Quote from LynchMob on August 19, 2021, 4:22 pm

Quote from fenn68 on August 19, 2021, 12:41 pm

Quote from WindsorUK on August 19, 2021, 12:31 pm

Ben mentioned Joe Beimel in his minor report.

Good chance we see him in SD when rosters expand? Otherwise, what was the point of bringing him out of retirement?

As close to zero chance of seeing him … not on the 40 man and, this year, the expanded roster is limited to 28. With Darvish, Lamet, Paddack, Profar, and Williams on the IL and coming off those two additional slots will be taken.

Padres gave Beimel a chance he wanted … and to take a shot that IF the Padres were in the title race AND Beimel was sharp he might help.

The "close to zero chance" had its odds go up with this news ...

LHP Matt Strahm (right knee inflammation)
Expected return: Possibly September
Strahm missed the first four months of the season after surgery to repair his right patellar tendon, an absence that lasted longer than expected after Strahm hit a number of roadblocks. He just hit another, landing on the IL with inflammation in that same right knee after appearing in only six games in August, allowing six runs over 6 2/3 innings. (Last updated: Aug. 18)

Quote from Randy Manese on August 19, 2021, 5:13 pm

In my opinion, Gore to the ACL is a two-edged sword.  It's the place that should put the least pressure on Gore and he should dominate - but what if he doesn't?  Are they just looking to see if he can pitch again or are they seeing if he can find that pinpoint control, especially with is fastball, that shot him up as potentially the best starting pitcher in the minors.  I'm hoping that any possible setbacks don't further hurt his confidence, his psyche, or whatever it is beyond the physical aspects of the game - having the right mental frame of mind is so important as a pitcher.  Let's hope for the best - we really need Gore to be himself and soon.

Quote from fenn68 on August 19, 2021, 5:38 pm

Well they are going to have to pitch him at some point … ACL is where he has been working out and with the coaches that have been handling him. SHOULD be the easiest (least pressure) spot for re-entry to real game environment.

If he struggles … after all this time … a bigger problem.

The minor league season has less than a month … so it should be interesting to see if they just give him starts in AZ or (if looking good) bump him up to a higher level to finish the season.

Quote from Randy Manese on August 19, 2021, 8:51 pm

Happily, Gore almost got thru 5 innings (which confirmed nothing really physically wrong with him) and stats seem to indicate he had that control that we've been waiting to see.  I agree with you that he should be bumped quickly, so as to not let him flounder at a lower level.  I hope he moves to Lake Elsinore for his next start and see what happens there - he had a good experience in LE in 2019 and I'd like to see him continue his success this year at that site before moving him up to San Antonio or El Paso.  If he's sufficiently regained his confidence, then I'm not opposed to bringing him up sooner than later.

Quote from fenn68 on August 20, 2021, 10:13 am

Ona's rehab has been moved to San Antonio.

Quote from fenn68 on August 20, 2021, 10:25 am

Next two weeks should generates some interesting 40 man roster decisions.

Ona and Williams should be finishing their rehab limit and will need to be added back to the 40 man (or released). Wingenter is lagging about a two weeks for a similar call. As it stand, Pomeranz to the 60 day makes room for one. Basically a call on retaining them or dropping some lower hanging fruit currently on the 40 man like Castillo or Anderson.

Adding to the call ... if everything goes well ... Profar, Darvish, Paddack, and Lamet could be added to the 26 man pushing some of the 26 man roster out (some have minor league options but others don't). Also, Williams does not have a minor league option as far as I can tell. Sept 1 the 26 man goes to 28 ... so that timing helps.

Barring some new injuries (or old ones that don't heal) ... Preller will have some tough calls depending on where they are in the standings and his view of who will make the winter roster.

Quote from Randy Manese on August 20, 2021, 2:41 pm

My guess is that Ona will be added back and optioned to El Paso; not a lock to make the roster in 2022 but I think they want to see what he can do in the last couple of months of the season.  Of the 3, Wingenter better than Anderson or Williams and I'm not a big Taylor Williams fan.  I can see Ivan Castillo being outrighted and Williams released as well as Pom going on the 60 day.  You could also outright Ramirez or Camarena but don't have a whole lot of healthy lefties in the upper minors, so they might linger until the end of the season.   Could also release Arrieta.

I can see the Padres doing quite a bit of roster shuffling post 2021 season.  Rivas, Kivlehan, Camarena, Ramirez, Norwood, Altavilla, Guerra, Lawson, Kela, Anderson plus the aforementioned Arrieta and FA's Pham and Hudson and non-pick up of options on Marisnick, Melancon, Johnson, Stammen as well as Diaz, Crismatt, Wingenter, O'Grady and Jose Castillo may all be in jeopardy.  Interesting times ahead in order to get some healthy arms for 2022.  Also wanted - one productive OF needed since Profar is going to exercise his option to stay with the team and thus fill the other OF/INF slot unless we can trade him.

Quote from fenn68 on August 20, 2021, 3:04 pm

Sure can see them adding back a minimum of 4 (maybe 5) for the 60 day IL at the end of the season (Clevinger, Morejon, Baez, Castillo and maybe Wingenter) and then add at least 4 prospects to protect from Rule 5 (Gore, Wilson, Martinez, Valenzuela). So maybe 8-9 adds ... a lot of names get DFA although few pain me all that much.

One choice factor ... for toss-up calls ... maybe be the ability to option them in 2022. Might not be strategically smart to protect a marginal player who you really question making the 26 man out of ST and release a similar marginal player that could be optioned (and preserved). Might keep someone like Wingenter around at the expense of Diaz (or similar).

Now if I understand this right ... there may be a small window after the season but before the final Rule 5 roster submitted that deals can be made which could clear some long jam created by adding prospect to protect.

Side: I keep going back and forth on Johnson and Stammen but leaning toward them having the options exercised .... for 2022 not sure better choices are in house and they could be potentially dealt for some prospect down the road (or included in a package). Stammen has done a lot to keep this 2021 team still in contention ... pitching in a lot of games, a lot of innings out of the pen, and in every role the asked of him ... and in the big picture of MLB RP done that well. Bet he is back.

Quote from Randy Manese on August 22, 2021, 8:46 pm

Enjoying the Lake Elsinore blowout of the Inland Empire on MiLB, where they scored 15 runs in the last 3 innings.  Angeles is in a mini-slump and doesn't look comfortable at the plate but Mears, just off COVID injury list, crushed one to deep center over the batter's eye with an easy but powerful swing - hope he keeps up his improvement at the plate the rest of the year.  Hassell and Valenzuela excellent as always and got a surprisingly solid performance out of Acosta, who surprisingly has made great strides this year even though a little old for the league.  Dale has really come on, much stronger and much better approach at the plate.  Dunn is also a little old for the league, but making a good debut in low A after a short time in the ACL.