Quote from JasonE135 on December 29, 2019, 1:57 pm

Quote from fenn68 on December 29, 2019, 12:26 pm

Actually do worry about Richards ... too many are just conceding him a major role based on "hope". He has not had a good season since 2015 (which was down from his best in 2014) and those were his only two good seasons. So ... beset by injuries ... the last 4 seasons were nothing of note ... will be 32 next season.

Can anyone really rely on him making through a full season .. being anywhere close to his 2015 performance level (ERA in mid-3s) or we will see a guy lucky to rack up 120 innings with a 4+ ERA? Makes the case for not dealing either Quantrill or Lucchesi now.

About mid-season, would not be surprised that either Gore or Patino (or both) move into the starting rotation with good minor league results and the ML incumbents injured or underperforming.

So, maybe a bit of Preller's decision making in dealing Quantrill or Lucchesi this winter (for anyone) is his conviction of the remaining 5 SP options being effective out of the blocks and the timing of the readiness of Gore and / or Patino to step in when needed. Did hear one suggestion that the Padres see Gore as really close to ML work ... with the outside chance (outside mind you) that he could earn a slot to start the season (like Paddack). They think he is that good and that close.

I think that one thing you may not realize fenn is that Garrett Richards tore his UCL in 2016, maybe even 2015. It was a partial tear and he opted for stem cell injections as opposed to a rebuild. So yes, he only pitched between 100-150 innings in 2016-2017 combined. But he did that with a partially torn UCL AND he had an ERA well under 3.00 in both those years! Even in 2018 his ERA was 3.66. That’s damn good! This upcoming season will be his first fully healthy season SINCE 2014. That year and everything before it was absolute GOLD.

Commie-I agree with you on Hedges. I DO NOT WANT to lose him. He is exactly what we need for all of the young guys like Paddack, Quantrill, Gore, Patino, etc... I don’t think that the Padres want to trade him either. I expect him to be on the opening day roster. I would much rather trade Torrens to a catching needy team. It just seems like everyone here not only can’t wait to get rid of him, but also conversely thinks he has tremendous value to other teams. No team in baseball will have a younger pitching staff than us. He has greater value to us than anyone else. Maybe we should keep him.

Quote from fenn68 on December 29, 2019, 2:48 pm

On Richards ... do know his history over the past 4 years but just suggest that relying on a 32 year old after missing the bulk of 4 years due to injury and become his former self is a high risk plan. Padres signed him with that risk and he will get that chance but they need to be ready with a back-up plan.

We will just disagree on Hedges defensive value having that much impact on the pitching staff to offset his offensive liability. I will let Rothschild deal with the young pitchers and Barajas work with Mejia on his defensive game and take the offensive improvement as a path to winning.

Quote from onlypads on December 29, 2019, 2:56 pm

Quote from fenn68 on December 29, 2019, 2:48 pm

On Richards ... do know his history over the past 4 years but just suggest that relying on a 32 year old after missing the bulk of 4 years due to injury and become his former self is a high risk plan. Padres signed him with that risk and he will get that chance but they need to be ready with a back-up plan.

We will just disagree on Hedges defensive value having that much impact on the pitching staff to offset his offensive liability. I will let Rothschild deal with the young pitchers and Barajas work with Mejia on his defensive game and take the offensive improvement as a path to winning.

Agree with both points. Richards has upside, but there must be a contingency plan built in. Comsequently, this fact may decrease AJP's interest in L and/or Q trades.

Quote from JasonE135 on December 29, 2019, 3:11 pm

Just FYI-I am not saying that Richards will absolutely be that guy. What I was saying was more of a response to all of the people here who would trade anything for Clevinger. We MAY have a Clevinger already on staff. No he is not a sure thing, but he is a decent bet. It was one continuous injury for 4 years, and he still dominated even with it. I can see 120-150 innings with a 3.50 ERA from him. That is close to ACE production. If not, we have plenty of plan B’s.

Mejia is absolutely our future at C. His defense is okay and I expect it to improve. He has the best C arm in mlb. He hits. What else could we want? But every team has a backup catcher, usually a defensive specialist. We have the best defensive C and best pitch framing C in the business to be our backup. He just couldn’t get a hit in a T-ball game. He is a backup. He can make our newest kind comfortable until they get their feet under them. Teams don’t trade huge loads for backup catchers. But he is a perfect backup for us.

Quote from onlypads on December 29, 2019, 3:23 pm

Quote from JasonE135 on December 29, 2019, 3:11 pm

Just FYI-I am not saying that Richards will absolutely be that guy. What I was saying was more of a response to all of the people here who would trade anything for Clevinger. We MAY have a Clevinger already on staff. No he is not a sure thing, but he is a decent bet. It was one continuous injury for 4 years, and he still dominated even with it. I can see 120-150 innings with a 3.50 ERA from him. That is close to ACE production. If not, we have plenty of plan B’s.

