Quote from BoosterSD on December 30, 2019, 1:13 pm

Quote from fenn68 on December 30, 2019, 12:49 pm

Whew ... the new report has Akiyama at 3 years in excess of $20MM. Reds seem to be opening the pocketbook this winter.

Well, I was for getting Akiyama for CF for the $2-4 per year that MLBTR suggested. Im glad SD got out of that competition, I dont think Akiyama is going to be a $7M year player.

Big gamble on CIN part IMO.

Quote from fenn68 on December 31, 2019, 5:48 am

Quote from BoosterSD on December 30, 2019, 1:13 pm

Quote from fenn68 on December 30, 2019, 12:49 pm

Whew ... the new report has Akiyama at 3 years in excess of $20MM. Reds seem to be opening the pocketbook this winter.

Well, I was for getting Akiyama for CF for the $2-4 per year that MLBTR suggested. Im glad SD got out of that competition, I dont think Akiyama is going to be a $7M year player.

Big gamble on CIN part IMO.

3 years at ages 32-33-34 for a player coming over from Japan with some question about his defense diminishing as a CF ... their scouts must really like what they see.

Quote from fenn68 on December 31, 2019, 6:08 am

2B may be an interesting position for the Padres in 2020. Trading for and signing Profar for $5.7MM would seem to lock him into 2B ... but looking at on-field performance ... maybe not as a full time 2B. Could see a lot of Garcia at 2B although he has no track record as a regular 2B .... more of a spot starter. Consider stats from the last 3 seasons:

vs. LHP (25%): Profar (113 wRC+ / 358 OBP) .... Garcia (39 wRC+ / 266 OBP)

vs. RHP (75%): Profar (88 wRC+ / 303 OBP) .... Garcia (98 wRC+ / 363 OBP)

add that in about the same amount of innings at 2B Garcia's dWAR (4.3) and defensive runs saved (+6) are substantially better than Profar's dWAR (1.9) and DRS (-8).

So, on the surface, would think it is Garcia that would be playing the bulk of the time against RHP with a greater OBP and better defense. Makes the $5.7MM for Profar (although only for one year) a bit questionable. On the other hand a platoon could produce needed OBP at 358 v LHP and 363 v RHP and maybe a role higher in the batting order (2nd?).

 

Quote from onlypads on December 31, 2019, 6:26 am

Quote from fenn68 on December 31, 2019, 6:08 am

2B may be an interesting position for the Padres in 2020. Trading for and signing Profar for $5.7MM would seem to lock him into 2B ... but looking at on-field performance ... maybe not as a full time 2B. Could see a lot of Garcia at 2B although he has no track record as a regular 2B .... more of a spot starter. Consider stats from the last 3 seasons:

vs. LHP (25%): Profar (113 wRC+ / 358 OBP) .... Garcia (39 wRC+ / 266 OBP)

vs. RHP (75%): Profar (88 wRC+ / 303 OBP) .... Garcia (98 wRC+ / 363 OBP)

add that in about the same amount of innings at 2B Garcia's dWAR (4.3) and defensive runs saved (+6) are substantially better than Profar's dWAR (1.9) and DRS (-8).

So, on the surface, would think it is Garcia that would be playing the bulk of the time against RHP with a greater OBP and better defense. Makes the $5.7MM for Profar (although only for one year) a bit questionable. On the other hand a platoon could produce needed OBP at 358 v LHP and 363 v RHP and maybe a role higher in the batting order (2nd?).

 

Yes. That would be a tremendous platoon, albeit reverse as to what the money would suggest (but Profar can be moved to other positions, but even so, expensive utility).  There is always the chance Garcia regresses and Profar finds his upside so there is that alos.

I really hope we platoon 1B, 2B, RF and CF right from the start so there is an expectation of that among the players. Hos needs to set the example of team first and should be willing to sell it -- given his standing as a leader, payroll, and knowledge of his own performance against LHP. Against LHP, bump Myers/France to 1B. Corresponding moves to RF. Margo to CF. With a long season, committment to platooning may help post ASG.

Quote from fenn68 on December 31, 2019, 6:52 am

Don't move Myers to 1B! Let him alone as the RF. Besides no RHH option for RF if the issue is moving off Hosmer v. LHP.

Do agree that they need to sit Hosmer vs. LHP ... he has never been good against LHP. IF France makes the 26 man he makes sense but if he does not and Naylor does ... even as a LHH ... he would be more effective than Hosmer vs. LHP. Defensively do want to at least have an option that knows where 1B is. IF they had a back-up catcher that can hit (not Hedges) ... using Mejia would work (and give some rest to Mejia from catching).

No real need to platoon Myers since he is about "average" vs. RHP ... and until someone proves to be more productive ... he is the every day RF rested strategically for some player to earn a greater role.

