Quote from fenn68 on April 3, 2022, 11:30 am

Weathers optioned to EL PASO.

Quote from MrPadre19 on April 3, 2022, 5:32 pm

With Kim hitting this Spring does this affect Abrams chances of making the OD roster?

IMO Kim should be our super utility guy off the bench….hoping Abrams starts at SS….or at least against all RH starters with Kim in against Lefties.

 

Quote from fenn68 on April 3, 2022, 5:52 pm

Quote from MrPadre19 on April 3, 2022, 5:32 pm

With Kim hitting this Spring does this affect Abrams chances of making the OD roster?

IMO Kim should be our super utility guy off the bench….hoping Abrams starts at SS….or at least against all RH starters with Kim in against Lefties.

 

It sounds as though Abrams will make the roster and share time with Kim but not as a pure platoon. More of observing the opposition pitching and determining the better choice of that day getting both ample playing time. Then one or the other backfills as needed for Cronenworth, Machado, or DH.

At least that is for the first part of the season to see if one significantly out plays the other. For both, the regular season will be different than spring training and production may be different.

Quote from Randy Manese on April 3, 2022, 7:44 pm

Assuming he makes the team, which it appears he will, I can see a scenario where Abrams enters the game as a pinch-runner and then plays a good portion of the game in a number of positions - both outfield and infield.  It seems Melvin will find a way to not stress-out Kim yet still allow Abrams to grow - both need to retain their confidence, especially over this first month of the season.

Also, the final roster might not be done yet and, in fact, may continue to be tweaked until Tatis returns.    Several contenders are likely looking very closely at either Snell or Paddack, depending on how they see their starting pitching playing out early, so the team we see in April may look different in June.

Quote from BoosterSD on April 4, 2022, 6:50 am

It looks as if CIN will designate Akiyama for assignment, as he has a clause in his contract that says he can deny an assignment to AAA. His performance has not been good; however, have to wonder if he would be an option for SD with our lack of a true back up CFer?

Would have to remove someone from the 40 man and the 28 man roster, so would it be worth it for the eventual need of a CFer when Grisham gets hurt, and history suggests that he will have some sort of 2-4 week injury.

Quote from fenn68 on April 4, 2022, 6:57 am

As they stand … with the expectation that Campusano is sent to AAA … there is one open spot on the ML roster (assuming the keep 13 position players) … the 40 man is full (but Tatis to the 60 day is still available to open a slot).

Between Padres and El Paso (26 position players) the logic suggests adding one non-roster player (Abrams?) to the Padres sets both rosters for position players. That sort of sets-up as the base case … fall back if a deal does not develop.

———————

I see Abrams over the course of the season getting a lot of playing time (given the current roster) maybe being the first in as needed beyond the timeshare with Kim. INF/OF/DH are all in his capabilities. Injuries to others will happen across a full season and zip in AAA for starting coverage.

Should be an interesting mix and match since Kim can play 3B/SS/2B/DH … Cronenworth 3B/SS/2B/1B/DH … injuries, rest games, and situational line-up gets Abrams somewhere in the line-up for, my guess, well over 400 PA.

Assuming he handles the regular season pitching.

Quote from fenn68 on April 4, 2022, 7:08 am

Quote from BoosterSD on April 4, 2022, 6:50 am

It looks as if CIN will designate Akiyama for assignment, as he has a clause in his contract that says he can deny an assignment to AAA. His performance has not been good; however, have to wonder if he would be an option for SD with our lack of a true back up CFer?

Would have to remove someone from the 40 man and the 28 man roster, so would it be worth it for the eventual need of a CFer when Grisham gets hurt, and history suggests that he will have some sort of 2-4 week injury.

He has a $8MM salary for 2022 and a FA after the season. Can’t see him opt out thinking he can sign elsewhere for a better deal given his performance last season.

Can’t see the Padres claim him given that contract and 2021 performance.

Looks as though Abrams is the “emergency” short term back-up. Plus would gamble on Azocar in CF if a 15 day IL hits Grisham … league minimum cost and a good fielder.

Quote from BoosterSD on April 4, 2022, 7:32 am

Quote from fenn68 on April 4, 2022, 7:08 am

Quote from BoosterSD on April 4, 2022, 6:50 am

It looks as if CIN will designate Akiyama for assignment, as he has a clause in his contract that says he can deny an assignment to AAA. His performance has not been good; however, have to wonder if he would be an option for SD with our lack of a true back up CFer?

Would have to remove someone from the 40 man and the 28 man roster, so would it be worth it for the eventual need of a CFer when Grisham gets hurt, and history suggests that he will have some sort of 2-4 week injury.

He has a $8MM salary for 2022 and a FA after the season. Can’t see him opt out thinking he can sign elsewhere for a better deal given his performance last season.

Can’t see the Padres claim him given that contract and 2021 performance.

Looks as though Abrams is the “emergency” short term back-up. Plus would gamble on Azocar in CF if a 15 day IL hits Grisham … league minimum cost and a good fielder.

At $8M I agree According to MLBTR, "If Akiyama does indeed decline to go to Triple-A again, the Reds seem set to designate him for assignment, and in all likelihood eat the $8MM owed to the outfielder for the 2022 season."

So SD would be able to pick him up for league minimum, although still would have the roster crunch to add him. So if SD is willing to put Abrams in CF on the fly in case of a Grisham injury, then probably no need.

Although, I dont think I really agree with SD and starting Abrams in SD for the season. Still thinks he needs more time in the MiLs.

Quote from fenn68 on April 4, 2022, 7:55 am

If nothing else CINN eating $8MM when they are moving payroll out and not finding a trade partner suggest to me that no one sees value in Akiyama.

Turning 34 this month, and with a very poor 44 wRC+ last season (off a poor 83 in the shortened 2020) does not make him appealing. See Azocar / Thompson (if needed) providing as good or better production in CF.

As for defense, in CF, he had a negative DRS in 2021. So, maybe not the plus defender they would be looking for given he also can’t hit ML pitching.

Not sure I would not go with Profar in CF over Akiyama considering offense and defense … and let Beaty play LF.