Quote from fenn68 on August 8, 2020, 4:10 pm

Hosmer activated .... Almonte optioned.

 

Quote from fenn68 on August 10, 2020, 9:45 am

Saw Cassavell's "speculation" as to the top 5 prospects for call-up in 2020 .... it is speculation so not something the lock into but some of the commentary was informative:

1. Mateo .... he is working at the alternative site both in the INF and the OF. Sounded as thought they are just waiting until he is in shape and he would be added. Not sure who would get optioned to make room ... Olivares? France?
2. Morejon ... apparently (as was Patino) a favorite at the alternative site for his work there. IF a LH relief pitcher is needed he seems to be the option. If Hill does not get it together ... maybe then?
3. Gore ... starting pitcher option but has been lacking control / command at the alternative site but seeming getting back to form.
4. Weathers (surprised me) ... fascinated with his FB velocity jumping for the low 90s to 95-97 plus he does have those secondary pitchers ... downside not having pitched above low A.
5. Baez ... RP option.

Not really an issue of Cassavell being on target with the names ... but some of the commentary might set the table for future actions.

Quote from Randy Manese on August 10, 2020, 12:13 pm

In my opinion, Mateo is more like Olivares than he is like France.  France is not a superior defender at either 3rd, 1st or even 2nd but he is the back-up emergency catcher.  Olivares can only play the OF and hasn't shown that he can make adjustments in a game to contribute consistently.  Looks like Tingler likes the Profar/Cronenworth split at 2nd base so it could be Mateo comes up primarily to play the OF and Olivares goes down for some additional seasoning.

I see Morejon as more of a long relief guy, something like what Patino is doing now.  With 4 or possibly 5 of our starters being RH and wanting to save Pomeranz for high leverage situations and Hill for that one critical lefty out, need to have someone to support Strahm in that role.  Again, Perdomo seeks the likely guy to go down if Morejon comes up unless he surprises today with a strong outing.  Only other guy I see on the bubble is Hill OR they can DFA Stammen, if his velocity starts to wane and he starts giving up HRs.  I don't think Guerra or Johnson are going anywhere.  To me Quantrill or Patino will grab that 5th starter spot with the other the long relief option.  Don't see Lucchesi coming back any time soon nor any of the other pitchers Cassavell mentions in his article.

Quote from Brian Connelly on August 10, 2020, 3:32 pm

It's either France or Olivares if/when Mateo comes up (after LAD series?)... but don't see how you can field a 28 man roster with only 3 "true" OF even if Mateo & Profar are OF "capable"...  So IMO, it's France who will go down.

Quote from fenn68 on August 10, 2020, 4:02 pm

Quote from Brian Connelly on August 10, 2020, 3:32 pm

It's either France or Olivares if/when Mateo comes up (after LAD series?)... but don't see how you can field a 28 man roster with only 3 "true" OF even if Mateo & Profar are OF "capable"...  So IMO, it's France who will go down.

Could be after the LAD series (easy to get him added and off to AZ) but I targeting when they return from the road trip on Wednesday the 19th.

The decider may be if Tingler wants to continue the pulling Mejia for defense or pulling Hedges for offense mid-game. If so, can't afford to option France. Then get to that situation when they have to use Myers behind the plate even for a couple of innings. Long odds ... but? I could be possible to see the odds as remote given they do that only in selected games and only for a couple of innings.

On one hand France "appears" to be the better RHH for PH/DH/1B. Olivares gives the OF defense (we really don't know Mateo's ability in the OF ... or ML hitting ... but speed he has) and when Pham-Grisham-Myers need a day off (or DH) who do you want in the OF ... Olivares or Mateo?

Not going to be an "easy" call and has the chance of being a 50/50 right/wrong in hindsight.

Quote from Brian Connelly on August 11, 2020, 1:06 am

You can't keep a guy on a 28-man roster with a travelling taxi squad that includes a 40-man Catcher just because he might be needed as an emergency C?   The probability is too low... a few innings every other game on average.  The probability of needing the elite speed is much more likely.  Even if did have to use Myers @ C, the next game the replacement would be there.

Quote from fenn68 on August 11, 2020, 7:06 am

Quote from Brian Connelly on August 11, 2020, 1:06 am

You can't keep a guy on a 28-man roster with a travelling taxi squad that includes a 40-man Catcher just because he might be needed as an emergency C?   The probability is too low... a few innings every other game on average.  The probability of needing the elite speed is much more likely.  Even if did have to use Myers @ C, the next game the replacement would be there.

Agree the "back-up" catcher should not be a major factor. Might hinge on who they want as the best RHH on the bench for PH/DH over speed and OF back-up (especially if they are OK with Mateo / Profar). Olivares may have a better future but in 2020 France maybe be a better bat (remember he was very impressive in AAA last season).

Dominoes ... if Cronenworth solidifies his role at 2B ... Profar goes to super utility ... Mateo gets added as super utility 2.0 ... weakens the immediate use of the inexperienced Olivares. Another case where he likely will re-emerge in 2021 in the OF as Profar is let go to FA.

 

Quote from Brian Connelly on August 11, 2020, 10:30 am

Quote from fenn68 on August 11, 2020, 7:06 am

Quote from Brian Connelly on August 11, 2020, 1:06 am

You can't keep a guy on a 28-man roster with a travelling taxi squad that includes a 40-man Catcher just because he might be needed as an emergency C?   The probability is too low... a few innings every other game on average.  The probability of needing the elite speed is much more likely.  Even if did have to use Myers @ C, the next game the replacement would be there.

Agree the "back-up" catcher should not be a major factor. Might hinge on who they want as the best RHH on the bench for PH/DH over speed and OF back-up (especially if they are OK with Mateo / Profar). Olivares may have a better future but in 2020 France maybe be a better bat (remember he was very impressive in AAA last season).

Dominoes ... if Cronenworth solidifies his role at 2B ... Profar goes to super utility ... Mateo gets added as super utility 2.0 ... weakens the immediate use of the inexperienced Olivares. Another case where he likely will re-emerge in 2021 in the OF as Profar is let go to FA.

 

I don't know... I get that France's bat may be "better" than Olivares, but feel like you're arguing for keeping a highly unlikely to be used for 1 game for 2 innings emergency C, and 3B/1B who is utterly buried & only going to play as DH... vs LHP?

In a playoff race with 43 to go, I think I want a true 4th OF capable of covering all 3 positions.  The "DH" can come from all over the field using regular position players... including the OF, but don't want to go through entire games earmarking Mateo or Profar to have to be an injury fill in all over the OF...   Yes, that OF could be recalled from the taxi squad the next day too (like the 3rd C), but just feels limiting in game to me.

Quote from Randy Manese on August 11, 2020, 10:48 am

France and Olivares have had almost identical opportunities to play, i.e., 8 games and 23/24 ABs.  Olivares has struck out 11 times in those ABs while France has only struck out 5.  From an offensive standpoint, if you're looking to put the ball in play, you want France at the plate despite his lack of foot speed.  Defensively, you have to give it to Olivares, however, just like our top 3 starters aren't going to be replaced often, our top 3 OFs are probably going to be out there a huge percentage of the time.  Would be great to get another veteran OF to add to the mix but so far not seeing much movement among teams to make trades in this short season.  The other issue is do we really need Mateo at this point in time?  If you bring him up, you cannot send him down without exposing him to a waiver claim.  Why not just keep both France and Olivares up until a real need arises (injury?), which hopefully it won't?