Quote from fenn68 on February 28, 2024, 1:41 pm

Quote from brent wolff on February 28, 2024, 11:46 am

Anyone else feeling we are going to really regret the trade we made to get Soto?  I know the Pads were all in because of Peter Seidler's failing health, but Abrams, Wood, Hassell are all looking good and who knows if Susana will develop into a quality starter or not.

Hopefully King, Vasquez, Brito & Thorpe will offset some of that, but it appears we gave up possibly 3 plus bats and 6 years of control of each for 1 & 1/2 seasons of Soto plus the pitching acquired from the NYY.

No regret on the players dealt (vs the players we have) … some regret they made any trade for Soto since never liked him on this team (even with his personal stat line).

Hassell and Susana had poor 2023 seasons and ceilings have dropped quite a bit. A lot of people still like Wood (in AA) but warning … he is a strikeout machine at this stage, so not a slam dunk ML “star”. Do miss Abrams … just OK as a ML SS but in SD he would be the starting CF, and probably a good one.

I can just as easily dream on the now (and future) of King (2 years) and Vasquez, Brito, and Thorpe (all 6 years control).

We will see in 3-4 years but like what we have now vs the potential of the players departed.

Quote from sportwarrior on February 28, 2024, 1:44 pm

Quote from brent wolff on February 28, 2024, 11:46 am

Anyone else feeling we are going to really regret the trade we made to get Soto?  I know the Pads were all in because of Peter Seidler's failing health, but Abrams, Wood, Hassell are all looking good and who knows if Susana will develop into a quality starter or not.

Hopefully King, Vasquez, Brito & Thorpe will offset some of that, but it appears we gave up possibly 3 plus bats and 6 years of control of each for 1 & 1/2 seasons of Soto plus the pitching acquired from the NYY.

I think it's quite likely that we look back in 10 years are regret it even more than many of us do now.

My biggest issue is that the trade was made under the illusion that we could "play" at the top level of payroll. This offseason has been an extremely painful crash back to the reality that no, we can't play at that level. At all. I appreciate them shooting for the moon, but what good is trading for a generational talent if you can't keep him long term?

Quote from fenn68 on February 28, 2024, 1:58 pm

Not a likely scenario but given the need for an effective DH bat and not a lot of inspiring internal options at this point … could the Padres consider:

1. Keep Campusano’s bat in the line up every day (2-3 days catch / 2-3 days DH)

2. Align Higashioka (elite defense) with Darvish since he speaks Japanese

3. Keep Sullivan (LHH) and align him with Waldron since Sullivan is most adept at dealing with the knuckleball. Sullivan may not be a great hitter (but are the other LHH options?) and has some background at 1B/LF if needed.

When Campusano is catching … a lot of DH options but if they use Higashioka (RHH) or Sullivan (LHH) they have catcher on the bench if Campusano goes down. When Campusano is DH and one of Higashioka or Sullivan is DH … and pinch hit for one as needed with the other still in reserve.

Key is keeping Campusano’s bat in the line-up and keeping him “fresh” for the season so he is not worn down for the playoffs.

Also, if not quite ready, Marsee, Pauley, and Martorella may be better served in the minors … not leaving much as bench alternatives … bench that may not play all that much given the presumed starters.

Quote from BoosterSD on February 29, 2024, 5:59 am

Reading last night on MLBTR that SD is still looking at the OF FA market. And Lin states that SD still has interest in Pham.

Am I the only that still has a bad taste after he departed SD? Or am I over playing his last seasons troubles in SD in my mind?

Depending on the price of the contract, I think I would much prefer Rosario and/or Duvall than Pham.

Quote from fenn68 on February 29, 2024, 6:34 am

Quote from BoosterSD on February 29, 2024, 5:59 am

Reading last night on MLBTR that SD is still looking at the OF FA market. And Lin states that SD still has interest in Pham.

Am I the only that still has a bad taste after he departed SD? Or am I over playing his last seasons troubles in SD in my mind?

Depending on the price of the contract, I think I would much prefer Rosario and/or Duvall than Pham.

Agree … don’t really like to watch Pham on the field and his production (and age) is not really better than Duvall (my preferred option), Rosario, Belt, or Taylor. All have different elements to their game offense, defense, LHH/RHH that may fit the Padres better but in the end all are projected in the 1 WAR range which probably shifts the call to the contract demand.

After seeing what the offensive challenged Bader / Kiermaier got as contracts … likely all at still looking in the $10MM range and some probably wanting 2 years deals. Doubt any will get to that level … clearly not all so if all are “equal” everyone just waits to sweep up the leftovers at a much lower price.

Have to factor in how time alters the desire for any of these FA. The longer the Padres look at Merrill, Marsee, et al internally or have time to work a trade … there is a real possibility that they see “similar” production out of alternatives to any FA at a much much lower cost.

Quote from fenn68 on February 29, 2024, 7:04 am

Assuming the Padres make any moves before the season, might want to look at trade options based on how the pitching staff works out … the ripple effect of those not making the staff. Just as my straw man:

SP (5): Musgrove; Darvish; King; Vasquez; Waldron (or Brito)

RHRP (5): Suarez; Wilson; De Los Santos; Go; Brito (or Waldron)

LHRP (3): Matsui; Cosgrove; Peralta

That exposes four who cannot be optioned: Avila; Kolek; Patino; Groome

Then (on the 40 man) optioned SP: Iriate, Otto, Morejon … RP: Jacob; Espada; Gillespie; Reynolds … plus some high potential non-roster options in the prospects.

Padres could go either way depending on how they evaluate all the options. One, make a deal with arms that don’t make my straw man or alternatively , have one of the players who did not make my straw man make the 26 man and deal one of the 26 man options (should yielded the better return).

Pitching is always in demand (does not have to be only top line pitchers) … Padres have what appears to be a deep crop of arms … that could yield a decent offensive add player and a price lower than any FA. Just something to consider.

Quote from WindsorUK on February 29, 2024, 6:08 pm

Wood and Hassell off to good starts in ST for Washington.

I imagine 1 will certainly make OD roster with the other not far behind.

I'd personally wish they'd never made the deal. Abrams outplayed Bogaerts until the last month of the season. Gore would be lights out at Petco. And Wood and Hassell will be better than Brito and Vasquez.

Still, can't change the past and I'm looking forward to King and Thorpe playing major roles in the rotation for the rest of the '20's.

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 29, 2024, 6:47 pm

Quote from WindsorUK on February 29, 2024, 6:08 pm

Wood and Hassell off to good starts in ST for Washington.

I imagine 1 will certainly make OD roster with the other not far behind.

I'd personally wish they'd never made the deal. Abrams outplayed Bogaerts until the last month of the season. Gore would be lights out at Petco. And Wood and Hassell will be better than Brito and Vasquez.

Still, can't change the past and I'm looking forward to King and Thorpe playing major roles in the rotation for the rest of the '20's.

We would have to extend King for this to happen.

He’s a free agent after 2025.

 

Quote from TucsonClip on February 29, 2024, 11:04 pm

Rumors that Boras is willing to do a Bellinger type deal with Snell. Likely still out of our price range, but that would have me interested.