Quote from Brian Connelly on June 29, 2020, 1:07 pm

With 60-man sitting at 52 for Padres...   53 -almost sure to be Cole Wilcox.  54 - think they "hold" a slot open for a C; either Blake Hunt or more of a AAA guy. Makes them set at C.  55 - maybe also held open for another true RP if needed.

But there are already 15 SP's (counting Wilcox) & 12 RP's in the 60-man pool.  Only 3 of the SP's (Wilcox, Weathers, Cantill0) won't be in MLB, so that leaves 24 P's; 21 are on the 40-man roster, plus Gore & Patino likely to be added during season =23 of 24 (only guy not - Jerad Eickhoff - has 76 MLB starts).   I do NOT think Pads need to go with "17 Pitchers" on a 30-man roster with fresh (but maybe not fully stretched out) arms, with both the 3 batter rule AND "man on 2nd" in extra innings rules in place effectively limiting the # of P's & innings you need... it's ludicrous to carry THAT much depth when you can still option RP's up & down, and it's very obvious that guys categorized as "SP" are going to be used as RP in MLB this season with no Minors season; giving even more available "length" than a normal season despite there only being 60 games.

That leaves INF & OF for maybe all of the last 5 slots, and they are light on both of those with a lot of "prospects only" on the 60-man (Abrams (?), Marcano, Head, Hassell III).  One may go to Jorge Ona, and 2-3 likely to go to Dozier, Lagares, &/or Almonte.  Last 1-2 spots likely to the pool of AAA INF/utility?  Or Michael Gettys...?

 

Quote from Brian Connelly on June 29, 2020, 1:21 pm

With all the changes it's hard to keep the rules straight.  But I just read:  1)  The 3-batter minimum/RP rule is still in place (no more LOOGY's), and 2)  Re the "man on 2nd" in extra innings rule -- the player who made last out inning before is the runner and CAN be substituted for.... taken together, it's very significant.  Especially when playing half the season with more guys than normal on your roster.

The 3 batter rule effectively limits how many RP's you could possibly use in 1 game, and the man on 2nd rule is extremely likely to shorten extra innings games.  Therefore, can definitely justify using a 30 or 28th man on a pure pinch runner, but it would REALLY make sense if you could also put that guy in the field defensively.  Under these rules, you could literally have a guy help you win a game or 2 in (at least) the first 30 games without ever taking a MLB AB.

People have speculated Abrams in this role, but it would really screw up the timing of putting him on the 40-man & start burning his options.   I still maintain Michael Gettys would actually be perfect for this role; can essentially keep him away from the batter's box, but also improve your OF defense after he pinch runs or if protecting a lead late in a game.  For example, he might pinch run for another player, but the better OF bats that inning could still bat behind him, then he could take one of their places in the field (another player would have to enter the game too).   As rosters shrink, you could option him down, and it's not the "end of the world" if you have to DFA him to open a roster spot.   BUT the most likely beneficiary is Edward Olivares...  really need that defensive 6th OF anyway.

The 'shrinking' from 30 to 28 to 26 works against the Minors FA who have no options left making the O.D. roster

Quote from fenn68 on July 1, 2020, 9:00 am

The addition of Mateo ... and the rules surrounding the 60 man ... coupled with the need for legit back-up for injury / COVID IL cases .... may make it strategic to option both France and Cronenworth ... because they can and keep them.

Mateo, Profar, Garcia, and Valera are all out of options and likely only Valera would clear waivers. Padres go with Profar (2B) and back-up INF of Mateo and Garcia to start the season? France and Cronenworth on the call-up shuttle?

With the DH ... very little need for PH / double switches and given the expected starting line-up very little need for platooning in the INF ... better to preserve depth on the taxi squad to cover injuries than sitting the bench for France and Cronenworth?

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I guess there is an outside chance ... given Mateo’s ability to play OF .... IF Cordero or Naylor or even Grisham struggle in Summer Camp or as the season starts before the trim downs to 26 ... one of them could be dispatched to the taxi squad to get their swing back. IF the Padres are serious about contending ... and the short season ... can really afford to nurse a player who is struggling (if there is an alternative).

Quote from Brian Connelly on July 1, 2020, 12:50 pm

With Wilcox signed = #53, and now "INF/OF?" Mateo = #54, I love where Pads are at with regard to their 60-man pool.

Mateo really filled a defensive / player need at potentially both 2B & OF, making him a 2 for 1.

Ona should definitely be added to 60-man to get work & develop since he missed almost all of last season.  But not an O.D. roster consideration, so can add him later, even when/after season starts.  That = #55.

