Quote from fenn68 on March 19, 2022, 3:59 am

Quote from BoosterSD on March 18, 2022, 8:36 pm

So lets say that Preller is in love with the idea of Mazara playing LF (against RHP) we still need someone to play LF against  LHP. I have scoured the MLBTR at the remaining FA OFers, and the only option is Kevin Pillar (especially with Castellanos now being reported as signing with PHI). Could be a decent platoon option, and Pillar might be our best option as a back up CFer.

That might fit with the right contract … at 33 probably not getting much in the way of offers after a poor 2021 but in the years just prior was fine vs LHP.

A Mazara / Pillar platoon allows Profar to be the primary bench option in the INF/OF while Tatis is out. As it stands with Kim starting … other than Profar … zero ML ready bench options (don’t see Abrams as a BENCH guy in 2022)

Quote from MrPadre19 on March 19, 2022, 4:16 am

Quote from sportwarrior on March 18, 2022, 12:52 pm

https://twitter.com/maddie_m_lee/status/1504900038018830338?s=20&t=sUaEMnD-uKRsUrpxWo3O5Q

Thanks, buddy.

Saw this….but still don’t know if Yu told him this before…..or after he signed?

 

Quote from fenn68 on March 19, 2022, 4:16 am

Big signing night: Castellanos (PHIL); Jansen (ATL); Correa in a surprise (MINN). Sort of thins out the FA … of MLBTR’s Top 50 only Story, Soler, and Conforto remain.

Would be surprised if Preller signs any of them … Story a big money SS … Soler a DH now with Voit not a need and he is no LF and too expensive for a platoon … Conforto for whatever reason seems to be a non-factor anywhere in rumors.

So, trades seem the route for Preller … he has pitching to deal (especially RP) that can’t make the 26 man … if Mazara has the inside track for the LHH platoon then getting a RHH platoon option vs. a  full time player should not be excessively costly.

Fall back is Profar (and may be the winner) with the OF backup going to either Trayce Thompson (some ML time) or Azocar (AA last season …not a real prospect but can field, can play CF, and has “some” hitting skills). Best option no but not so sure much worse than aging Pham / Pillar at a lower cost.

Given Tatis … Kim starting … should Preller be on the phone seeking a back-up INF? As it is Profar is the 26 man roster INF back-up and not sure that is optimal .. especially if he is also the platoon LF. 3 months is a long run without having Kim, Cronenworth, and even Machado to not need games off for minor aches and pains.

Quote from WindsorUK on March 19, 2022, 4:19 am

Okay....now that I've had a few hours to digest the trade, gotta admit, not quite a dumpster dive(I still don't like trading away a 20 year old, 1st round arm for an over 30 one trick pony but I'll get over it)

I really believe Hosmer and Myers will benefit from having an actual major league manager for the first time as Padres( okay, Wil had one year with Bud but....) My belief is that Melvin will put these guys where they feel most comfortable and LEAVE THEM THERE! Without digging through A's lineups for the past few years, I can guess that Matt Olsen's position on both the field and in the lineup were fairly static?

That said, I don't expect to see Voit in the field much, if at all, during the season(Both Profar and Cronenworth are more than adequate as defensive first baseman). This should limit Luke's exposure to injury, which seems quite frequent. If Voit can get 500+ AB's hitting behind Machado and Cronenworth and in front of Hosmer and Myers, there is no reason he can't put up big numbers.

Here's a lineup projection I saw this morning:

https://www.mlb.com/news/luke-voit-traded-to-padres

That'll work! And when Jr. returns, hes goes to the top of the order and Grisham moves to 9.

Quote from fenn68 on March 19, 2022, 4:27 am

The signing of Jansen in ATL might have a ripple effect to the Padres trade options. The last top RP is off the market (at $16MM) and make ATL better. NYM and PHIL (after signing Castellanos) are playing to win in 2022 and RP is always a need … especially in PHIL. Padres may be able to get good value for an excess RP … even if the return is a prospect (likely) the Padres would save some payroll.

