Quote from fenn68 on October 28, 2020, 3:58 pm

Quote from MrPadre19 on October 28, 2020, 2:47 pm

I was under the impression there would not be two leagues for A ball.

No High and Low and that the Padres would keep LE over FW due to proximity.

Maybe this was just speculation.....but if you are contracting then consolidating two leagues at the same level would

make the most sense.....along with the short season leagues.

I guess we will all find out the plan together at some point?

 

I am sure there are some creative alternatives being present in the MLB offices. Honestly don't know how the development people really evaluate the separation of the four full season leagues (AAA, AA, A+, A). Always considered the A+ to AA the most challenging before the jump to the ML. That may impact the restructure.

No matter the "label" on each level ... how teams fill those rosters may be equally interesting. If saving money is a part of this equation .. and the ML going with "younger" prospects sooner at the ML level ... there may be a AAA level but it becomes a blend of AAA/AA shedding some of the veteran minor leaguers. AA could blend some AA and A+ players and on down with A becoming a bit more low A / Short Season level. Might be a route to getting the younger prospects more challenging assignments sooner.

I can see the CAL league being dropped to A ball status ... some weak franchises and maybe dropping a couple. Too bad for LE with is a well run franchise / excellent park.

Quote from Randy Manese on October 28, 2020, 6:42 pm

Brian, your are absolutely correct on Camarena.  I overlooked him.  Your are also probably correct on Avila and Diaz since it really doesn't make sense for a one year deals knowing that the chances were slim that they would be recovered enough to pitch in 2020.  Thanks for the validation of my lists.  I guess we'll find out soon enough.  I also still have hope for Cordoba and Rodriguez as the best of the rest.

 

 

Quote from fenn68 on October 31, 2020, 7:16 am

With consideration to the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, current speculation about staggering ST with the ML roster (and non-roster invitees) coming in on schedule ... followed by the AAA types as normal BUT delay the lower level minor leaguers arrival until after the ML/AAA (maybe AA) players vacated the ST site and start their seasons. That would result in delaying the lower minors' start for a month or more. Maybe they have ST with a max of 80 - 90 players (ML/AAA/AA types) they have enough to fill those three rosters. The remaining 100 or so come in later.

Just trying to weave the issues that may arise from the reorganization (shrinking) of the minor leagues plus the teams' desire to make sure their better prospects get the maximum development time with the potential delay of the lower minors.

Would it make sense for some clubs to "accelerate" the placement of their better prospects to get them playing (developing) earlier and with the ML roster players? Could we see more players who in the past ticketed to start in A+ now start in AA (could drop them later if it is not working out). Cover that with "system players" coming in the second wave a month or so later.

All the normal expectations of how the minors will play out ... are up in the air.

Quote from Brian Connelly on October 31, 2020, 10:04 am

I thought a staggered start to ST/Minors was inevitable.  Could even be 3 groups (depending which levels remain in minors).  Something like:  1) MLB/AAA/AA  2) A+/A  3) Rookie league levels

Thought is to have 3 "teams" worth of guys in MLB ST so that when MLB team starts playing others in ST, the remaining group is large enough to field ST style (tons of players used) games against each other.

Quote from Randy Manese on October 31, 2020, 11:36 am

All of these posts raise good points for the 2021 season.  It probably has already been said, but the only thing I would suggest is to move everything to the right, which means delay spring training and the opening of the season by at least a month, maybe more.  It may be a less than 162 game season, but still 130+ games if we start the season in May and possibly play a few scheduled doubleheaders where teams are allowed to bring up more than 1 additional body for those doubleheaders.  I think this takes into account the health and safety of the players and the fans that want to attend even if we still can't fill up the stadiums at 100%.  Hopefully, there will be a vaccine available by that time that the public in general is willing to take and has proven safe and effective and hospitalization and death rates have declined.  I would love to take my little grandson to Petco to watch our "new and improved" Padres but I don't want it to be the last thing I do with him.

Quote from Randy Manese on November 2, 2020, 12:16 pm

List of minor league FA's by Baseball America today excludes several players thought to be free agents, including Avila, Castillo, Cordoba, Diaz and Rivas.  Yonder Alonso only new name on the list, but not a serious add to any big league roster.  If there are only the seven listed, then we have some additional unexpected depth.

Quote from fenn68 on November 2, 2020, 1:46 pm

Quote from Randy Manese on November 2, 2020, 12:16 pm

List of minor league FA's by Baseball America today excludes several players thought to be free agents, including Avila, Castillo, Cordoba, Diaz and Rivas.  Yonder Alonso only new name on the list, but not a serious add to any big league roster.  If there are only the seven listed, then we have some additional unexpected depth.

That is good news .... and because I am rooting for Cordoba ... glad he still is a Padre prospect. Helps AAA/AA bodies to fill out rosters.

Looked as though the Padres will be on the hunt for a number of minor league FA to fill out AAA OF/INF openings ... sort of a big gap between the Padres roster and prospects more ticketed for AA and lower. On the other hand, have the arms to fill all the rosters with some leftovers (still if the Padres like a FA pitcher they will still try to sign him).

Quote from fenn68 on November 3, 2020, 8:30 am

Any word on the AZ winter instructs? Reported they would be held early October thru November 14th ... so should be a month in.

Quote from Brian Connelly on November 3, 2020, 10:51 am

Quote from Randy Manese on November 2, 2020, 12:16 pm

List of minor league FA's by Baseball America today excludes several players thought to be free agents, including Avila, Castillo, Cordoba, Diaz and Rivas.  Yonder Alonso only new name on the list, but not a serious add to any big league roster.  If there are only the seven listed, then we have some additional unexpected depth.

From BA's most recent Minors Transactions:

San Diego Padres
Signed: RHP Miguel Diaz | RHP Chase Johnson | LHP Daniel Camarena | LHP Brady Feigl | LHP Kyle McGrath | C Hansel Rodriguez | SS Ivan Castillo

Accounts for all but Avila (likely 2 yr Minors deal last year due to TJ Surgery) and Cordoba.  Maybe they worked something out too earlier with Cordoba/MLB because of the time missed due to the non-baseball injury (car accident)?

Also note "C" (??) Hansel Rodriguez... appears they did re-sign him, but either an error on position change &/or BA listed him as a Minors FA as a "RP".    Preller's done some C to P projects like Bethancourt, but the other way around years into a career?  Doubt it.

Held onto every LHP they could, which they needed at upper levels of minors.   Sure looks like Gettys (& Jason Vosler) are moving on; with the wide open SD bench, I thought SD might be their best opportunity.  I'm most psyched about Castillo in 2021 as a potential poor man's Profar; he actually may hit better (won AA batting title in 2019 & strong 2018), but is less patient/doesn't walk, and won't be in the same league as Profar (or Mateo) on the other tools, but still: bat first, versatile SH INF has value.  #30 on my 2020 top prospect list won't drop with so many guys gone that were ahead of him.

Cordoba exciting to maybe make roster by year end?   Could definitely see Avila, Diaz, Cordoba, Castillo (depending on Profar re-sign), maybe Rivas, maybe a LHP contributing in MLB as depth by end of season.