Quote from fenn68 on February 27, 2022, 4:51 am

The new CBA seems to have agreement on the universal DH and establishing a maximum number of times (5) any player can be option to the minors.

The 26 man roster (and even the 40 man) design will (should) be impacted by both issues. DH is obvious with less PH strength in favor of a strengthened a rotational DH slot. Would expect carrying one or two “better” hitters to fill that 9th regular slot in the line-up probably lessening the need depth need on either 26 or 40 man.

The maximum 5 options will be interesting. Remember the yo-yo of Quackenbush and others in previous years … and other teams using an extensive up and down strategy for pitchers to manipulate / supplement the pitching staff.

Can speculate but might that option limit bias teams to keeping on the 26 man a set of “healthier” arms so as not to overly tap into that limit (6 months is a long time) and have a strong set of ML ready arms in the minors to spread out those call-ups so as not to eliminate a prime call up arm before the end of the season. Might also make teams keep and extra arm or two on the 40 man at the expense of a prospect bat.

Put the two issues together and teams may value keeping more decent pitchers with minor league options on the 40 man at the expense of hitters. Might also lessen the desire to have a staff full of pitchers without minor league options. Dealing with the marginal players but still will have an impact.

Quote from BoosterSD on February 28, 2022, 5:32 am

I know that SD is going to have a 26 man roster crunch, and we have a fairly established team. However, saw an interesting possibility on MLBTR this morning. IF there is a rule 5 draft, maybe SD takes a chance on a PIT MiL OFer, Calvin Mitchell. Apparently he is an OFer that hit .280 in AA and got a taste of AAA last season as well. He is from SD, and according to MLBTR and scouts, he has "athleticism and professional approach". Of course if he is a rule 5 draftee, he could not be optioned down during the season except for "injury". However, he would be cost controlled for 6 seasons depending on the new CBA, and SD needs some close to ready OF options for the next couple of seasons. Maybe even a trade with PIT for a ML RP with no options left?

Quote from fenn68 on February 28, 2022, 6:46 am

You make an interesting point on Michell and Rule 5 … on the surface (with a full 40 man in SD and a “contender”) the Padres wouldn’t be a prime candidate to select anyone in Rule 5 … BUT

1. First, there has to be a Rule 5 … no idea (note that I would be happy for Rule 5 to end for a lot of roster reasons).

2. Padres have a roster crunch on pitchers but actually are short on position players … especially OF of any quality/potential for 2022 … so a Mitchell actually could be a fit

3. IF the Padres saw Mitchell as a useful option … might need to do some work to get him. He is not likely to fall to the 15th pick (assuming teams want to participate). Plus the Padres would have to be proactive in creating a roster slot with a DFA (Guerra?). Do that and work a deal with a team selecting early and have them pick Mitchell and flip him to SD for a similar quality prospect. Not sure on the restrictions but not sure they could trade with PITT and add Mitchell to the 40 man before the Rule 5.

4. IF the Padres see Mitchell as “useful” … maybe more as defense in the OF, PR in 2022 then some upside value for the future … without better alternatives … worth the shot … can always send him back later. Considering the 2022 OF is Myers - Grisham - Profar with maybe Mazara added as the 4th OF with no 5th OF or any AAA option seemingly better than Mitchell. Yes, still would want a real LF over Profar and slide him to super utility. So, Mitchell over Mazara … given the defense makes some sense. The DH will make the 13th position player less relevant making Mitchell a reasonable choice while Mazara could still be insurance in AAA.

A lot depends on Preller’s other moves (both add and delete) with position players. As it stands the 5 player “bench” is Profar - Kim - Caratini - Alfaro - plus ? Mazara is the front runner … don’t see any of them becoming one of the eight “starters” and just rotating in as needed to move folks through the DH role.

If they got Mitchell and kept him over Mazara … would you deal either Caratini or Alfaro to open a position player slot for a real LF upgrade? Campusano would be in AAA as catching insurance / future.

Quote from BoosterSD on February 28, 2022, 7:35 am

I agree, there would have to be a couple of creative moves in order to squeeze in Mitchell for the 2022 season. However the benefits; if he pans out, would probably outweigh the roster cost this season of a person like Guerra or another "iffy" RP that could be replaced by someone in the Padres MiL system.

If he pans out, he would really help with the salary issues that SD will have for the next few seasons. Maybe even help with the ability to resign either Musgrove or Clevenger.

On a separate note, with SD needing OF help even in 2023, would you look at resigning Myers for 2023 or even a 2 or 3 year pact at a more reasonable salary? I mean he is not worth his current salary (same as Hosmer). But wouldnt we be happy with Myers performance in the $7-10M range??

