Quote from Randy Manese on December 4, 2023, 8:27 am

While Snell would like to play in his hometown, the Mariners top 2 contracts are for pitchers - Luis Castillo and Robbie Ray.  Ray, coming off TJ surgery, is signed thru 2026 while Castillo is signed thru 2028 with both at or slightly below 25M per year.   Would Seattle try to lock up another pitcher long-term for at least the same amount of money or would they rather pivot toward improving their offense given the many holes that DiPoto has created via trade and free agency?    Rodriguez and Raleigh are their only power sources although Crawford hit an atypical 19 HRs last year - do they expect France, Urias and Rojas to support them sufficiently to not waste good performances by their pitching staff?  They would love to get Arozarena and Paredes but why wouldn't Tampa Bay hold on to these relatively low cost players on their roster?  They also have to dump salary is Glasnow, Margot and others so don't see a deal unless Seattle gives up a very very good pitcher or two.  It's going to be interesting to see how DiPoto works his magic.  Padres trade has as good a chance as the Tampa Bay trade, in my opinion.

Quote from fenn68 on December 4, 2023, 8:32 am

Listen to Morosi this morning … and speculation is just that at this point as things can turn on a dime … but Morosi thinks a Soto deal may be down to NYY and TOR. Both have the need, willing to spend the money, and does not hurt they are in direct competition.

He seemed to think the NYY had the deeper set of trade chips and their need for a LHH power hitter is great (think 2nd last LHH HR in 2023 which is amazing consider Yankee Stadium). Just don’t know who might be really available from each team and maybe TOR quality may exceed NYY volume?

Also, the NYY are clearly a shot in the dark by the insiders since Morosi tossed in a couple of other names not previously mentioned (Peraza, Jones) and Pereira who NYY previously said was off the board. King and Thorpe seem to be consistent though.

Also does seem NYY are more Soto than Bellinger and are leaning towards signing him as a FA (if they can) next winter.

Quote from fenn68 on December 4, 2023, 8:44 am

Another comment by Morosi … caught me off guard … suggesting the ATL may be a landing spot for Ohtani who apparently has multiple offers in excess of $500MM (so maybe the highest bid may not be the clinching factor).

Although many thought Ohtani’s comfort with the West Coast was important, Morosi is suggesting at this point landing on a consistent winner may take precedent … and after 6 years in ML he may be comfortable anywhere. Atlanta has locked up a lot of young high level talent for years to come and does have the history of winning.

Ripple effect if Ohtani to ATL … LAD, SF, Cubs may redirect to Bellinger / Soto and that would expand the completion for Soto … even more if Bellinger is a quick sign. At least Ohtani sounds like a decision in a week so maybe after that the dominoes will start dropping quickly. Alternatively, if some teams already get the sense they are out, they may push early on Soto or Bellinger before new completion emerges and the price goes up. An interesting dance among teams and agents balancing minimal cost to the team vs maximum pay for the player.

Quote from BoosterSD on December 4, 2023, 8:47 am

I still think it will end up being NYY. I dont think TOR will include Tiedemann and thats probably the most realistic piece for SD. Manoah can not be the headliner, he is a filler piece.

Obviously Soto is the predominate piece; however, I still think Preller cleans out the other players that are one year away from FA, and Grisham.

Carpenter gets attached to Soto deal, Grisham goes to NYY, MIN, or MIA, and Kim to MIA. And possibly there is something to work out with SEA or TOR for Crone.

All those things happen, SD now has only the Big 3 and Musgrove, Darvish, and Suarez on long term deals. And SD now has about $70-75 this offseason to spend on the holes (SP) plus the pieces back in the trades.

And the MiL reinforcements start contributing around the middle of 2024, or the beginning of 2025.

Quote from BoosterSD on December 4, 2023, 9:01 am

With those moves, SD would need a LF, CF, 2B, and a 1B. Not to mention bench pieces, back up C, INF, and OFer.

