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#951 · January 22, 2021, 1:18 pm
Quote from Brian Connelly on January 22, 2021, 8:46 amDetails still coming out on Profar's deal. EXTREMELY player friendly: 2 player opt outs after each of 1st 2 years?!
Lets Profar walk (or renegotiate) if he breaks through, leaves Pads "on hook" if he regresses.
I'm really happy he's back, but he's NOT an everyday LF. Let's not remake the club & trade Cronenworth just yet....
With the competition they were getting from the Red Sox, I am sure that the reason the Padres signed him to this player friendly contract is that the Red Sox forced their hand. It probably came down to Profar saying, "I want to come back to the Padres, but this is the contract I have to have to do so." The Padres decision came down to . . . do we offer him this contract or not? Do we want him or not? If so, this is what it's going to take. And they pulled the trigger.
I don't that Mateo makes the club now. AAA
#953 · January 22, 2021, 1:51 pm
Quote from WindsorUK on January 22, 2021, 1:07 pmQuote from MrPadre19 on January 22, 2021, 12:49 pmI wouldn’t expect to see Abrams move off of SS any time soon.
Trader Preller knows Abrams value is highest as a shortstop.
This!
If anything, look for Abrams to get time in LF( think Vince Coleman, or if power develops, Ricky Henderson)
I HATE when we move successful players out of position( Klesko, Nevin, Myers).
Keep CJ at SS as long as possible.
I HATE when potentially versatile players who are obviously blocked DON'T get exposure to playing other positions in the Minors, THEN are asked to do so on the fly in MLB with maybe 5-10 games there in Spring Training.
LAD roster composition last 5 years & buy in of "that way" by Preller & Padres ownership by acquiring VERSATILE guys like: Cronenworth, Nola, Profar, & Kim proves the importance in long seasons of having guys you can move around to keep guys fresh, take advantage of matchups, etc.
2 Minors players I'd most like to see getting exposed to other positions: 1) Abrams @ CF, 2) Ornelas @ 1B
#954 · January 22, 2021, 1:55 pm
Quote from MrPadre19 on January 22, 2021, 12:49 pmI wouldn’t expect to see Abrams move off of SS any time soon.
Trader Preller knows Abrams value is highest as a shortstop.
Agree ... plus considering the athletic ability in Abrams the move to the OF could be a very quick transition just before he arrives. Don't forget that Grisham was graded out as one of the best DEFENSIVE CF in 2020 ... so Abrams in a less challenging LF is fine then IF he shows better defensively than Grisham make the switch. For know, preserve the SS development as his primary position and focus on the development of his offense.
#955 · January 22, 2021, 2:10 pm
Quote from Brian Connelly on January 22, 2021, 1:51 pmQuote from WindsorUK on January 22, 2021, 1:07 pmQuote from MrPadre19 on January 22, 2021, 12:49 pmI wouldn’t expect to see Abrams move off of SS any time soon.
Trader Preller knows Abrams value is highest as a shortstop.
This!
If anything, look for Abrams to get time in LF( think Vince Coleman, or if power develops, Ricky Henderson)
I HATE when we move successful players out of position( Klesko, Nevin, Myers).
Keep CJ at SS as long as possible.
I HATE when potentially versatile players who are obviously blocked DON'T get exposure to playing other positions in the Minors, THEN are asked to do so on the fly in MLB with maybe 5-10 games there in Spring Training.
LAD roster composition last 5 years & buy in of "that way" by Preller & Padres ownership by acquiring VERSATILE guys like: Cronenworth, Nola, Profar, & Kim proves the importance in long seasons of having guys you can move around to keep guys fresh, take advantage of matchups, etc.
2 Minors players I'd most like to see getting exposed to other positions: 1) Abrams @ CF, 2) Ornelas @ 1B
For the record Abrams as exposed to CF during his amateur time ... and by all report looked "good". My guess is that he gets OF reps maybe starting in 2022 ... in season and in winter instructs following before ST in 2023 ... not a conversion to OF just reps. When it is clear his bat is nearing ready ... then a more focused switch to the OF.
Always a risk of Tatis blowing out a knee and not being able to continue at SS (the pessimist in me).