Mejia is absolutely our future at C. His defense is okay and I expect it to improve. He has the best C arm in mlb. He hits. What else could we want? But every team has a backup catcher, usually a defensive specialist. We have the best defensive C and best pitch framing C in the business to be our backup. He just couldn’t get a hit in a T-ball game. He is a backup. He can make our newest kind comfortable until they get their feet under them. Teams don’t trade huge loads for backup catchers. But he is a perfect backup for us.

I honestly think our rotation, as currently constructed, and if everything goes right, could be top 3-7.

I dont think other GMs are valuing Hedges as high as the value he provides us as a back up. In that sense, yes keep him. Will he accept that or will he become a cancer? Not sure.

Quote from TatisJr on December 29, 2019, 3:25 pm

I personally have never seen Campusano play, but everything I’ve read and heard suggest the Padres view Camp as the future everyday catcher.

Richards is a big question mark just because of his injury history. When healthy the guy is an ace, but I‘m not banking on him to be in the rotation throughout the year. I certainly hope I’m wrong, because he would be a huge difference maker if he can log the innings. I’d really like to hold onto Cal so he can take on those starts if/when Richards isn’t available. Cal is very underrated IMO.

Quote from Commie on December 29, 2019, 3:32 pm

The farther we get away from actually watching games it seems that Mejia has gotten a lot better defensively accordingly to you guys.  This rose colored retrospective on him is the kind of thinking that led to Wil Myers starting in CF and Alexi Amarista at SS on a supposed contender in 2016.

I don't care if they trade Hedges, just can't do it without a bona fide ML catcher on the roster.  What if Mejia gets hurt? Torrens or Campusano? Webster Rivas? Nick Hundley-type (big fan but talent/age)?  Anyone watch Kevin Higgins try to catch in '93? Made Brad Ausmus into a savior.

Quote from onlypads on December 29, 2019, 3:44 pm

Quote from Commie on December 29, 2019, 3:32 pm

The farther we get away from actually watching games it seems that Mejia has gotten a lot better defensively accordingly to you guys.  This rose colored retrospective on him is the kind of thinking that led to Wil Myers starting in CF and Alexi Amarista at SS on a supposed contender in 2016.

I don't care if they trade Hedges, just can't do it without a bona fide ML catcher on the roster.  What if Mejia gets hurt? Torrens or Campusano? Webster Rivas? Nick Hundley-type (big fan but talent/age)?  Anyone watch Kevin Higgins try to catch in '93? Made Brad Ausmus into a savior.

Candidly, I just disagree. I watched a majority of games and at the time didn't even think it was close as to who NEEDED to be our starter. Mejia handled a large portion of the ML games and produced mediocre defensive statistics. On the other hand, Hedge's was inept offensively. I called for Mejia to start then. After a full season of Mejia's development and consideration of Hedges development, I am only further comvinced of this fact.

Yes, injuries happen.  If you are saying we need more C depth, I understand, but I have no indication that Hedges is more optimal (i.e. a bona fide ML C) than cMejia and probably Torrens in 2020 and beyond. I also disagree with the notion that our SP need to be coddled with Hedges to realize potential.

 

Quote from Commie on December 29, 2019, 4:08 pm

Quote from onlypads on December 29, 2019, 3:44 pm

Quote from Commie on December 29, 2019, 3:32 pm

The farther we get away from actually watching games it seems that Mejia has gotten a lot better defensively accordingly to you guys.  This rose colored retrospective on him is the kind of thinking that led to Wil Myers starting in CF and Alexi Amarista at SS on a supposed contender in 2016.

I don't care if they trade Hedges, just can't do it without a bona fide ML catcher on the roster.  What if Mejia gets hurt? Torrens or Campusano? Webster Rivas? Nick Hundley-type (big fan but talent/age)?  Anyone watch Kevin Higgins try to catch in '93? Made Brad Ausmus into a savior.

Candidly, I just disagree. I watched a majority of games and at the time didn't even think it was close as to who NEEDED to be our starter. Mejia handled a large portion of the ML games and produced mediocre defensive statistics. On the other hand, Hedge's was inept offensively. I called for Mejia to start then. After a full season of Mejia's development and consideration of Hedges development, I am only further comvinced of this fact.

Yes, injuries happen.  If you are saying we need more C depth, I understand, but I have no indication that Hedges is more optimal (i.e. a bona fide ML C) than cMejia and probably Torrens in 2020 and beyond. I also disagree with the notion that our SP need to be coddled with Hedges to realize potential.

 

And so we do. Thanks for the response.