Quote from fenn68 on August 3, 2020, 3:23 pm

Did not expect this NOW:

The Padres have selected the contract of outfielder Abraham Almonte, as Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune was among those to cover on Twitter. He’ll take the active roster spot of righty Jerad Eickhoff, who was optioned down.

Might be interesting to see if he stays on the active roster at the expense of Olivares or Naylor or France when (if) Hosmer returns and then when the roster start to drop.

Quote from fenn68 on August 3, 2020, 3:26 pm

Quote from fenn68 on August 3, 2020, 3:23 pm

Did not expect this NOW:

The Padres have selected the contract of outfielder Abraham Almonte, as Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune was among those to cover on Twitter. He’ll take the active roster spot of righty Jerad Eickhoff, who was optioned down.

Might be interesting to see if he stays on the active roster at the expense of Olivares or Naylor or France when (if) Hosmer returns and then when the roster start to drop.

I was surprised but per RosterResource Almonte HAS a minor league option ... so can be on the shuttle for USD to PETCO as needed.

Quote from fenn68 on August 3, 2020, 3:34 pm

Note: the 40 man roster sits at 39 by my count but still includes Castillo who they have not placed on the 45 day IL ... so actually room for 2 more adds if needed before any DFA/releases.

Quote from fenn68 on August 3, 2020, 3:42 pm

Kevin Acee

Rosters will go down to 28 on Thursday, as scheduled. But the expectation is they will stay there and not drop to 26 on 8/20 as initially scheduled. Also, taxi squad will be 5 players, up from current 3.

Quote from Randy Manese on August 3, 2020, 9:51 pm

If this is the case, then I see Bednar with either Olivares or Naylor going down.  Almonte had some good swings today and is a switch hitter, so from that standpoint no advantage to either.  Olivares, however, a much better OF defender than either Almonte or Naylor.  So my guess is that Bednar and Naylor go down but Naylor may be back if Almonte stumbles and/or Hosmer is not ready to play later this week.  If we bring up Torrens and stick Mejia at DH/OF with an occasional start at C then Naylor has no place on the roster.  When Hosmer comes back, if Cronenworth is still hot, then he replaces Profar at 2b.  Tingler likes Profar and Profar is a battler, but he's got to show his worth by getting on base and working the count like he did in the first few games of the same.

 

Quote from Brian Connelly on August 4, 2020, 12:27 am

I just thought of something.  It's a little too early, but maybe Profar's roster spot is at risk altogether...

... He's making 5.7 MM prorated.  When 48 games remain that's still almost 1.7 MM for a guy badly struggling who's a free agent next year.   So if Pads DFA him while he's struggling....   no other team will claim him.  If they did, $ wise it would help.  I think he could elect FA, but if no team claimed him, why should he?  Then wouldn't he just revert back to being in our player pool?   Could be brought back up at any time & still receive same pay up or 'down'.  Am I missing something?

Profar's long AB definitely at times have helped the lineup as a whole, but he's so far been unable to make anything happen with all the 2 strike counts he gets into.  Defense OK but nothing special, and I get nervous every time he throws...

Quote from fenn68 on August 4, 2020, 7:28 am

Well as of now Tingler is still strongly behind Profar ... despite his BA/OBP ... based on his post game comments yesterday. Seems as though he is still seeing quality ABs with working the counts and enough solid contact to consider the results a victim of “bad luck” ... only 6 K in 40 plate appearances.

I am sure there is a breaking point where he loses the 2B starting role ... just no idea when that comes. If not starting ... still his versatility keeps him around on the bench.

Seems no desire to drop Garcia into a starting role .... Mateo is a gamble since hitting is not his strong point and has never played in the ML ... that leaves them with Cronenworth who may be at least getting more 2B time when Hosmer returns.

Like what I have seen with Cronenworth ... but not seen a lot of AB and even less vs LHP, so the jury is still out (but in the post game clearly Tingler is impressed).

======

On the other point of DFA of Profar .... given the attrition of players in MLB (COVID / opt outs / injuries) very good chance he would get claimed since teams know he is a FA after the season so no long term commitment.

Even from Profar’s view, if he clears waivers he will still get paid and effectively the Padres have just told him he does not fit for the future .... so why not be paid and be safe at home rather than being confined to an alternative site with a bunch of non-ML kids with the risk of being injured. Doubt that changes he FA status for next winter.

Quote from Brian Connelly on August 4, 2020, 8:29 am

Cronenworth is the backup SS, and after yesterday, definitely a better option @ 1B than France, Naylor, maybe even Myers.

As a strong armed SS, have to believe he's a better defender @ 2B than Garcia, and much more power/upside offensively.

Leaves 3B with France (maybe?) as the only INF position where JC isn't the primary backup.

Hosmer may DH some when he initially returns, but when he's back to 1B everyday, JC should start getting some starts @ 2B vs RHP.  Profar has to step it up to not end up on the short side of a platoon.

Quote from Brian Connelly on August 4, 2020, 8:39 am

I thought I remembered Hedges was a miserably slow starter, so I dug this up:   Last 3 Aprils (1st mo):  BA / OBP

• 2017      .203 / .256
• 2018     .188 / .246
• 2019      .127 / .172

3 now 4 year downward trend.  ...But some "positive" impact on his performance the rest of the time 🙂

Last night he showed his value.  Got framing calls, took a beating/foul tips, blocking balls, pickoff @ 3B.

Say this out loud:  "in a playoff series, who am I starting at C?  Mejia or Hedges?"....