Quote from sportwarrior on January 22, 2024, 10:48 pm

Quote from Alex Tamayo on January 22, 2024, 7:00 pm

Quote from sportwarrior on January 22, 2024, 3:29 pm

Quote from WindsorUK on January 22, 2024, 2:47 pm

Is Stanley Jefferson available? How about Rupert Jones? Or perhaps Jerry Mumphrey? I'm sure ALL would be better options than we currently have( which is nothing)

I'd settle for Ben Johnson and Jay Payton at this point.

How about Jon Knott, Paul McAulty, Rubén Rivera, etc? 😁

Freddy Guzman.

Luis Durango.

Jody Gerut.

Adam Hyzdu.

All free agents.

Quote from fenn68 on January 23, 2024, 3:59 am

Rumor has Paxton signing for $12MM … early estimate was only $8MMish … so the theme of having to pay FA pitchers more (a lot more) than expected continues. Just solidifies two of my thoughts:

1. Since never really know who among the prospects will really develop … don’t trade any of the pitching prospects (except maybe in a blockbuster deal) in order to build an effective future pitching staff … one the Padres will not be able to afford via FA signings.

2. Given the need across MLB … even mid-range ML pitchers have substantial value … so the Padres may be able to get a quality return (eg ML hitter) if they want to move a pitcher (most likely an arm such as De Los Santos, Wilson, Avila, Waldron).

==========

On the other hand, still seems to be a very repressed market for FA hitters … clearly less action than with pitchers … maybe because how teams see their internal options … maybe just not the most appealing group of FA hitters. That suggests that a number of “bodies” will be around for the Padres to sign at bargain prices as ST starts … not saying good hitters but bodies to fill the voids.

Quote from fenn68 on January 23, 2024, 4:16 am

AJ Cassavell as the MLB.com writer for the Padres website … tends to be more positive / neutral on Padres’ issues than most. Keeping that in mind, his latest comments are worth consideration for the implications.

First, positive on Machado’s recovery and suggested he COULD be ready to play 3B to start the season but if not should be a “short” spell as DH. IF true, that may shape how they add to cover Machado as a DH. Maybe instead of shifting Kim to 3B / Cronenworth to 2B … keep them at 2B/1B and do a filler at 3B (Batten, Rosario).

Second, he dropped in Pauley as a player to watch out for being in the mix. Suggested the Padres are very high on his bat. He basically is a 3B and a LHH … so even as a short term filler might be a solid option. I would add … given the void of LHH and three hitters for the ML roster … if they test Pauley at 3B to start the season and IF he shows he can provide an acceptable bat he could remain as the DH/Utility option providing that LHH. He can play 2B and maybe LF if pressed. Given the Padres have zip to cover three hitters and an unimpressive group of FA … guessing the threshold for his needed output is pretty low being at league minimum.

Quote from WindsorUK on January 23, 2024, 6:08 am

Quote from sportwarrior on January 22, 2024, 10:48 pm

Quote from Alex Tamayo on January 22, 2024, 7:00 pm

Quote from sportwarrior on January 22, 2024, 3:29 pm

Quote from WindsorUK on January 22, 2024, 2:47 pm

Is Stanley Jefferson available? How about Rupert Jones? Or perhaps Jerry Mumphrey? I'm sure ALL would be better options than we currently have( which is nothing)

I'd settle for Ben Johnson and Jay Payton at this point.

How about Jon Knott, Paul McAulty, Rubén Rivera, etc? 😁

Freddy Guzman.

Luis Durango.

Jody Gerut.

Adam Hyzdu.

All free agents.

Surely Steve Finley must still be in shape???

These names were blasts from the past! ( I totally forgot about Ben Johnson)

Kind of shows when you get a decent CF, probably worth keeping around, as decent ones are hard to come by( It'd be hard to believe Grisham would have been a deal breaker in the Soto deal)

Quote from BoosterSD on January 23, 2024, 6:32 am

Quote from fenn68 on January 23, 2024, 4:16 am

Second, he dropped in Pauley as a player to watch out for being in the mix. Suggested the Padres are very high on his bat. He basically is a 3B and a LHH … so even as a short term filler might be a solid option. I would add … given the void of LHH and three hitters for the ML roster … if they test Pauley at 3B to start the season and IF he shows he can provide an acceptable bat he could remain as the DH/Utility option providing that LHH. He can play 2B and maybe LF if pressed. Given the Padres have zip to cover three hitters and an unimpressive group of FA … guessing the threshold for his needed output is pretty low being at league minimum.

With the ability to play 3B, is there any reason Pauley cant slide to 1B?

Quote from Randy Manese on January 23, 2024, 7:33 am

10.5M for Chapman. 12M for Paxton.  These are ridiculous salaries for players who are well over the hill or are huge injury risks.  Dodgers have unlimited resources so they can be as foolish as they want with their money, but the Pirates?  So far, I think the Padres have made the best use of what little resources they have had at their disposal and not vastly overpaid for players who likely won't be major contributors toward the success of their respective team's seasons.   I think we are all spoiled by the free spending they've done in the past, but if you have a hard budget, you have to live within in as best you can.  The money available is what it is so get over it.