The Correa to MINN and their overall activity this winter has MINN working to challenge CWS / make the playoffs … yet both their SP / RP is woefully defective. Another home for excess RP or maybe something bigger with a SP (Paddack or Weathers or Knehr). They could also be one of the “mystery teams” that are interested in Caratini … maybe a package to clear “excess” catching too.

Quote from lafnboy13 on March 19, 2022, 5:19 am

Quote from WindsorUK on March 19, 2022, 4:19 am

Okay....now that I've had a few hours to digest the trade, gotta admit, not quite a dumpster dive(I still don't like trading away a 20 year old, 1st round arm for an over 30 one trick pony but I'll get over it)

I really believe Hosmer and Myers will benefit from having an actual major league manager for the first time as Padres( okay, Wil had one year with Bud but....) My belief is that Melvin will put these guys where they feel most comfortable and LEAVE THEM THERE! Without digging through A's lineups for the past few years, I can guess that Matt Olsen's position on both the field and in the lineup were fairly static?

That said, I don't expect to see Voit in the field much, if at all, during the season(Both Profar and Cronenworth are more than adequate as defensive first baseman). This should limit Luke's exposure to injury, which seems quite frequent. If Voit can get 500+ AB's hitting behind Machado and Cronenworth and in front of Hosmer and Myers, there is no reason he can't put up big numbers.

Here's a lineup projection I saw this morning:

https://www.mlb.com/news/luke-voit-traded-to-padres

That'll work! And when Jr. returns, hes goes to the top of the order and Grisham moves to 9.

After looking at that projected lineup we really need a LF that can bat 5th and push everyone down a spot.

When Tatis return he slides in at leadoff and it really will lengthen put lineup even more. Grisham or Nola at the 9 spot.

Quote from MrPadre19 on March 19, 2022, 5:58 am

I still don’t get the desire to hit Tatis lead off.

Yes he will get more AB’s but does anyone know how many more he would realistically get rather than hitting him 2nd or even 3rd?

IMO the added AB’s aren’t enough to make up for the lack or RBI opportunity’s.

Anyone know when the last time the reigning HR Champion batted lead off the next season?

My guess is never….

Quote from fenn68 on March 19, 2022, 6:17 am

Quote from MrPadre19 on March 19, 2022, 5:58 am

I still don’t get the desire to hit Tatis lead off.

Yes he will get more AB’s but does anyone know how many more he would realistically get rather than hitting him 2nd or even 3rd?

IMO the added AB’s aren’t enough to make up for the lack or RBI opportunity’s.

Anyone know when the last time the reigning HR Champion batted lead off the next season?

My guess is never….

Maybe the “original” Tatis fits as a lead-off … speed / base running / a disruptor at the top of the line-up in the 1st inning. However, the “new and improved” Tatis with big power needs to sit somewhere in that #2-#4 roles where he still can be a disruptor on the bases but make better use of his power with men on base. Plus Tatis is not the most selective of hitter and usually teams want the lead-off hitter to make the SP work a little so everyone can see how their pitches are working early.

A cluster of Tatis, Machado,  Voit could be a real challenge for pitchers. As it stands, maybe a choice between Grisham and Cronenworth for lead-off?

Quote from fenn68 on March 19, 2022, 6:46 am

Now with Correa off the board … Story apparently has BOST, NYY, TEX, HOU, and SF “interested”. Story now seems willing to sign a “shorter / higher AAV” deal and “temporarily” move off SS. How might his choice impact the Padres?

First, let us hope he does not sign with SF … SF has the money but a top SS in Crawford so a position shift would be in play and maybe not a short term proposition. Add that with LAD / SD in the NL West … maybe tough to make the playoffs

Houston may be desperate without Correa … so could play SS and Houston should have enough money since he would cost less than they were offering Correa. Probably no benefit to SD except in the AL (as are the remaining options).

NYY may benefit SD the most … now they have defensive oriented Kiner-Falefa ticketed for SS and Story on a shorter term deal could really elevate their chances for the playoffs  … they have money. How could that benefit SD … the NYY also NEED a catcher … Padres have excess catching and need a veteran back-up (or starting) SS until Tatis returns. Solution: Caratini for Kiner-Falefa … 2 years control and I think a push on Caratini’s pay. That move would let Profar remain super utility / platoon LF.