hope) and they are just in “intra-squad games” .. so probably not in top game shape (Belt for SF really looked off on his timing hitting .. and he is a quality ML player ... just returning for layoff).

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Padres are winning with an under preforming RP and, as I see it, a marginal defense overall. Plus SP and quality offense (something I have said in a long time re the Padres) are carrying them. Rare for any team to have all those elements working at the same time ... so winning with only two working is good.

Need to be prepared (and have hope) that when the RP gets it act together .... the SP and offense does not regress but likely some regression is expected. If the balance plays out right ... the Padres will still be winning.

Quote from Randy Manese on July 31, 2020, 12:48 pm

Fangraphs had Mejia with 1 option and Hedges with 2, but don't think either will be optioned.  Having watched every game, I don't think Mejia has played bad defense - he's blocked every pitched, no passed balls, did an adequate job of framing and controlled the running game.  He's basically getting many of the pitches called from the dugout but number of shake offs seem the same as when Hedges is in.  I like the idea of Hedges as the catcher "closer" and I don't think Mejia has any problem with that - universally acknowledged that Hedges is special "behind" the plate.  On the other hand, Hedges is dismal at the plate while Mejia has had much better swings and looks even though the results haven't been there.

We do need one more reliable LHB in the line-up against righty's especially if Hosmer is out for an extended period.  Naylor should be that guy but hasn't been so far.  Olivares was overmatched against RHP last night - it was bound to happen.  I'm still for putting Mejia at DH when he doesn't catch against RHPs and bringing up Torrens as the back-up catcher.  Only other person I'd think of that's on the current roster is Trammell but not yet.  There might be somebody Preller is looking for as a short-term investment before the trade deadline if we lose Hosmer's bat for several weeks.

Quote from MrPadre19 on July 31, 2020, 1:19 pm

We don't have to option a catcher to bring in Torrens if both keep struggling.

We can run with three catchers if necessary and option someone else like Naylor for instance....or Bednar.

If Hedges and Mejia continue to go 0'fer I gotta believe that will happen.

Even if winning...you cant have any 1 position being completely unproductive if you have any other option.

 

Quote from fenn68 on July 31, 2020, 1:39 pm

If the Padres need a LHH in 2020 for a playoff run ... not likely they would go to Trammell (or Almonte). Probably work a lot to get the max out of Mejia, Garcia, Cronenworth, and Naylor ABs to hope at least one provides some consistent offense.

The trade market is a real speculative issue. 16 teams in the playoffs probably means 20-22 teams are not sellers (of any quality LHH). Then the remaining teams ... who are by definition bad ... may want to sell but do they have anything worth buying? Then if they do ... are there 16 -22 bidding the price up way past value?

Padres (and maybe most teams) have the issue of the non-active on the 60 pool are a mix of quality prospects ( who they don’t want to trade for a quick fix) and non-quality journeymen (no one wants them). Add that no one wants to take on a big contract going forward.

Preller will be working the phones to be sure. One possible route is dealing from the active roster for someone on another contender team’s active roster ... maybe both dealing from a presumed strength to fill a known black hole. Too early to speculate but IF the Padres starters are killing it and they think they have a next player up to start ... dealing a SP (always in big need) might get something done for a good LHH.

Not betting on an impact trade in this environment.

Quote from Randy Manese on July 31, 2020, 3:01 pm

If Boston struggles, could be a trade partner by mid-August.  A long shot, but stranger things have happened.  Carrying way too much salary and injuries and a relatively poor farm system might take them out of a playoff spot this year and in the future.  They are especially shallow in pitching.

Quote from Randy Manese on July 31, 2020, 3:11 pm

It's very early and both Cleveland and Tampa Bay having winning records, but our previous OF starters have the following OBP - Reyes (.267), Renfroe (.208) and Margot (.200).  Current OF starters have OBP of - Myers (.414), Pham (.387) and Grisham (.387).  With the exception of Myers, these are typical numbers for all these players.  I expect Myers' numbers to plunge dramatically but if he can just be at his career average of .328, in this line-up he can still contribute and be productive if he keeps his K's in check.

Quote from fenn68 on July 31, 2020, 3:25 pm

Quote from Randy Manese on July 31, 2020, 3:01 pm

If Boston struggles, could be a trade partner by mid-August.  A long shot, but stranger things have happened.  Carrying way too much salary and injuries and a relatively poor farm system might take them out of a playoff spot this year and in the future.  They are especially shallow in pitching.

Good call .... and the name Benintendi should be on the table. LHH with good OBP history ... controlled in 2021 and 2022 and "only" $6.6MM next year (affordable).

Padres have SP not named Gore or Patino that could start the ball rolling ... and some position players. A lot of good prospects ... near ML ready / or there already  .... long control and low cost. Could see a multiple player for Benintendi deal. Dealing from the "60" should not be a problem to generate the talent.

Fitting Benintendi into RF ... sliding Myers to DH/1B/RF as needed might firm up the offense and defense.

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Boston will have a lot of trouble making the playoffs with that SP staff (defections and injuries has made it near the worst in MLB). Plus beating out NYY and TB for the guaranteed 1st and 2nd place slots would be a long shot under any scenario. So, looks to me as though they are looking at one of the two wild card slots at best and given the bottom feeders in the AL they do have a shot if they don't fall out early.