Forum
Forum Navigation
OFFSEASON 2023-24
#1031 · December 19, 2023, 2:32 pm
Quote from fenn68 on December 19, 2023, 2:23 pmQuote from BoosterSD on December 19, 2023, 1:43 pmThe signing is official, and then a follow up trade of Suarez to STL for one of their OFers? Maybe, hope!
Actually that works on a couple of levels … do know that STL is pursuing a RP and does have some interesting young bats … so can be a fit.
IF the Padres see Matsui as the closer (remember that Suarez had not proven to be a closer) and maybe Brito (and Wilson) may be seen as end of the game options … Suarez and his high cost / long term deal can be expendable.
STL has “excess” bats. Pretty sure STL would want to move Carlson (switch hitter) and WAS a top prospect but has not been all the good at the ML level. Padres may push for Donavan (LHH 2B/OF) who has hit well in the ML. Compromise might be Burleson (LHH OF/1B) who is still more a prospect but upside. None are expected to start as STL will go in the OF with Nootbaar, Edman, and Walker … Gorman at 2B … Goldschmidt at 1B.
All three options are low cost / long control so fit the Padres … a question as to STL taking the full Suarez contract and then giving the best of that trio.
If that player out … Suarez ends up paying for Matsui … and the commitment is probably shorter.
I would even be OK if SD paid down Suarez by a little to make this deal happen. RPs are hit and miss from year to year, and sometimes new is better. I think my preference would be Burleson (1B), but if the small salary of Carlson (and CF) was enough to make the deal, that would work for me as well.
#1032 · December 19, 2023, 3:11 pm
Quote from BoosterSD on December 19, 2023, 1:43 pmThe signing is official, and then a follow up trade of Suarez to STL for one of their OFers? Maybe, hope!
In that case, fine.
If St. Louis has OF better than what is available on the market, then a very strategic move.
#1033 · December 19, 2023, 5:22 pm
Who confirmed the signing? I can't find it. I don't want to get excited like the Giants did for Carlos Correa or Jays fans did for Ohtani.
#1034 · December 19, 2023, 5:29 pm
Quote from JasonE135 on December 19, 2023, 5:22 pmWho confirmed the signing? I can't find it. I don't want to get excited like the Giants did for Carlos Correa or Jays fans did for Ohtani.
I didnt mean to say I knew it was confirmed, should have said, Once its announced.
#1035 · December 19, 2023, 5:42 pm
Quote from BoosterSD on December 19, 2023, 5:29 pmQuote from JasonE135 on December 19, 2023, 5:22 pmWho confirmed the signing? I can't find it. I don't want to get excited like the Giants did for Carlos Correa or Jays fans did for Ohtani.
I didnt mean to say I knew it was confirmed, should have said, Once its announced.
Thanks! I'll still keep my fingers crossed then. I'm sure it's just a matter of hours, but you never know.
BoosterSD has reacted to this post.
BoosterSD
#1036 · December 19, 2023, 7:56 pm
If Suarez is fully healthy, the best time to trade him (and the 36M remaining on his 4 year contract) could be after Spring Training has started. By that time, teams who believe they are in contention for a playoff spot but still have weak bullpens will be looking to add an arm like Suarez has shown when healthy. Pagan and Kelly recently signed for 8M and neither is as good as a healthy Suarez, so it may not be out of the question to hold out for someone to take his full contract amount.
Alternatively, if fully healthy, maybe we keep him until mid-season/trading deadline? Nice lefty/right closer set that was envisioned for 2023 but at a lower cost than Hader and without his Prima Dona demands of when to use him. We also have some interesting arms in our system that could be ready to take over Suarez' spot by then.
#1037 · December 19, 2023, 8:31 pm
I really hope that Yuki Matsui will finally be able to adjust to the bigger, non pre-tacked ball that MLB uses. Word was that he had trouble with the bigger ball in the WBC. A small man, likely with small hands, can have trouble splitting his fingers far enough to throw his best pitch, the splitter. Perhaps we should see how he does with that before we trade our existing closer.
#1038 · December 20, 2023, 1:04 am
I know Suarez is billed as the closer … that is only because the Padres have said that was his future BUT in his two seasons with the Padres he has only 1 save in 7 opportunities. That is not a good base to conclude he will be a good closer. Yes, he is usually effective but maybe more a set-up man vs a closer?
Now even if Suarez is still an unknown as an effective closer … Preller would have to believe he has a similar (or better) candidate on the team (pretty sure others may not see it the same way but it becomes Preller’s call). Matsui - Brito - Wilson - Cosgrove - PTNL are not clearly so inferior that the debate should not be there.
Even if that is the case doubt Preller would trade Suarez unless the return made sense to Preller. If they kept Suarez and signed Matsui (with the others) would make a better bullpen but at the expense of using about $10MM of the available $25MM+ leaving only $15MM for 4 position players (if Preller does not also add a SP). That is not an optimum position to be in.
Maybe it boils down to what Preller still sees in Suarez after 2 years with the Padres … since his performance on the field has not been that of a closer. Maybe the potential signing of Matsui answered that question?
#1039 · December 20, 2023, 1:12 am
Quote from JasonE135 on December 19, 2023, 8:31 pmI really hope that Yuki Matsui will finally be able to adjust to the bigger, non pre-tacked ball that MLB uses. Word was that he had trouble with the bigger ball in the WBC. A small man, likely with small hands, can have trouble splitting his fingers far enough to throw his best pitch, the splitter. Perhaps we should see how he does with that before we trade our existing closer.
Yeh, know that has been a point of discussion.
Since he has been an unrestricted FA and a number of teams have been interested in signing him … would expect he has held some workouts with the various scouts using the ML ball to showcase his stuff is still there. Additionally, guessing that knowing he will be going to the ML … he has spent the winter working out with the ML ball. So, the transition may be well under way and not waiting for ST to deal with the issue.
The fact that the projection is only for a 2-3 year contract at near $10MM AAV … in this market … for a 28 year old LHP … would seem the teams are taking that risk into account.
#1040 · December 20, 2023, 1:21 am
I guess the other route if they sign Matsui and keep Suarez is to make more payroll space by trading Cronenworth or Kim (realistically creating a different position player need) unless they get a starting body in return who is league minimum cost.
The other implication is that Preller is planning to go with some of the prospects … Merrill, Marsee, Pauley to fill at least one (if not more) of the holes … not optimum if they want to be a contender BUT might be the plan.
If A then B unless it is C or D or ……
Going to be very tough for Preller to make a contender and stay within budget … that forces all options on the table I guess.