Quote from fenn68 on December 31, 2019, 7:21 am

OF is going to be another interesting battle for playing time if at the start of the season putting a team on the field with winning in 2020 as the goal. Do they start with the known commodities or go with heavy use of the UNPROVEN prospects that could cost games? Consider three year results:

Pham (LF) .... 1754 PA .... 132 wRC+

Myers (RF) ... 1482 PA ... 103 wRC+

Margot (CF) .. 1489 PA ...  85 wRC+ (plus by far the best defensive CF option)

vs the challengers

Cordero (L) ......... 273 PA ....  98 wRC+ (very high K% and historically can't hit LHP)

Grisham (L) ........ 183 PA ....  92 wRC+ (2nd best defensively but 69 wRC+ away from Miller Park)

Naylor (L) ........... 279 PA ....  89 wRC+ (bad defensively)

None of the "challengers" have played even 1/3 of a ML season and none have been able to even tease with a 100 wRC+ (average level). Significant risk giving them much playing time to start the season if the objective is winning.

The one slot that should get the "experiment" is CF since Margot has proven he can hit LHP and is poor vs. RHP. Grisham or Cordero (depending on ST) should get the platoon role. I have no idea which emerges as the better 2020 LHH option for CF ... both may further develop but not sure about 2020 (if ever). Might make sense to pick one to start 2020 and have the other playing full time in AAA for a ready change out if the first option just fails.

Quote from TatisJr on December 31, 2019, 7:25 am

Many of you here seem to have more faith in France than I do. Granted it was a small sample size, but I just wasn’t impressed with him. He seems like a AAAA player to me. I think Myers and Hosmer will be given an opportunity to play everyday to start the year. If they don’t hit I think platoons will be implemented.

Quote from onlypads on December 31, 2019, 7:37 am

Quote from fenn68 on December 31, 2019, 6:52 am

Don't move Myers to 1B! Let him alone as the RF. Besides no RHH option for RF if the issue is moving off Hosmer v. LHP.

Do agree that they need to sit Hosmer vs. LHP ... he has never been good against LHP. IF France makes the 26 man he makes sense but if he does not and Naylor does ... even as a LHH ... he would be more effective than Hosmer vs. LHP. Defensively do want to at least have an option that knows where 1B is. IF they had a back-up catcher that can hit (not Hedges) ... using Mejia would work (and give some rest to Mejia from catching).

No real need to platoon Myers since he is about "average" vs. RHP ... and until someone proves to be more productive ... he is the every day RF rested strategically for some player to earn a greater role.

I am curious about his production while holding various defensive positions. I think there is something to giving him reps at his primary / home position. I think it can have a grounding effect.  I am not sure he needs to be in the same spot as much as he needs "security." All speculation of course.

Quote from Henry Silvestre on December 31, 2019, 7:40 am

Quote from fenn68 on December 31, 2019, 6:52 am

Don't move Myers to 1B! Let him alone as the RF. Besides no RHH option for RF if the issue is moving off Hosmer v. LHP.

Do agree that they need to sit Hosmer vs. LHP ... he has never been good against LHP. IF France makes the 26 man he makes sense but if he does not and Naylor does ... even as a LHH ... he would be more effective than Hosmer vs. LHP. Defensively do want to at least have an option that knows where 1B is. IF they had a back-up catcher that can hit (not Hedges) ... using Mejia would work (and give some rest to Mejia from catching).

No real need to platoon Myers since he is about "average" vs. RHP ... and until someone proves to be more productive ... he is the every day RF rested strategically for some player to earn a greater role.

this is why I think CONTRERAS is our best position player target this off-season.. 

Cintreras/Mejia C.. And Both can play in the OF/1B with Mejia having a little 3B.. Solves OF ? (For 20-30 starts there ). And 1B vs lefties (maybe give Hosmer 20-30 days off).. With DH and all maybe both Mejia and Contreras can give us 120 games each (81 at C and 30 elsewhere with 9 other PH/Late inning sub/etc) seems like a perfect way to keep both in the lineup, while keeping both extremely fresh throughout the season.. Hosmer having 100 less AB's vs LHP would also do wonders for his body and his overall stats.... Let the OF sort itself out in 2020.. C solved for next 3 yrs (Campy time) 2B and TOR the next 2 targets..maybe too much for 1 off-season BUT maybe 1 can be addressed at deadline (Clevinger?) And maybe the other can be solved in house or revisited in off-season..

 

On a 2nd note my mind keeps taking me to LAA Myers + Lucchesi + Hedges (especially if Contreras comes to town) + $21 mil (saving us $15 mil per season) tonLAA for Marsh (adds to the OF mix)