Quote from MrPadre19 on February 28, 2024, 7:18 am

Well,I don't believe we go to Korea with just Profar/Tatis/Merrill/Azocar as outfielders on the roster.

Are guys like Mitchell and Mercado actually competing for a major league spot?

Are we just biding our time and will sign one of Rosario/Taylor/Duval/Pham?

I believe we will sign one of these remaining free agents...unless the Bellinger signing in Chi opened up a trade for one of their young outfielders?

They have a full outfield and Tauchman as a veteran versatile 4th outfielder and then 3 of their top 5 prospects are outfielders....even with Morel moving to 3B.

Pete Crow-Armstrong won't be riding the bench in Chi so he's either sent to AAA or traded.

 

 

Quote from BoosterSD on February 28, 2024, 7:20 am

Padres sign; as MLBTR states, "fleetfooted" OFer Tim Lacastro a RHH. I would imagine that he can play all 3 OF spots, and IF he can get on base (career OBP of .327), he is pretty successful in stealing bases. 45/50 attempts in ML career.

Really just an older version of Azocar?

Quote from BoosterSD on February 28, 2024, 7:23 am

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 28, 2024, 7:18 am

I believe we will sign one of these remaining free agents...unless the Bellinger signing in Chi opened up a trade for one of their young outfielders?

They have a full outfield and Tauchman as a veteran versatile 4th outfielder and then 3 of their top 5 prospects are outfielders....even with Morel moving to 3B.

Pete Crow-Armstrong won't be riding the bench in Chi so he's either sent to AAA or traded.

Well, Bellinger is only a one year with all the opt outs, and he can still play 1B. And it sounds as if they are not enamored with Mervis, so maybe PCA is not really all that available.

Maybe a play for Mervis? Or one of the other OFers is in play for a trade, and they keep PCA?

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 28, 2024, 7:40 am

Quote from BoosterSD on February 28, 2024, 7:23 am

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 28, 2024, 7:18 am

I believe we will sign one of these remaining free agents...unless the Bellinger signing in Chi opened up a trade for one of their young outfielders?

They have a full outfield and Tauchman as a veteran versatile 4th outfielder and then 3 of their top 5 prospects are outfielders....even with Morel moving to 3B.

Pete Crow-Armstrong won't be riding the bench in Chi so he's either sent to AAA or traded.

Well, Bellinger is only a one year with all the opt outs, and he can still play 1B. And it sounds as if they are not enamored with Mervis, so maybe PCA is not really all that available.

Maybe a play for Mervis? Or one of the other OFers is in play for a trade, and they keep PCA?

Yeah he probably isn't.....

Why I think we will sign one of the remaining 4 outfielders I listed.

Would prefer a trade but hard to speculate what AJ still has in the works.....

 

Quote from fenn68 on February 28, 2024, 7:58 am

Quote from BoosterSD on February 28, 2024, 6:09 am

According to MLBTR, SD is about $20M± below the first limit of the CBT mark.

So question, IF both Lorenzen and Rosario are willing to sign for the same price, which would you prefer?

I personally would lean towards Rosario, as I think we are shorter on proven LHH bats than we are available pitching, although it is close. And Rosario would make up for some of the offensive power we lost between Soto and Grisham. I think Merrill can handle CF, and that would leave Profar to be super sub, and Azocar for late inning defensive replacement of Rosario.

Thoughts?

Based on this Padre roster have to take Rosario who becomes the #1 LHH unless Cronenworth rebounds or Merrill delivers as a rookie. The three voids in the line-up become difficult to successfully to fill all three.

Lorenzen is good but Padres have a lot of arms for the #4-5 slots … so that is where I would gamble.

Basically a better chance to cover the SP than the missing position players.

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Just to be fair … it appears that Lorenzen will get a multi-year deal at much more than Rosario. So speculation that Rosario … at this point … will have to settle for a fairly low AAV 1 year deal (or even a minor league deal).

