Quote from LynchMob on November 19, 2021, 7:13 am

https://www.mlb.com/news/rookie-of-the-year-candidates-2022

Padres: Luis Campusano, C (No. 2/MLB No. 37)
The 2022 season could be Campusano’s third in the Majors, all before his 24th birthday, so the big stage shouldn’t scare the backstop. The 2017 second-rounder is a bat-first catcher who hit .295/.365/.541 with 15 homers in 81 games at Triple-A last season, and that’s much more indicative of his potential than his 3-for-34 (.088) turn with San Diego. Campusano has to wedge his way past Austin Nola and Victor Caratini on the catching depth chart to be an awards contender, but as the future of the position, he should be given plenty of chances to do so starting in the spring.

Quote from Randy Manese on November 19, 2021, 7:28 am

Campusano has lots of offensive potential and while his overall catching prowess is not elite, it is at least average with the potential to be better than average.  This makes him a likely target for teams with no legitimate catching prospects and with hopes to be competitive in 2-3 years.  For that reason, he probably is the Padres most valuable trading chip.   If they trade him, this speaks to their confidence in Valenzuela, who is a better defender, but only last year showed the potential to be a solid hitter with a little bit of punch.  Other catchers currently in the system are likely back-up types at best - Homza, Vizcarra, Fernandez, Bender or even Seagle (the best defensive catcher in the system), who has showed well in the Arizona Fall League but has had a difficult time getting to .200 over the course of a season.

Quote from fenn68 on November 19, 2021, 7:48 am

Agree he may be the best prospect trade chip BUT I am beginning to waiver on using him in that capacity.

First his bat as showcased in LE (2019) and the second half of 2021 in EP might just make him more valuable to the 2022 Padres in the DH role while phasing in as the replacement catcher pushing Caratini to the 3rd catcher with only two years of remaining control. Also worried about Nola’s ability to catch much more than half a season. A long way for Valenzuela to get from low A to a productive ML player (3 years?), so it is not unreasonable to see Campusano being a major factor with the Padres as a catcher in 2023.

Also, Padres are trying to make payroll space and Campusano gives them a potentially productive bat (and catcher) at league minimum for the next 3 years (current CBA rules). Couple that with the potential to trade an expensive / aging Darvish with Caratini both only controlled in 2022-23 to get that payroll space and probably a decent player return given the high cost of FA pitching.

So if the Padres believe in his bat … and potentially that plays at DH (a need), 1B (if / when Hosmer goes), or C if his defense is just acceptable (with Nola still being the prime C) … that may be more useful in both the short and long run that who they can get as a return.

Just a different spin.

Quote from BoosterSD on November 19, 2021, 8:44 am

I fully see a package of two of these three going to OAK for Olson and Manaea, Gore, Abrams, or Campusano, along with Paddack.

SD has put themselves in a place to have a 2 year window, and IMO Olson really gets them over the hump. Gold Glove defense, real LHH power. Completes the INF to be all AllStars and gives SD a LH slugger in between Tatis and Machado.

Quote from MrPadre19 on November 20, 2021, 5:34 pm

Even for a player like Olson I don’t want us to move Abrams or Hassell.

Any other combination of prospects I’m Ok with.

I just really believe they will be long time major league producers…and we need guys at league minimum moving forward.

I like Fenns idea of Campy at DH/3rd Catcher but if we’re gonna continue to “go for it” he may be the main piece to trade.

 

Quote from fenn68 on November 21, 2021, 4:50 am

Preller is in a bit of a tricky situation on how to deploy whatever is still available for payroll and an ever decreasing supply of quality prospects. Not sure what is the #1 upgrade need in their mind.

Last I checked based on the current roster projections … the Padres have the 3rd highest payroll behind the big market NYY and LAD and “clearing” major payroll is unlikely. All well and good to say trade Hosmer and/or Myers but by now we should understand no one wants them and if a team would take them the Padres would have to eat at last half the pay AND add a top prospect Then moving an “average” hitter to add a better bat for that spot still leaves a gaping hole in LF/DH.

I guess they could move Darvish but many are saying that adding a SP is a need …

Spend even more on payroll and trading prospects did not work all that well in 2015 or in 2020-21 in an effort to get an immediate payoff. I would focus on holding on to the prospects (see Campusano, Abrams, and Gore all factors in 2023) which  will result in lower in payroll for their slots and free up money for other needs.

IF the payroll flexibility is there … would try to sign Canha ($12MM+/- for 2 years) and Cruz ($10MM +/-) for LF/DH. Could make some payroll space by moving Frazier ($7-8MM) who should have a market, and a few others on the margin … Strahm, Pagan, Paddack, Lamet … given pitching is a premium they should have a market. Maybe not all but could open up enough to cover one of the two while preserving the prospects.

 

Quote from MrPadre19 on November 22, 2021, 2:14 pm

Both are right handed.

It would seem we would be better off adding a LH power bat.

But,those available May cost more….which as you explained is an issue.

Maybe try to just sign Schwarber or trade for Olson and roll with what else we have as far as offense?

If Olson we just rotate the DH position,if Schwarber he could DH and we could live with Frazier/Profar in LF.

 

Quote from LynchMob on April 14, 2022, 11:22 pm

https://www.milb.com/gameday/dodgers-vs-chihuahuas/2022/04/14/666143#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=666143

Now hitting .471 with a 1.088 OPS for AAA El Paso ... like it!

Quote from Jeremy Hill on April 16, 2022, 9:33 am

Not really a great fit with the current roster, but it doesn't seem like he has much left to prove at AAA at this point.