Also, I'm surprised that so many posters are bemoaning the fact that we finally got rid of Grisham.  For the past two years, there were complaints after complaints of how awful and nonproductive Grisham was but despite the obvious offensive failures, he still played good defense.  Well, that defense also has deteriorated over the past year so to have to pay him 5.5M for what little he would add to the everyday lineup is probably not the  best use of your budget if you're not the Dodgers or the Yankees.  Again, the bar to replace him is very low.  Don't think Azocar is the answer (I don't think he should even make the 26-man) but give Marsee a chance.  If he fails, there are literally dozens of FA's or back-up guys on other rosters at nominal cost who can perform at the level that Grisham has done over the past 2 years.  We have 2 months before we open the season in Korea - a lot can happen in that time.

And, to respond to Booster's question, yes, Pauley could play 1b.  Might be a viable platoon with Campusano or others.  Pauley is projected to be the best overall hitter of the Marsee, Pauley, Martorella group.

Quote from fenn68 on January 23, 2024, 7:47 am

Quote from BoosterSD on January 23, 2024, 6:32 am

Quote from fenn68 on January 23, 2024, 4:16 am

Second, he dropped in Pauley as a player to watch out for being in the mix. Suggested the Padres are very high on his bat. He basically is a 3B and a LHH … so even as a short term filler might be a solid option. I would add … given the void of LHH and three hitters for the ML roster … if they test Pauley at 3B to start the season and IF he shows he can provide an acceptable bat he could remain as the DH/Utility option providing that LHH. He can play 2B and maybe LF if pressed. Given the Padres have zip to cover three hitters and an unimpressive group of FA … guessing the threshold for his needed output is pretty low being at league minimum.

With the ability to play 3B, is there any reason Pauley cant slide to 1B?

I was thinking that as a future option once Kim leaves and Cronenworth shifts back to 2B.

Padres should have a lot of options in 2025 if Pauley, Merrill, and Marsee prove to be ML talents. Pauley may be the swing man since Merrill is probably the best INF option (probably at 2B) forcing Cronenworth to stay at 1B. Marsee is probably the best OF option (be it LF or CF). So, Pauley may be in LF … or DH / LF / 1B swing man (but still full time). All three are LHH … so would be a strong complement to the RHH heavy core.

I will assume they cannot trade Cronenworth but IF they love Kim so much and they re-sign him for 2B … Merrill could end up in the OF and Pauley becomes the clear DH / utility.

Long shot all three develop into ML starters (but possible) … then consider the payroll limits … with past those three little near term coming in the system … not out of the question all three are in the 2025 line-up … in some configuration. Actually could be late 2024 if who the Padres add for those void roles don’t cut it or injuries pile up.

 

Quote from BoosterSD on January 23, 2024, 8:34 am

If Preller believes that Pauley's bat can start the season in the MLs, then lets put people where they can have the best success.

Kim starts at 3B until Machado can play with Pauley at 1B, Crone at 2B, and Bogaerts at SS. Then Kim (who proved this last season) can bounce around the INF giving Machado, Bogaerts, and Crone days off the field and take DH duty that day. Saving money instead of getting a full time DH.

Then we can sign Eddie Rosario (another LHH) for LF, trade for Carlson for CF (SH), and bring back Cooper for LF/1B RHH help.

For the start of the season Kim 3B, Bogaerts SS, Crone 2B, and Pauley 1B, with Campusano C, Machado DH. An OF of Rosario LF, Carlson CF, and Tatis in RF. The bench would be Cooper, Higa, Azocar, and the best of Batten, E Rosario, Marcano.

Quote from fenn68 on January 23, 2024, 10:07 am

Quote from BoosterSD on January 23, 2024, 8:34 am

If Preller believes that Pauley's bat can start the season in the MLs, then lets put people where they can have the best success.

Kim starts at 3B until Machado can play with Pauley at 1B, Crone at 2B, and Bogaerts at SS. Then Kim (who proved this last season) can bounce around the INF giving Machado, Bogaerts, and Crone days off the field and take DH duty that day. Saving money instead of getting a full time DH.

Then we can sign Eddie Rosario (another LHH) for LF, trade for Carlson for CF (SH), and bring back Cooper for LF/1B RHH help.

For the start of the season Kim 3B, Bogaerts SS, Crone 2B, and Pauley 1B, with Campusano C, Machado DH. An OF of Rosario LF, Carlson CF, and Tatis in RF. The bench would be Cooper, Higa, Azocar, and the best of Batten, E Rosario, Marcano.

Agree with the first statement but come to a different conclusion … especially if this is only for a couple of weeks until Machado is back at 3B.

Pauley has never payed 1B and has been primarily a 3B (secondarily a 2B) for his entire MiL / College career. Having him start in the ML maybe a bit sooner than planned, it should be a plan to minimize the challenge to get the best out of his bat … having to learn 1B at the same time gets in the way. In the long term … 1B sure … but in his debut maybe not the best for his success. I actually takes some skills to play ML 1B.

Kim wins the gold glove at 2B … Cronenworth is one of the top defensive 1B in 2023 … not sure shifting them for just a few weeks then shifting them back is better for the team winning in those first couple of weeks.