Quote from fenn68 on February 28, 2022, 8:16 am

Good point … given the OF shortfall going forward if they let Myers go after the season and, at least for now, no quality OF past Grisham … filling the 23 OF with ML quality will be a challenge (and costly) while at the same time potentially trying to re-sign Musgrove and Clevinger.

No idea the going forward market for Myers (probably depends on his 2022) … but he may not be delivering to his contract level but he is effective an “average” offensive player with some speed and power … will “only” be 32 in 2023 … so a shorter deal near average pay ($10MM +/-) might take the pressure of trying to fill multiple slots in 2023 and 2024. Contract and stats aside … actually like watching Myers play since he usually seems to really enjoy the game and that translates to the fans.

Maybe more so a strategy IF Hosmer does opt out … strongly prefer a re-sign of Myers that a re-sign of Hosmer. In both cases, since the offer would be logically below the current contracts … expect them to test FA before settling with the Padres.

In both cases, given “lower salary” if there is an alternative on the East Coast they may opt for that. Still think Hosmer would love to get near Florida (Miami) and Myers near North Carolina (Atlanta, DC, Baltimore, or Florida). Clearly the money is key but location (team) could put pressure on the Padres to pay a bit more to keep them.

Quote from Randy Manese on February 28, 2022, 10:56 am

I think any athlete who gets paid for performing has to have a lot of self-confidence in his abilities, i.e., an ego if you will, that drives him to perform and to place a value on his own worth.  Also believe that he'll have a decent year, certainly not as good as 2020 but better than 2021 if projections I have seen for him hold up.  For these reasons, agree that Hosmer will opt out of his $13M/year contract not only because he'd rather be closer to the East Coast but because that salary is not what he thinks he is worth now or in the future.

Myers is subject to team option so could be re-upped for 2023 for $20M.  Whether this will happen may depend on a couple of factors.  Internally, if there is the expected growth of Grisham, that is a plus.  If Abrams continues to show possible elite hitting skills at higher minor league levels that will transfer to the majors, this is extremely important if he can fit into an everyday line-up as early as the last 1/3 of 2022.  If Campusano is not traded and is allowed to show the power/OB skills and developing defense that will hold up well for a 1st string catcher and regular DH - it seems many pundits have downgraded him for some unknown reason.  Also, overlooked, is that one of the younger pitchers has to move forward, whether it is Gore, Morejon, Weathers or someone else to allow a possible trade of a current SP or let a current SP leave via free agency.  Finally, if the Padres can just add one legitimate consistent bat preferably in the OF but at DH via trade or free agency until the kids in the lower minors show what they have is for real.

If some or all of the above happens, then it is unlikely Myers is retained unless he agrees to a short term deal that would decrease his salary in 2023 (actually it will have already been decreased by 2.5M from 2022) and sit somewhere around 15-16M per year for two years.  That may be his base price after which he is unlikely, at 34, to get a long-term contract nor will the Padres need to carry that high a salary if Abrams, Hassell and others develop as we hope.

Not opposed to Myers staying with San Diego since I've always seen him hustle down the line and try to make plays in the OF even with bad knees.  I think he will prosper under Melvin and have one of his better years in 2023.

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 28, 2022, 10:57 am

Is Ona healthy and won't he get a real shot at winning a 4th-5th outfielder spot?

Who else who is already in the system could be that low cost OF bench piece?

I don't know much about Mitchell but if he isn't good enough to make the Pirates 26 man I'm not sure we want him?

 

Quote from BoosterSD on February 28, 2022, 11:25 am

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 28, 2022, 10:57 am

Is Ona healthy and won't he get a real shot at winning a 4th-5th outfielder spot?

Who else who is already in the system could be that low cost OF bench piece?

I don't know much about Mitchell but if he isn't good enough to make the Pirates 26 man I'm not sure we want him?

 

It may not have to do with his ability, and more so as with other organizations, that they are willing to risk that no team will select him and need to protect others that have more value to the PIT organization.

Quote from fenn68 on February 28, 2022, 3:38 pm

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 28, 2022, 10:57 am

Is Ona healthy and won't he get a real shot at winning a 4th-5th outfielder spot?

Who else who is already in the system could be that low cost OF bench piece?

I don't know much about Mitchell but if he isn't good enough to make the Pirates 26 man I'm not sure we want him?

 

I really doubt Ona will be a factor even if healthy. He really has not played much since 2018 (injury and missing season) so needs to actually get some AAA playing time.

As I recall he still had some holes in his game … zero defense and a lot of swing and miss.

As for other minor league options for 2022 (other than NRI Mazara) … zip. Sure “bodies” but none with any projection as a ML player. IF they shift Abrams to the OF … think they still need to give him some minor league time … remember he only and a partial season in AA before injury took him out.

My guess the Padres add to the OF depth for 2022 with low end FA once the CBA is settled … a large number of “bodies” will be panicking to just sign and likely dirt cheap on a one year deal.