Minor League Discussion

#2761 · September 28, 2023, 8:20 pm

Leodalis DeVries is right at the top of the international lists and a long-time favorite to sign with the Padres. Hoping that comes to fruition but what could upset the applecart is the size of the bonus DeVries is expecting. If the Padres fall short because of the cut in their international budget, DeVries could switch. For that reason, if you see a Padres trade involving international bonus money, then that's what's probably happening.

MLB.com has DeVries as #1, while Baseball America has him at #2. Unlikely to progress as quickly as Salas, but still a very very good prospect with a well-rounded game. Hope he still signs with us in January.

#2762 · September 29, 2023, 4:32 am

Quote from Randy Manese on September 28, 2023, 8:20 pm

Leodalis DeVries is right at the top of the international lists and a long-time favorite to sign with the Padres. Hoping that comes to fruition but what could upset the applecart is the size of the bonus DeVries is expecting. If the Padres fall short because of the cut in their international budget, DeVries could switch. For that reason, if you see a Padres trade involving international bonus money, then that's what's probably happening.

MLB.com has DeVries as #1, while Baseball America has him at #2. Unlikely to progress as quickly as Salas, but still a very very good prospect with a well-rounded game. Hope he still signs with us in January.

Good point … sort of depends on how firm the commitment by DeVries’ camp and what other teams can (and will) offer since they too have a limit (maybe more but still a limit) and have their own commitments already in hand. Would not do well for a teams’ future negotiations in the international market if they back out of deals at the last minute to jump to another player.

Still trading for bonus pool money seems needed if they have to use the max of the current (reduced) pool on DeVries and want to pursue other international FA. There is a maximum amount they can add as I recall … so still a limit.

Combining trading for pool money along with probably trading to move bad contracts (eg Carpenter) really puts a challenge for Preller but may be more significant that some “good but not great” prospect they would get in return in a deal.

#2763 · October 1, 2023, 8:46 pm

I've been trying to figure out who all they have working at instructs in Arizona right now. I haven't been able to find a roster. So far I've just seen a few guys in pictures a minor league photographer posted. He had pictures of Dillon Head, JD Gonzalez, Breck Eichelberger and Blake Dickerson. He also had pictures of Austin Nola getting some ABs. Hopefully his vision issues are fixed even if his future with the team might be uncertain.

#2764 · October 2, 2023, 9:44 am

Hope MadFriars publishes the list - I believe they have done so in the past. For sure, a lot of the recent signees who didn't get into any games are there plus those who are coming back from nagging minor injuries but have since healed sufficiently to participate. Looking forward if they can improve the defensive abilities of the apparently hitting first catchers (King/Gonzalez) and whether guys like Henry Baez and Isaiah Lowe are ready to take the next step up. If the instructs are open to the public, going to see a lot of up and coming talent on that field!

#2765 · October 2, 2023, 11:37 pm

Marsee, Pauley and Nett off to a good start in AFL; Pena, not so much. Martorella didn't play.

#2766 · October 3, 2023, 6:07 am

Quote from Randy Manese on October 2, 2023, 11:37 pm

Marsee, Pauley and Nett off to a good start in AFL; Pena, not so much. Martorella didn't play.

Should note that Pauley did come in as a LF … are the Padres setting him up as a candidate to replace Soto in LF for the Padres. His future as a 3B / 2B for the Padres is not good. The tease of his bat in 2023 can’t be ignored … if not LF maybe DH / 1B since a LHH with some power and some speed .. could be of 2024 value at minimum cost even if just can deliver near “average” ML production. Given the current alternatives … has to be in consideration.