Quote from fenn68 on November 23, 2022, 8:25 am

Not convinced that Tatis can be protected from injury no matter the position. His injuries have been in his legs, back, shoulder, wrist ... hard to avoid use of all those body parts. Plus he will be batting and running bases which can lead to those injuries.

Padres paid a premium for his full range of skills not just he bat ... speed and arm are valuable.

I would take the risk on injury and deploy him where his skills are on full display ... at least for now at his young age. The specific position will be a product of the fielding limitations of the added bats.

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Quote from BoosterSD on November 23, 2022, 10:02 am

Once again, I think most are not underestimating the intricacies of playing 1B. Its not a simple as catching a thrown ball with your foot on the bag. There is learning when to go for a ground ball, and when to go to the bag. There is holding on the runner, and taking pick offs from the pitcher. There is leading the pitcher on ground balls. And if you think he is not going to be diving at 1B, take a moment and think about all the hot shots coming off LHH bats, especially when covering the bag with runners on, he will still dive a lot. Not to mention it is an entirely different glove than he has probably never even used in his life!

Yes, physically he has attributes that you love at 1B, tall, long arms, and the ability to grab the ball out of the sky on high throws. But fielding short hops on throws are different than fielding hit ground balls, and I really doubt that you want him to come back, trying to earn the trust of teammates, perform to make the fans happy, all the while learning a new position with a new glove.

Plus it really wastes his speed and arm.

The smart move is either SS or in the OF; like Fenn said, based on who SD signs/trades for during the winter. If its an OFer, Tatis is back at SS, and Kim and Crone slide right. If its a 1B, then Tatis takes either LF or RF.

And even though Tatis is athletic and talented, he is not a utility player, pick one spot and leave him there for the season.

And most importantly, dont forget he injured his back in 2019, when stretching like a 1B for a thrown ball.  

Quote from MrPadre19 on November 23, 2022, 10:53 am

I believe where Tatis plays will be completely dependent on who AJ is able to acquire.

If he brings in a middle infielder (Trea Turner as example though isn’t happening) then he will not be at SS.

If they bring in Abreu (or another 1b) it won’t be 1b.

IMO AJ doesn’t even know where he will play yet…just knowing he “could” play SS/OF/DH/1B is enough to give him freedom to get the best bat possible at almost any position.

This situation should become much clearer once we actually add a player or two.

 

Quote from fenn68 on November 23, 2022, 11:58 am

I keep shifting around on where to deploy Tatis for the best advantage for the club ... clearly his flexibility for SS or OF makes the deployment interrelated with the position of the Preller add ... OF or 1B.

The add by Preller should be evaluated as more than a bat for 2023 an address flexibly, cost, and the future of that add in relationship to future options. Plus, the ability to sign the target.

If I were in Preller's shoes, would prioritize Benintendi for LF (and for 4 years ... young and good with no near term internal options). If needed he can play all three OF slots (at least adequately) and DH. Plus a LHH with a high OBP (lead-off) and one of the better defensive LF last season. That check multiple boxes for the 2023 Padres.

That would send Tatis to SS where his overall skill set would be showcased (and live with his throwing errors until he improves ... if it has not already) and slide Kim and Croney over. Also, a side worry about Tatis in the OF (where he as to learn a lot and did not look that good in his brief appearances) is that he would get bored (think Myers). He needs to be in the heart of things to maximize his attention (as did Myers needing to be at 1B for best production).

Make those moves and Padres are in a position where a lot of options would open up for the bench/DH slots. Already with a plus plus offense ... don't really need to spend up for that 9th slot in the line-up and turn the available money towards that missing SP. Having seen Melvin likes to rotate starters through the DH slot for rest can avoid a 1B/DH type and opt for maybe multiple field position players (low cost) for the cost of a major 1B/DH hulk.

So, for today, I am in the Tatis to SS camp. Now tomorrow???????????

 

 

Quote from BoosterSD on November 23, 2022, 1:13 pm

I can buy everyone of those arguments. And then turn around tomorrow and believe that Tatis would be the best LFer or RFer in the ML.

Quote from MrPadre19 on November 23, 2022, 5:26 pm

He has the talent and ability to be the best at any position IMO.

Which doesn’t do a thing to clarify where he will play in 23’.

 

Quote from MrPadre19 on December 20, 2022, 12:28 pm

Looking at next seasons schedule it's kind of a bummer that 14 of the 20 games Nando will miss are against the Braves,Mets and Brewers.

Sure would prefer to be at full strength for those.

Also,I'm going to try and get to Atl for 3 of those games....would sure like to see the "Fearsome Foursome" all together.

 

Quote from Henry Silvestre on December 20, 2022, 2:29 pm

Quote from MrPadre19 on December 20, 2022, 12:28 pm

Looking at next seasons schedule it's kind of a bummer that 14 of the 20 games Nando will miss are against the Braves,Mets and Brewers.

Sure would prefer to be at full strength for those.

Also,I'm going to try and get to Atl for 3 of those games....would sure like to see the "Fearsome Foursome" all together.

 

We beat all those teams without Soto or Tatis or Xander  last season.. just saying

Quote from MrPadre19 on December 20, 2022, 4:23 pm

Not saying we can’t beat them

But they're certainly better than the Pirates/Marlins etc…