Quote from MrPadre19 on March 11, 2022, 2:55 pm

Dodgers resign Kershaw on 1 year deal.

If they sign Freeman and Bauer is allowed back….we better make some serious moves.

If Bauer is allowed back by MLB….will the Dodgers want that in their Clubhouse?

If they don’t….would anyone else?

Quote from fenn68 on March 11, 2022, 3:13 pm

Quote from MrPadre19 on March 11, 2022, 2:55 pm

Dodgers resign Kershaw on 1 year deal.

If they sign Freeman and Bauer is allowed back….we better make some serious moves.

If Bauer is allowed back by MLB….will the Dodgers want that in their Clubhouse?

If they don’t….would anyone else?

As I understand MLB just put Bauer on "administrative leave" .... no idea what that does for his pay but likely keeps him away from the LAD for some length of time ... if they want him back. Maybe since this is the LAD the more important question is Bauer's $35MM still going to be part of the CBT. As it is, Kershaw's signing should put them over the first threshold and if they signed Freeman they would eclipse the second threshold (maybe the third). Even if Bauer's money is excluded ... and hard to see why it would be ... Kershaw and Freeman alone should eclipse the first threshold. With the LAD cash is not a problem but with penalties ... it becomes a lot of cash.

I might guess that Freeman signs with NYY who could go BIG (dollars / years) ... clearly they want an impact LHH 1B and maybe need to get some headlines in NY back from the METS and the METS' signing spree. Add that they are in a tougher battle for the AL EAST with Boston, Toronto, Tampa Bay than the LAD are in the NL West.

Outside chance TOR (same competitive issue as NYY) and with a lot of payroll room under the cap and a wealthy team. Both may be more motivated than the LAD.

 

Quote from fenn68 on March 12, 2022, 8:04 am

I think we may be under rating non-roster invitee Nomar Mazara as a situational player for the Padres … especially if we consider the alternatives.

If we only focus on two really bad seasons of 2020-21 with the CWS/DET, he was really bad. However he is “only” 26 and in his four seasons previously with TEX he was a 90+ wRC+ guy … not great but serviceable.

The key point may be that he is substantially better vs. RHP … and if the Padres add a hitter that handles LHP they have the potential of a decent situation split of time.

No idea what kind of deal the Padres worked out with him IF he makes the 40 man but he will not be costly leaving money for other bat(s).

 

Quote from fenn68 on March 12, 2022, 12:06 pm

Again we see the free market value of pitching is way up there. LHP Kukuchi (30) just signed by TOR for 3 years / $36MM (AAV $12MM). He has a career ERA of 4.97 and only that low because of his first half of 2021 ... in the second half ballooned to over 6.00. Seattle could have kept him by picking up options ... declined.

So, for comparative purposes I offer Chris Paddack (26). 3 more control years via arbitration ... projected $2.1MM in 2022 and likely to top out under $15MM for the 3 year period (less than half of Kukuchi). Career ERA lower at 4.21.

Paddack is younger, cheaper, and performed better with the same period of control. Put that all together and he should have a lot better trade value the most think.

Considering "baring injuries" the SP is likely Darvish, Snell, Musgrove, Clevinger, and Nick Martinez with Weathers and Gore in the wings besides Paddack. Would the Padres get more value (if they could) by dealing Paddack for a starting OF rather than have him in the pen burning up one of his last 3 control years being used as in insurance policy and spot starter?

Since I think the upside on Weathers and Gore is as good (hopefully better) than Paddack plus they both come with six years control .. for me Paddack is the odd man out IF he can yield a needed bat.

Side: seems as though Melvin has ticketed Lamet for late inning relief ... at least for now.

Quote from fenn68 on March 12, 2022, 3:57 pm

I see the Padres linked to Bryan Reynolds from PITT … again. Given the need for an impact LF that makes a lot of sense but he will be very very costly in terms of prospects.

Consider he is 27, switch hitter, decent fielder, but his calling card is his high wRC+ and OBP. Power is just OK. All-Star last season and got MVP votes. Then fold in he still has 4 years of control and in 2022 at league minimum. Roll that all together and he will command a premium premium.

I would expect PITT would want two of the Padres top 4 prospects (probably Abrams and Campusano) and two more lower league prospects at a minimum. Steep for fans of prospects but the return is a proven All-Star with four years control and a bargain basement salary. If the Padres are all in for 2022-23 … might have to go that route. They have the prospect assets (in my mind) to make it happen.

Note that if they added Reynolds at league minimum they would still have money under the cap for a productive 2nd bat.

 

Quote from MrPadre19 on March 12, 2022, 4:15 pm

I may be just fine with that.

Four years of an All Star leftfielder AND the ability to sign Nellie or maybe even Schwarber for DH.

That’s a lot for a few prospects no matter how good they are.

Losing Abrams would hurt…..BUT,we need to go for it while Manny/Yu/Snell are still here.

With the expanded Playoffs we can not afford to miss them any season going forward at  this payroll level.

 

Quote from MrPadre19 on March 12, 2022, 4:16 pm

Question…..as I’m curious.

If you had to give up one would you rather trade Abrams or Hassell?

 

Quote from fenn68 on March 12, 2022, 4:31 pm

Quote from MrPadre19 on March 12, 2022, 4:16 pm

Question…..as I’m curious.

If you had to give up one would you rather trade Abrams or Hassell?

 

Hassell because he is at least 2 years away primarily.

Abrams could actually help this season and likely will next plus he could handle the INF or OF if everyone is correct. He also covers some risk if Tatis pops his shoulder again. My only concern on Abrams is his injuries … ie is he injury prone?

Both seem to have the POTENTIAL to be All-Star caliber and both are very likely to be ML regulars.

If Hassell replaced Abrams in my version of the trade … the 3rd and 4th prospects probably would have to be a bit better.

Quote from Randy Manese on March 12, 2022, 4:38 pm

As good as Hassell may become, Abrams is a unique talent with an even higher ceiling.  I may be a little prejudiced, however, because I wanted to Padres to take Zach Veen over Hassell  in the draft.