C, Victor Caratini, he is a switch hitter and was liked by Darvish. 1B, Rowdy Tellez, is LHH and has power, after a lesser year, should be inexpensive. 2B/SS Merrill ready out of ST? If not, plenty of inexpensive options to place hold until he is ready. Sanchez could be a DH and 3rd C option. LF, Profar. CF, Merrifield, until Marsee is ready. Bench pieces, Peralta and Cooper and Azocar.

All these options should be on the inexpensive side, and leave a lot of monies for Starting Pitching.

Quote from fenn68 on December 4, 2023, 9:16 am

Quote from BoosterSD on December 4, 2023, 9:01 am

With those moves, SD would need a LF, CF, 2B, and a 1B. Not to mention bench pieces, back up C, INF, and OFer.

C, Victor Caratini, he is a switch hitter and was liked by Darvish. 1B, Rowdy Tellez, is LHH and has power, after a lesser year, should be inexpensive. 2B/SS Merrill ready out of ST? If not, plenty of inexpensive options to place hold until he is ready. Sanchez could be a DH and 3rd C option. LF, Profar. CF, Merrifield, until Marsee is ready. Bench pieces, Peralta and Cooper and Azocar.

All these options should be on the inexpensive side, and leave a lot of monies for Starting Pitching.

Very good chance if they moved Soto, Kim, and Cronenworth they  would get back the 3 SP they need for 2024 …. So the money avoided actually could go for filling the offensive holes … if there were any decent offensive options left on the table. The others Grisham, Carpenter are just throw-ins.

Might even get the 3 SP by moving Soto and Cronenworth … Keep Kim to fill out the INF and let him go after 2024 (or extend him). Might be a better strategy if they want to contend in 2024 … he is only $7MM.

Quote from Randy Manese on December 4, 2023, 9:25 am

Lee gets posted today and with Kim, San Diego has the advantage early IF they don't trade Kim AND they clear some money for a salary that is close to what Lee is going to be offered (13-15M range is likely the high end).  You have to remember that Kim was a better power/speed prospect than Lee, so that comes into play.  If Padres wait longer to trade Soto or trade Kim then Lee signs elsewhere.  I know we need SP, but Lee would be a great fit given his career OPS (mostly OBP) and defensive ability.  Not a power source, so some teams will back off of him and others may look at Kim and other ex-Korean players and believe there might be a problem with Lee hitting upper level velocity, but Lee's got great bat to ball skills and walks more than he strikes out, so he would be good at the top of the lineup ahead of our power hitters.   Lee is the kind of hitter Seattle is looking for.

Quote from BoosterSD on December 4, 2023, 9:35 am

Quote from Randy Manese on December 4, 2023, 9:25 am

Lee gets posted today and with Kim, San Diego has the advantage early IF they don't trade Kim AND they clear some money for a salary that is close to what Lee is going to be offered (13-15M range is likely the high end).  You have to remember that Kim was a better power/speed prospect than Lee, so that comes into play.  If Padres wait longer to trade Soto or trade Kim then Lee signs elsewhere.  I know we need SP, but Lee would be a great fit given his career OPS (mostly OBP) and defensive ability.  Not a power source, so some teams will back off of him and others may look at Kim and other ex-Korean players and believe there might be a problem with Lee hitting upper level velocity, but Lee's got great bat to ball skills and walks more than he strikes out, so he would be good at the top of the lineup ahead of our power hitters.   Lee is the kind of hitter Seattle is looking for.

With the prospects that SD has coming, Marsee, Merrill (might need a new position based on Bogaerts and Crone) not to mention the lower ranks, I still dont see a need for a long term CF option. To me Lee especially when it could be at least $10M per season, is not necessary for this team.

I know that we want to run from Grisham's lack of performance at the plate. But with the bar set so low, could we not really fill that with either a league min rookie or a veteran piece that could be a one or two year commitment, instead of a long term, expensive solution.

Quote from MrPadre19 on December 4, 2023, 9:37 am

Bring back Alfaro and Jankowski...should be cheap.

2nd catcher and 4th outfielder.