There is no P or C remaining in system that would be anything but a depth option.  Keep those spots open = #56 & #57.

I think Mateo effectively "blocks" these players from being added before season to 60-man pool:   Brian Dozier, Ivan Castillo, & Michael Gettys.  With:  Profar, Garcia, Mateo, Cronenworth, Owen Miller, & Valera ALL going to get looks at 2B, I don't see how Dozier fits into the picture unless it's instead of Profar?   Castillo is Mateo's opposite:  Better offensive option as Switch/superior hitter (but doesn't walk much), but Mateo > power, defense, arm, & especially speed.  He is a possible "open spot" add later depending on injuries & roster moves.  Mateo fills the "Gettys" role I suggested as significant contributor with few AB's; they know what Gettys can/can't do, but Mateo will need time/looks in OF.

So still 3  spots open... but for who?  The 2 possible remaining needs would be: 1) Backup/depth CF & 2) RH DH option vs LHP....  Mateo may even play some CF, but doubt he would he start if Grisham not available.  Maybe enough of an opening for Lagares or less likely Almonte?

I suspect Pads may look to add a non-40 man roster guy as a DH possibility from outside the system.  Only guy possible in system is Mejias-Brean who did get the walkoff hit twice I think as a Sept callup.  "Sort of" the RH who could DH or start for Hosmer vs LHP, but a spot they could upgrade with maybe a Minors FA type losing his spot elsewhere?  Jason Vosler had a great ST I, but he's LH & doesn't seem to fit.

Quote from Ben Davey on July 1, 2020, 1:49 pm

Reports are that Dozier opted out of the season and that is why he didnt make the list.

Quote from fenn68 on July 2, 2020, 8:30 am

Valera was claimed off waivers by Toronto. A couple of days ago Munoz was officially put on the 45 day IL to make room for Mateo.

So, the 40 man roster now sits at 39 .... so some wiggle room for a non-roster player to make the opening day 30 or another trade addition.

Quote from Brad Mills on July 2, 2020, 10:06 am

Jose Quintana out for a while after cutting his hand.

 

Could the Padres be a trade partner for Lucchessi, Davies, or Q? Anybody in their farm worth trading for? Anytime a player goes down I imagine Preller is the first to call

Quote from Brian Connelly on July 2, 2020, 10:42 am

Quote from fenn68 on July 2, 2020, 8:30 am

Valera was claimed off waivers by Toronto. A couple of days ago Munoz was officially put on the 45 day IL to make room for Mateo.

So, the 40 man roster now sits at 39 .... so some wiggle room for a non-roster player to make the opening day 30 or another trade addition.

Toronto is the team we claimed him from!   Valera as a SH INF with his offensive profile was a lock to be claimed.  I would be surprised if he is NOT on Toronto (or another MLB team's) O.D. 30-man roster.

Valera has the better hit tool, but all Mateo's other tools are slightly to vastly superior & he's only 25 (vs 28) so pushes Valera out.  Timing is interesting, but Mateo's going to make the O.D. roster, and needs every offensive/defensive rep he can get.  Pads would have inevitably needed that 40-man spot during the season.  It will be interesting to see how he & Valera do/contribute relatively to their teams.

If Brian Dozier is really opting out of playing as has been speculated, the position player picture is getting clearer:

This season 5-man bench IF a normal 26-man roster:     Mejia (S), Garcia (L), Mateo, Naylor (L), Cordero (L)       Bold = no options

Candidates for 1 Min, 2 Max additional spots on 30-man roster:   Torrens, France, Cronenworth (L), Olivares, ?? Lagares &/or Almonte

Won't necessarily parse back down to that 5-man bench, but if Pads keep all 3 no options guys all season, and are OK with Mateo as a defensive OF, it's likely.  If they add Minors FA say Lagares, then either Naylor or Cordero would likely go down when back to 26-man.

On paper it sure looks like Cronenworth (L) & Mateo might replace Profar (S) & Garcia (L) next year as a much cheaper 2B platoon...

 

 

Quote from MrPadre19 on July 2, 2020, 11:04 am

Quote from Brad Mills on July 2, 2020, 10:06 am

Jose Quintana out for a while after cutting his hand.

 

Could the Padres be a trade partner for Lucchessi, Davies, or Q? Anybody in their farm worth trading for? Anytime a player goes down I imagine Preller is the first to call

Cubs don't have anyone that thrills me anyway.

But AJ may like some of the younger farther away guys?