Quote from fenn68 on January 2, 2024, 11:05 am

Listened to Bob Nightingale this morning about the Padres potential adds. According to him the Padres are telling agents that they have between $20-25MM to spend on multiple needs. Apparently they were interested in Kiermaier BUT not at $10.5MM and backed-off.

Sort of confirms what most have been speculating ... and a plus $20-25MM does not care if it is a FA signing or an add via trade.

Sort of creates a scenario where they "can't" trade any top prospects in a fair trade since the return "should be" a quality ML player but a quality ML player will have a big contract that will not fit the payroll limit. Don't think Preller will be desperate enough to trade a top prospect for a mid level ML player ... likely little better than a low end FA (or what the have).

So, $24MM for three OF FA and no adds to the pitching? Are we sitting where Marsee NEEDS to be one of those hitters ... $24MM for two OF should get a better product. $24MM for two OF and one SP?

Quote from sportwarrior on January 2, 2024, 12:05 pm

There's a rumor out there that we offered Roberto Osuna a contract, but that he's choosing to play in Japan.

I don't care to win with someone like that on the team, and the thought that the Padres (allegedly) tried to moneyball domestic violence is extremely disappointing.

Quote from Jeremy Hill on January 2, 2024, 7:23 pm

I don't know if I believe he's likely to be our closer, but if it's in the same ballpark as the Matsui deal annually I like this.

https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1742383109901844744

Quote from Randy Manese on January 2, 2024, 9:54 pm

Padres lost a lot of games early in the year when the middle relief pitchers (Crismatt, Garcia, Hill, Honeywell, Tapia) failed.  At least with Matsui and Go, we have some experienced arms that have been through high leverage situations that will help keep Cosgrove, Wilson, De Los Santos and Suarez and others fresh and available.  If the other members of the bullpen are the long men/candidates for the bottom of the rotation, we then throw Brito or Vasquez, Morejon, Iriarte, Avila, Waldron, Kolek, Patino into the competition as well as a few guys on minor league contracts who will be invited to camp.  So, unless they trade Suarez, I think we're done with the bullpen and probably still have around 18-20M left to play with.  Go is the brother-in-law of Jung Hoo Lee, so somewhat surprised he didn't go to SF.

I look for a Profar signing soon.

Quote from fenn68 on January 3, 2024, 5:00 am

Go at 25 and with 7 years of experience of a closer (pressure situations) he should be a good end of game option even if he is not the closer … did have a bit of a high BB rate to go with this high K rate. So, should be “entertaining” when he comes in.

Will be interesting to see the contract terms. Preller has said adding to the pen was important but I would be more focusing on the OF (given they have 2 and need 5). Maybe part of this signing is a pivot by Preller who may not be getting traction with FA/trades for OF/SP … at least at a workable price.

Add Go and Matsui (L) to Suarez (hopefully healthy) and Cosgrove (L) sets up a potentially deep “end of game” set of arms  On the edge as set-up should be De Los Santos and Wilson (if healthy). No Hader but a lot of potential mix and match to get get quality results and never know if one emerges to lead the pack.

Side: Padres have been wanting to be a presence on the Pacific Rim for years … now not at the Ohtani / Yamamoto level but they now sit with Darvish / Matsui and Kim / Go keeps them in the game. Wonder if that will play a factor in extending Kim (besides just being good). Only the “incremental” AAV will kick in next year … so maybe at most a $10MM hit over his current level. If so, maybe more push to deal Cronenworth or converting him (or Merrill) to the OF. Maybe the INF of Machado, Bogaerts, Kim, Cronenworth, plus Merrill can co-exist rotating through the DH.

Quote from fenn68 on January 3, 2024, 5:23 am

The pitching will be an interesting competition as to who has what role and who makes opening day roster. Adding Go and Matsui is setting up some new “bubble” arms for those last slots. Potentiallly (just my guess):

4 SP: Musgrove; Darvish; King; Vasquez

2 SP/Long Relief: Brito; Avila (no minor league option)

4 RHRP: Suarez; Go; De Los Santos; Wilson (if healthy)

2 LHRP: Matsui (L); Cosgrove (L)

that is 12 of the 13 26 man roster slots … so, 1 “bubble” opening and assuming no non-roster pitcher pops up … who is battling?

