Quote from fenn68 on September 8, 2020, 5:50 am

The front office probably were up all night trying to assess the options.

With Pham - Mejia - Campusano injured (each of whom would be the better option) they are probably thinking “short term” until one is ready.

As it stands, Ona (R) DH / Moreland (L) 1B .... but could see Garcia (L) at DH vs RHP (he does hit RHP well). Might try to figure out the better option vs LHP for the call-up. Really don’t want Garcia or Castro plus Moreland looks like he is really having a tough time vs LHP although they may just stick with Moreland and see if his “OK” history vs LHP kicks-in.

No good options but only short term .... add Rivas as back-up catcher frees up Nola to move to 1B vs LHP ... there is always Allen or Almonte (switch hitters) might allow Myers to move to 1B vs LHP. Would expect the Padres to see if Mateo can hit a bit ... so if Myers goes to 1B vs. LHP Mateo may play before Allen / Almonte.

Going to be a real mix and match couple of weeks.

Quote from fenn68 on September 8, 2020, 6:06 am

Think a successful return of Pham is now critical path issue ... he thrives on LHP and is a good hitter all around. Put him on DH ... leave Profar in LF (better fielder). With Moreland at 1B vs. RHP just leaves some maneuvering to cover 1B vs LHP.

Nola makes sense with when either Mejia or Campusano return to catch (would not want Castro vs. LHP ... sticking with Moreland would be better).

 

Quote from fenn68 on September 8, 2020, 7:05 am

Can't really guess whether Hosmer or Moreland would have kept their 2020 stats going forward but Moreland in for Hosmer MAY not be that big an issue ... other than hurting the DH role. Consider:

v. LHP:

Hosmer (40 AB) ... 200/256/400 (656 OPS)

Moreland (13 AB) ... 231/333/231 (564 OPS) ... pretty consistent with his history

v. RHP:

Hosmer (78 AB) ... 333/388/615 (1.004 OPS)

Moreland (73 AB) ... 288/381/671 (1.052 OPS) ... both a bit above their histories

So not a really big offensive issue but does highlight the need for a RHH option vs. LHP.

Quote from Brian Connelly on September 8, 2020, 9:27 am

With the 60-man pools "are what they are" at this point, seems like one of these 6 position players has to take Hosmer's active roster spot:    Mejia (S) ("suddenly ready"), Webster Rivas, Yonder Alonso (L), Jason Vosler (L), Abraham Almonte (S), or Greg Allen (S).

If choose to select someone, can move Yates to 45-IL.  Need to replace a LH bat, so Rivas out.  I would select Vosler.    He's an "ancient" (just turned 27) pending Minors FA 3B who played a lot of 1B last year.  Like France was, he is blocked by Manny & Hosmer, but he was also behind France, and now Moreland.  He WILL depart if Pads don't force the issue by adding him to 40-man.   Career 2,200 Minors AB:  .255 / .338 / .428 but much > in 2019 in El Paso, and had a nuclear hot Spring Training I.  Depth/insurance for Hosmer/Moreland next year too.

I'm sure Manny is going to lobby for Alonso, and get the "veteran in crunch time" thing, but ugggh...

For SHORT Term:

Position                               vs RHP                                                  vs LHP                                   

1B                                               Moreland (L)                                                   Profar (S)

LF                                              Profar (S)                                                          Mateo (R)

DH                                               Vosler (L)                                                        Ona (R)

Quote from Randy Manese on September 8, 2020, 10:05 am

We'll find out pretty soon, but my guess is one of the switch hitters, Mejia or Allen to provide some flexibility in the roster.  Vosler is a good thought but don't think they'll add someone to the 40 man who probably won't be on the playoff roster.

Quote from fenn68 on September 8, 2020, 11:12 am

The more I ponder .... Allen may be the better option now (if none of the IL guys are ready). Not so much as him playing a lot ... but his OF versatility allows for movement of Profar, Mateo, and Myers to fill holes.

RHP: Moreland (1B); Myers (RF); Garcia (DH) ... don’t see an issue there.

LHP: Myers (1B); Allen or Mateo (RF); Ona (DH) although might just stick with Moreland for the next week at 1B and keep Myers in RF.

Have to believe that one of Pham, Mejia, or Campusano will be ready in a week or so and all three can create some flexibility to add some RHH punch.

Quote from fenn68 on September 8, 2020, 12:15 pm

Broken left index finger is bad .... but just how bad? Might take a week to better understand.

Has to hinder Hosmer’s throwing (so even if he can return ... DH for the playoffs?)

How much does a broken left index finger hamper a LHH? Not good but can he play through that?

Given how we are struggling coming up with any legit replacement .... can Hosmer still be the better option ... at least as the DH vs. RHP?

Quote from Randy Manese on September 8, 2020, 1:13 pm

Moreland has to come out of his hitting slump sometime but the Padres' broadcasters underscored what I've been seeing - he's bailing out, more noticeably against LH pitching - so it's all upper body and arms; has led to K's and weak contact.  If he can't hit Gonzalez today, I'd start to get worried about how much he's going contribute down the stretch.  He's been around a long time so he should be able to self-correct and I'm sure the hitting coaches have told him to keep that right shoulder and hip in - we shall see.  Anxious to see how Clevinger does today - hard to beat the last few performances by the Padres' starters but he needs to get in that rotation rhythm for the playoffs.  I expect another well-pitched game from our side.  Go Padres!

Quote from Brian Connelly on September 8, 2020, 1:45 pm

Quote from Randy Manese on September 8, 2020, 1:13 pm

Moreland has to come out of his hitting slump sometime but the Padres' broadcasters underscored what I've been seeing - he's bailing out, more noticeably against LH pitching - so it's all upper body and arms; has led to K's and weak contact.  If he can't hit Gonzalez today, I'd start to get worried about how much he's going contribute down the stretch.  He's been around a long time so he should be able to self-correct and I'm sure the hitting coaches have told him to keep that right shoulder and hip in - we shall see.  Anxious to see how Clevinger does today - hard to beat the last few performances by the Padres' starters but he needs to get in that rotation rhythm for the playoffs.  I expect another well-pitched game from our side.  Go Padres!

Worth mentioning Moreland's 1st time in career (except Interleague play) in NL.  P's are all new.  I don't expect him to get back to nuclear level pre-trade, but think he'll be fine vs RHP