======
Agree on seeing a growing Ornelas get some 1B reps given the lack of 1B prospects ... but a bit of the same thinking as to when ... first he actually needs to show he can hit and not sure taking any focus away for his hitting development this early is a plus.
#956 · January 22, 2021, 2:24 pm
Do we have any talent ANYWHERE in the minors at 1B?
#957 · January 22, 2021, 2:24 pm
I guess the next "big event" for the Padres will be the extension discussion with Tatis ... Padres said they would like to get something done before ST.
==== until then
I am OK with the position player set-up with Caratini - Kim - Profar holding down the front end of the bench and O'Grady - Mateo the last two spots. Always look for upgrading but I could see Preller just waiting until ST and see if some options are still looking for jobs and willing to sign a minor league deal with an invite to ST (basically beat one out during ST).
OK with the SP options going in with Darvish - Snell - Lamet - Musgrove - Paddack backed by the prospects.
RP will be the only really interesting part through ST (doubt a Rosenthal signing is in the offing). Eight RP slots with five probably locks: Pomeranz (L); Pagan; Strahm (L); Adams; Johnson leaving a competition for the last three with an issue surrounding out of option players:
Out of options: Stammen; Altavilla; Williams; Guerra
Options: Hill (L); Castillo (L);
Somewhere in that strategy Padres need RP on options who can be sent down to call-up a spot starter (Morejon or Weathers or Baez or Gore).
The great news is this is soooooo much more complete roster than I can remember.
#958 · January 22, 2021, 2:29 pm
From what I've read, Abrams' arm is adequate but not superior to a SS, which is why the Padres look at him as a 2b man if kept in the INF. Arguably, both Cronenworth and Kim have better arms from the ss position. My moving him to the OF is to get his superior bat, speed, eye, contact rate, etc. into the everyday lineup as soon as next year, which won't happen at SS because of Tatis Jr. Of the 3 HS hitters drafted in 2019, he probably was rated 3rd at the time of the draft - he is now rated #1 ahead of Witt Jr. and Riley Greene. Currently, he is considered batting average over power but is still projected to hit around 15-18 HRs in his early years. As an 70-80 runner, that kind of threat at the top of the lineup followed by Tatis Jr., etc. is going to put tremendous pressure on any opposing pitching staff. Preller is not going to trade Abrams nor is Abrams going to replace Tatis Jr. at SS. Best course of action is to give Abrams some time in a position in the minors where he can fit into the lineup as soon as possible and see how he takes to playing the OF; maybe he's better off at 2b.
I know Grisham graded as one of the top CF in the league last year but I saw him mess up several plays that didn't look all that difficult to make - particularly going back on the ball. He mistimed his jump several times and had the ball hit the base of his glove and bounce out instead of just tracking it like I thought he would and have seen other CF's do and just reaching up to catch the ball. Not saying that he doesn't deserve a high rating, but rather there is room for improvement. He's good but I don't think he's Steve Finley or Mookie Betts or Mike Trout.
#959 · January 22, 2021, 2:31 pm
Quote from WindsorUK on January 22, 2021, 2:24 pmDo we have any talent ANYWHERE in the minors at 1B?
NO. Not sure I even see (except Ornelas) players to shift to 1B and hit at 1B profile.
Hosmer may be around for 5 more years ... so a time to develop someone. IF Kim is the real thing and takes 2B and IF Cronenworth hits going forward we could see him there if Hosmer opts out in two years. I guess Campusano if needed since Nola is still under 5 years control and Caratini for 3 years.
#960 · January 22, 2021, 2:38 pm
from today's MLB.com's best defensive prospect per team:
Padres: CJ Abrams, SS (No. 2/MLB No. 21)
There were many evaluators who felt that Abrams would be forced to move off shortstop to either second base or center field in pro ball -- the latter being a logical destination on account of his elite speed and range. That’s much less of a concern after the 2019 No. 6 overall pick showcased vastly improved defense during San Diego’s fall instructional league that now gives club officials confidence in projecting him as a plus defensive shortstop.
Still agree he will be the CF of the future of the Padres but still good to hear.