3 arms that can’t be optioned (Kolek, Rule 5; Groome; Patino)

8 “others”: Morejon (L); Iriate; Waldron; Reynolds; Jacobs; Estrada; Gillespie; Otto

Out of those 11 … not sure I see a clear cut option for the 13th slot on the 26 man or even less for enough to bump one of the first 12. Morejon may have the advantage being a LHP … but given his health not a slam dunk. Could be a lot of opportunity for those optioned to AAA for call-ups rotating through that 13th slot (and to cover injuries) … but as the season move on we could see some of the non-roster prospects emerge for that role.

Quote from fenn68 on January 3, 2024, 5:42 am

Current report suggests the Go deal will be for 2 years and something more than $9MM plus a club option. So a $5MM+/- AAV hit?

Money for three hitters now $15-20MM? Not a lot in this market. Makes it more likely we see Marsee (at league minimum) being one of those three.

Quote from BoosterSD on January 3, 2024, 7:05 am

I am still of the thought that Kim gets traded. I can see something where MIA gets Kim and Groome or Morejon(?). SD gets Cabrera and a prospect or two, and those prospects get flipped to CLE for Bieber.

MIA gets their starting SS. SD gets two more SPs while only adding about $6M±, and CLE gets the money savings, and a couple of prospects to keep their pipe full.

Then take that remaining $10-12M, and sign Profar, Bader, and Cooper. Or depending on the money ask, Santana over Cooper.

Rotation looks better with Bieber and Cabrera added into the mix, could actually go 6 man rotation at that point, Musgrove, Darvish, King, Bieber, Cabrera, and Vasquez.

Starting OF of Profar, Bader, and Tatis with Azocar as the back up. Allowing Marsee to start the season in the MiL, and be available for a call up based on performance and/or injury.

Starting INF would be Batten or Pauley (if ready from ST), Bogaerts, Crone, and Cooper/Santana with Machado at DH until he can play 3B, and then if performing Pauley can supplant or platoon with Cooper at 1B. Or if it is Santana, then he can move to DH.

Quote from fenn68 on January 3, 2024, 7:48 am

Quote from BoosterSD on January 3, 2024, 7:05 am

I am still of the thought that Kim gets traded. I can see something where MIA gets Kim and Groome or Morejon(?). SD gets Cabrera and a prospect or two, and those prospects get flipped to CLE for Bieber.

MIA gets their starting SS. SD gets two more SPs while only adding about $6M±, and CLE gets the money savings, and a couple of prospects to keep their pipe full.

Then take that remaining $10-12M, and sign Profar, Bader, and Cooper. Or depending on the money ask, Santana over Cooper.

Rotation looks better with Bieber and Cabrera added into the mix, could actually go 6 man rotation at that point, Musgrove, Darvish, King, Bieber, Cabrera, and Vasquez.

Starting OF of Profar, Bader, and Tatis with Azocar as the back up. Allowing Marsee to start the season in the MiL, and be available for a call up based on performance and/or injury.

Starting INF would be Batten or Pauley (if ready from ST), Bogaerts, Crone, and Cooper/Santana with Machado at DH until he can play 3B, and then if performing Pauley can supplant or platoon with Cooper at 1B. Or if it is Santana, then he can move to DH.

In this market where SP are carrying a very high value … a bit optimistic that Kim (1 year control) could get Cabrera (league minimum, 5 years control, major upside) plus a prospect (or two) good enough to get Bieber out of Cleveland.

Groome and Morejon have little trade value … actually Groome none.

Both MIA and CLEV could do better dealing with other teams if they wanted to move those two. Kim to MIA is still possible but since they are still a contender … will offer first prospects and maybe Rogers but not someone as valuable as Cabrera. Good chance MIA picks up a FA SS on the cheap.