Although we see a fit with the Padres for Rosario … beginning to wonder if the Padres do (even at a reduced price). Would guess Rosario his offers that he does not like so either his ask is way out of line or everyone sees him a lesser option … maybe offering a minor league make good deal.

If the Padres are relying on the Core 6 and are looking more for speed / defense for the remaining slots … plus seeing more upside in the prospects and Profar at a lower cost … might just be waiting for a trade for a player to fit that profile.

Quote from fenn68 on February 28, 2024, 8:28 am

ST is not the greatest indicator of regular season success but did watch the game yesterday with Merrill in CF. He looked fine making several running catches. Also, looked good at the plate. Seems as though the Padres will be leaning into Merrill in the OF on opening day … in CF.

T. Gwynn Jr was expounding on the belief that CF is much easier to adapt to than a corner OF slot … his opinion should have some weight. IF Merrill is the CF … gives the Padres more flexibility on filling LF/DH slots ,,, internally or via trade.

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Adding Locastro maybe adds to the OF competition (bench) with defense / speed but more likely insurance in AAA. Baring some shuffling via trade … Azocar should be the 4th OF (Profar in LF for now) … so really only one pure OF slot open.

Mercado, Johnson, and Mitchell should have a shot (but their ML track records are not that compelling). Would not rule out Marsee if he can squeeze out LF and Profar to the DH/super utility role.

Seems they are using Pauley at 1B (not testing him in the OF) so his odds are way down unless a DH play which in turn will impact the 5th OF void.

One other to consider is Wade … not a great ML track record but a LHH for the bench who can play INF/OF (maybe supplant either Rosario or Batten)

Odds are that Preller makes a trade for a better option … just not likely a major add but more a serviceable ML type at a low cost … the threshold to a better player is quite low. I look toward the 28 teams with a full 40 man roster … players without minor league options and/or the potential of non-roster players earning a 26 man roster slot at the end of ST … “forcing” teams to seek trades of the odd man out before losing them on waivers.

 

Quote from BoosterSD on February 28, 2024, 9:02 am

Quote from fenn68 on February 28, 2024, 8:28 am

ST is not the greatest indicator of regular season success but did watch the game yesterday with Merrill in CF. He looked fine making several running catches. Also, looked good at the plate. Seems as though the Padres will be leaning into Merrill in the OF on opening day … in CF.

T. Gwynn Jr was expounding on the belief that CF is much easier to adapt to than a corner OF slot … his opinion should have some weight. IF Merrill is the CF … gives the Padres more flexibility on filling LF/DH slots ,,, internally or via trade.

I think that I would agree, and Merrill should have the wheels to perform well in CF.

I have to admit, Merrill in CF over LF makes me feel better. Choke it up to my preference of LF being a spot to hide a power bat, I know get over it old guy.

IF Merrill can cover CF for the next 4 years at a cheap cost, he should be able to supply the same power as Grisham with a better BA/OBP, I think that SD would consider that a huge win.

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 28, 2024, 10:06 am

Merrill in CF.....sign Duval for LF/DH and lets go.

 

 

Quote from fenn68 on February 28, 2024, 11:19 am

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 28, 2024, 10:06 am

Merrill in CF.....sign Duval for LF/DH and lets go.

 

 

Duvall - Pham - Taylor - Rosario - Belt are all still FA … would have thought multiple teams would like to add a veteran bat yet those five have yet to land a deal.

Is our view of the value of these guys overly optimistic on their projected 2024 production compared to the team front offices? Are they just holding for a contract that no one will offer? Are teams holding back to see what they have before making a legit move on these guys ? Agents don’t like the offers and bet that teams will find their other options are wanting (or injuries) and then get a better offer … if no better offer then take the low ball?

At this stage should be advantage teams … they can always fill the roster with “bodies” but getting to the point the remaining FA may just be without a job unless they succumb.