Quote from BoosterSD on October 4, 2021, 8:38 am

For the most part, health!

Health of Tatis shoulder and health of the Starting Rotation.

If our starting rotation is healthy, and better (Snell thats you buddy), then our bullpen stays at the top all season, and we can ride out some offensive slumps.

So a revamp of the training staff, a revamp of the coaching staff, the throwing protocols????? Something to keep these guys healthy.

Quote from fenn68 on October 4, 2021, 9:20 am

Health of Tatis and the SP is the foundation for success in 2022 .... IF healthy the SP of Darvish, Snell, Musgrove, Clevinger, and Lamet have proven ML upper rotation success (of course they have to repeat that success but the talent is there). If that does not pan out ... not sure they can do that much tinkering to overcome.

Some potential (but just potential) insurance with Paddack and the potential emergence of Weathers, Gore, or Martinez. Hopefully they would only be needed as the 5th in the rotation.

I would keep an eye out for improving the RP corps ... with Melancon a FA. The core was great to start 2021 but got worn down and was poor to end the season. Which version is more indicative of the talent level? Pomeranz should return healthy (but does he ever stay healthy)?

Offensive probably needs two OF bats added in the mix (especially if the DH is coming). More likely in the steady ML quality mold not a "star" given what should be limited increased spending and limited quality trade chips.

Quote from fenn68 on October 4, 2021, 9:34 am

We should have a number of events to keep us engaged:

1. The new (maybe) field staff IF the fire Tingler and the coaches ... the replacement process and selection is always a hot button subject (should be in OCT)
2. The setting of the winter 40 man roster in early NOV ... have to make calls on a number of DFA, non-tenders, and whether to pick-up club options.
3. CBA ends Dec 1 ... should be hearing a lot of proposals ... rejections ... counter proposals plus general venom between the parties. Have to watch out for new elements of the agreement that MAY alter how every team approaches roster construction and, therefore, may delay some player movement until that is clear. E.G. a salary floor, lower salary cap, shorter control period (down from six years), roster size, expanded playoffs, use of player minor league options, ... it could be a very long list of potential changes.
4. Winter Meetings and Rule 5 draft
5. Winter Instructs and AFL for Padres prospect
6. Player trades / FA signing

I guess the next 5 months will be active.

Quote from BoosterSD on October 4, 2021, 9:43 am

I guess the 1st decision that needs to be made is Tatis. And there are a couple IMO that need to be made.

1. Shoulder - surgery or not? I/we dont have anywhere near enough info to have this conversation, and IMO it is his decision. He knows his pain level, the difference in his abilities when 100% and then less. So its his decision.
2. Position - Where does he play? If you judge it by offensive stats by position, then he needs to stay at SS. As an OFer, he was above average as a hitter, but an All Star as a SS. Defensively is the team better with Crone at SS, and him in the OF? Yes, but was that "position experiment" part of the reason for the team collapse? Can he become a happy, All Star, Left Fielder? Becuase, IMO that would be best for the team. However, I think he sticks at SS.

Quote from BoosterSD on October 4, 2021, 9:48 am

Quote from fenn68 on October 4, 2021, 9:20 am

Health of Tatis and the SP is the foundation for success in 2022 .... IF healthy the SP of Darvish, Snell, Musgrove, Clevinger, and Lamet have proven ML upper rotation success (of course they have to repeat that success but the talent is there). If that does not pan out ... not sure they can do that much tinkering to overcome.

You have to wonder if it is best for Lamet and SD; if he can, becomes the closer. Top notch fastball and wipe out slider combo usually plays well for a closer.

Can he transition to pitching multiple days in a row?

Can he get ready that quick?

Does he have that Trevor mentality?

Or is Paddack a candidate to be a closer?

Quote from BoosterSD on October 4, 2021, 9:58 am

I think the best way; when looking to upgrade a team, is to look at every position and decide if you can improve there if needed, and then how?

So lets start walking around each position, and see what we can see and where to spend our limited resources for the best bang for the buck.

Let start at the easy spots, C, 3B, SS, and 2B between Caratini, Nola, Machado, Tatis, Crone, Kim, Frazier, and Profar, we are as set as a team can be in those positions.

So lets finish the INF with our biggest hole, which is 1B.

Quote from BoosterSD on October 4, 2021, 10:06 am

1B, current position holder is for the most part Hosmer. He is a big money guy that simply is not living up to the contract. He was brought here with a reputation of being a club house leader, and I think that rings true still. He had the resume of a gold glove caliber defender at 1B, I think we can agree, that is no longer the case, and since he is not, then he needs to make up for that with the bat, and that leads us to the third point with Hosmer the bat.

Of all qualified 1B this season in the NL, he was (except for a rookie) the worst in the NL in all categories except for hits and BA, which he was 3rd and 4th. But he does not drive in runs. And IMO, that is the main responsibility of a 1B is to drive in runs.

1st option that most people will bring up is move Crone to 1B. Good idea, and yes I think the defense will improve with Jake at 1B. However, his bat is nowhere near 1B quality. He would still be in the same spot as Hosmer in most IMO important batting categories such as HRs, and RBIs and that is last among qualified hitters. So leave Jake at 2B and find a real 1B, or....

Move Myers back to 1B. He had his two best offensive season playing 1B, not much difference in the BA or OBP, but the power difference was massive from 16-17 to the balance of his time here, except for 2020. Did he keep more weight on as a 1B? Is he the same as Tatis and needs to be part of the that INF to be "in the game"?

The only other spot Myers hits better than when at 1B is LF. So is moving Myers back to 1B the best option for SD?

Quote from fenn68 on October 4, 2021, 10:14 am

Really don't see 1B as a big hole ... don't like Hosmer there but between him and Cronenworth (Frazier at 2B) that should be OK .. just OK not great.

Just don't see the likely "cost" to supplant Hosmer would be worth the move given pure voids in LF/DH.

 

Quote from WindsorUK on October 4, 2021, 10:18 am

First thing HAS to be a new manager. Preferably someone who's taken a team through a 162 game season( i.e. someone who understands when and where players need to rest, someone who understands how to get the most out of a pitching staff, someone who understands veterans quirks and comfort zones, etc.)

With a relatively healthy rotation, I think this same group( even though I'd certainly prefer some upgrades) can win IF they have the right leader.

I'd like to see AT LEAST Tingler gone by weeks end.