Quote from fenn68 on April 7, 2022, 10:36 am

Quote from Randy Manese on April 7, 2022, 9:51 am

I like Azocar over Rooker at this point.  Azocar seems to have made some hitting adjustments late in ST and that, combined with much better defense and base running makes him a flexible option off the bench.  With Gore sent to EP, Crismatt was a keeper as the long man and I'm happy for Wilson and Guerra, although the depth of the RP staff in EP will have them proving every opportunity that they should be on the team.  Hadn't seen anything on Knehr but assumed he also was sent to EP.

Yeh, Knehr is in EP.

Quote from fenn68 on April 7, 2022, 10:41 am

With Azocar in the OF they have a legit defensive OF for all three slots creating some late inning insurance and leaving Beaty or Profar PH options ... and apparently even with the DH Melvin likes to PH.

With Abrams they have either Kim or Abrams on the bench for a legit back-up for 2B/SS/3B.

Both create a lot of flexibility to offset Hosmer, Voit, and Beaty limitations.

Quote from fenn68 on April 7, 2022, 10:58 am

Let us not assume Preller is done making moves in April ... some may be forced out of the pen baring further injuries.

Consider the current pen is at 10 and reduces down to 8 on May 1. The two most likely options to AAA are Crismatt and Wilson. Then it gets tricky.

Only two of the remaining RP have minor league options ... Lamet and Hill and neither are likely to get optioned. However, a good chance both Garcia and Clevinger come off the IL near the same time ... even if a bit later they will come off creating a need for two more moves. (I don't want to have an injury for that purpose).

So, April will be a important audition for those RP on the bubble ... like Guerra, Adams, Johnson, Stammen, and Lamet. Think Suarez, Hill, and Rogers are locked in as are Garcia and Clevinger in this timeframe.

I think ... unless he really excels ... Lamet may be at risk given the ongoing concerns on his health holding up and the fact he is high paid. They love Stammen and he is a workhorse long man, so probably not a move. Adams is hot and cold but cheap and under control for a few years. Johnson is good (I like him) under the radar but a FA after the season. Guerra is the wild card ... had a strong finish to ST (but that is ST) ... however if the new pitching coach got to him and with his stuff ... might survive given long control at at at league minimum.

Padres may try to work lowering the payroll a bit more with these moves (Lamet or Johnson) to create more room for a trade deadline add (if needed) and remain under the cap (avoiding a loss of draft pick / penalty dollars).

Coming attractions.

Quote from WindsorUK on April 7, 2022, 11:47 am

Can somebody please break down the exact trade? Lots of names getting thrown around.

Paddack and Pagan are certainly guys that were expendable. Unfortunately, doesn't seem like we got much value for the pair( Dominic Smith sure looks better now)

It's okay back filling your roster but it would be nice to have 8 every day players before doing so.

Seems we could have been better served waiting before trading decent( read: SP) trade chips.

Oh well, we'll see how it goes. And for guys who thought the kid from Minny was going to come in and start over Profar- really???? Jurickson is the ONLY one who is close to be a complete player. He'll get the majority of reps until our management team can find a replacement ( maybe Abrams?)

Quote from Jeremy Hill on April 7, 2022, 12:10 pm

Paddack, Pagan and a player to be named later for Rogers, Rooker and 6.6m is the full trade.

Quote from Randy Manese on April 7, 2022, 12:18 pm

Rooker was not important to the trade but Rogers and 6.6 million dollars were.  Rogers was an all-star LH RP in 2021 and fills a big need.  Rogers is in his FA season, so we'll see if he continues on the roster next year, however, without a healthy Pomeranz and/or Jose Castillo, this move really solidifies the bullpen.  With Paddack and Pagan, you really didn't know which pitcher would show up - both could be very good or very awful.  It was a very good trade for San Diego (and we didn't give up any of our top prospects!).

I'm thinking the big trade will happen before the end of April.  Lot of contenders with SP shortages will be following the Padres' closely, since we have potentially 7 starters for a 5 man rotation.  Don't want to find yourself like last year, so building up pitching depth in the minors is so important.

Quote from Randy Manese on April 7, 2022, 12:27 pm

Because he has options and because he has two more arbitration years, this gives the Padres some flexibility with Lamet and time for him to find a role.  We could stash him on the IL or down in El Paso and let his arm get better if it is ever going to get better.  His salary is not that prohibitive and we have a lot of money potentially coming off the roster in 2023 even though some of it will go to extend several of our pitching options.  At worst, someone is likely to take a chance on him for a prospect given his arm is not totally gone.

Quote from fenn68 on April 7, 2022, 12:27 pm

Quote from WindsorUK on April 7, 2022, 11:47 am

Can somebody please break down the exact trade? Lots of names getting thrown around.

Paddack and Pagan are certainly guys that were expendable. Unfortunately, doesn't seem like we got much value for the pair( Dominic Smith sure looks better now)

It's okay back filling your roster but it would be nice to have 8 every day players before doing so.

Seems we could have been better served waiting before trading decent( read: SP) trade chips.

Oh well, we'll see how it goes. And for guys who thought the kid from Minny was going to come in and start over Profar- really???? Jurickson is the ONLY one who is close to be a complete player. He'll get the majority of reps until our management team can find a replacement ( maybe Abrams?)

Considering Preller has been trying every day to get an upgrade in LF and not succeeding … just had to switch priorities and focus on a LHRP (closer). Waiting may not have yielded much. (Also, at some level that only the Padres know, is there a bigger concern about Pomeranz’ health that may keep him out longer than 60 days?)

Let us not lose focus, it was Rogers as the prime target of this trade. Rooker is, at this point, just back-up in AAA trying to make a case for a roster slot. I would not write him off because of that. He does have potential with the bat … probably more than any other RHH in the upper Padre minors and is only an injury to one of the OF to be in SD.

Profar seems locked into the LF slot to start the season but we will see which Profar shows up.

As I said, I was over the Paddack / Pagan era … and the talent still is here for the playoffs. Rogers will be more valuable than both in 2022.

Quote from fenn68 on April 7, 2022, 12:47 pm

Quote from Randy Manese on April 7, 2022, 12:27 pm

Because he has options and because he has two more arbitration years, this gives the Padres some flexibility with Lamet and time for him to find a role.  We could stash him on the IL or down in El Paso and let his arm get better if it is ever going to get better.  His salary is not that prohibitive and we have a lot of money potentially coming off the roster in 2023 even though some of it will go to extend several of our pitching options.  At worst, someone is likely to take a chance on him for a prospect given his arm is not totally gone.

Lamet may be the interesting decision depending on his April. He will be 30 this year and really has yet to establish himself as a healthy reliable option.

I do think he could yield a prospect in a trade if at all effective in April.

The Padres’ question (if he is the bubble guy) what is the best use of that $4.8MM contract in 2022. Should not be an issue in 2023 … but he is a FA after 2023 unless they keep him in AAA most of the season.

IF they cleared his $4MM of his contract combined with the $1MM under the cap … might that be deployed on a position player add? Trade deadline flexibility.