Quote from fenn68 on December 5, 2023, 6:59 pm

The guys on MLB network still think the NYY will be heavy in on adding Soto … maybe using Verdugo or maybe dealing Verdugo to another team for someone the Padres covet …  (or to cover someone the NYY will have to move to get Soto).

So, if any of those scenarios are right … could see a Soto deal soon.

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The other comment was that the NYY still don’t have a CF … none are “real” CF. So, even if the Soto deal does not work … maybe Grisham still does (Padres sign Lee).

 

Quote from TucsonClip on December 5, 2023, 7:15 pm

https://twitter.com/YESNetwork/status/1732235960019017789?t=sbPbD9T5fE83CW5CHwC4NQ&s=19

Quote from lafnboy13 on December 5, 2023, 8:54 pm

Quote from TucsonClip on December 5, 2023, 7:15 pm

https://twitter.com/YESNetwork/status/1732235960019017789?t=sbPbD9T5fE83CW5CHwC4NQ&s=19

They are softening up the NYY fanbase for the price of Soto.

Quote from Randy Manese on December 5, 2023, 11:55 pm

I wonder if the Padres signaled the Yankees that someone like Verdugo would be acceptable in lieu of  2 or 3 prospects the Yankees don't want to give up.  Preller could then turn around and trade Verdugo and others to Milwaukee for Burnes;  Verdugo is expected to get 9M in his last year of arbitration, while Burnes is expected to get 16M also in his last year before free agency.

So my deal would actually be a 3 team trade with the Padres trading Soto and Grisham to NY for King, Verdugo and others; Verdugo plus others go to Milwaukee for Burnes.  This allows the Yankees to fill its LH hitting spots plus get a real CF; allows the Padres to get 2 SPs plus money to sign Lee for CF; and allows Milwaukee to fortify their OF, get some young prospects and reduce their payroll.

Makes too much sense for it to happen, but as I said earlier, the name of the game is speculation and according to MLB sources, the Padres/Yankees possible trade has "reignited and intensified".

Quote from sportwarrior on December 5, 2023, 11:58 pm

Holy hell, please don't let Verdugo be a part of this equation. It's already traumatizing enough to be faced with selling a player like Soto to the Yankees. Don't add the single most mediocre and overrated former Dodger to the mix. Jesus.

Quote from Randy Manese on December 6, 2023, 12:33 am

Only want Verdugo if Milwaukee will take him in trade for Burnes.  Otherwise, you are right, don't want him on the Padres either!  Milwaukee needs to take some pressure off of uber-prospect OF Jackson Chourio, so Verdugo might be viewed as a good mentor and it is only for 1 year.  Brewers are not going to be competitive in 2024, so a way to save a little money before they lose Burnes anyway to free agency next year.

Quote from fenn68 on December 6, 2023, 2:03 am

Not a fan of Verdugo … and based on the return Boston got there was not a great market for him. Had some attitude issues and conflict with Cora about getting into games. (Should note reports that Soto had issues with being on his own agenda and showed up to meetings late, would not meet with Melvin without Boras, etc).  However, his stat line is OK and without Soto not sure can find a better (cheaper) FA or other trade option.

Milw can do a lot better if they deal Burnes … cheaper, long control … Verdugo would do little for them and don’t think anyone would want him as a mentor.

Preller has said a couple of times he likes players in their contact year …thinking they buckle down and produce their best results. So he indeed may see a “better” Verdugo for 2024 as he still wants to contend and then moves on from him.

So, yeh, I could see Preller singling to the NYY that if they added Verdugo to whatever package they were closing in on a deal could be struck.

Trade Soto and Grisham for Verdugo and King (plus prospects) and still save about $24MM … add that to the $11MM all ready under the $200MM and a pool of $36MM to sign Lee and Sanchez and still have money for another SP.

Maybe a better route to contend in 2024 than just relying on prospects while dodging more expensive long term deals. Basically is buying time until the internal prospects are ready in 2025.

Probably can add Burnes or Bieber … both with one year control … for mid-tier prospects and potentially setting a starting 4 of Musgrove - Darvish - King - Burnes or Bieber - and roll the dice on #5 with a minimum salary type to start the season with the thought one of the prospects may come mid-season to round out the staff.

An offense of Campusano/Sanchez - Bogaert - Cronenworth - Kim - Machado - Verdugo - Lee - Tatis would be competitive. This is where for the 9th bat (DH) the could test Marsee/Pauley or, if he signs cheap re-sign Profar.

Maybe not my favorite roster but maybe the most realistic competitive roster for 2024 (within budget) if all those theoretically options really don’t exist.

Quote from fenn68 on December 6, 2023, 2:08 am

See that Caratini signs for 2 years / $12MM with HOU as their “back-up” catcher.

Earlier reports had the Padres meeting with Sanchez for a deal in the $6-8MM range. I guess that the Caratini signing might solidify the parameters of a Sanchez deal in that price range and now likely for 2 years (which is fine to allow Salas to develop on his own timeline and provide insurance if Campusano gets injured or fades).

Quote from fenn68 on December 6, 2023, 2:15 am

Although I (and most) thought that Carpenter would be released (or at least dumped in trade package) … beginning to see him on the opening day 26 man. With the payroll limits and they have to pay him anyway since no one will take him … might just let him sit as the LHH PH/DH to start the season to see if there is anything at all left (not likely) while buying time for Marsee / Pauley / Martorella to further develop in AAA/AA and become mid-season call-ups.