Quote from fenn68 on December 6, 2023, 10:49 am

Took a Quick Look at the three reported to be coming to SD:

1. King (28) RHP … a little less than $3MM and 2 years control … very effective as a RP for NY then ended up a SP and still very effective. Clearly moves into the Padre starting rotation. 2023 he pitched 105 innings to a 2.75 ERA (RP then 9 starts.

2. Thorpe (23) RHP … 2023 was his first season as a pro (drafted in the 2nd round in 2022) and he had 109 innings in A+ (2.81 ERA) then 30 innings in AA (1.48 ERA) … sits in the 90’s as a Top 100 prospect. Good chance a mid-season call-up … outside chance make the club out of ST.

3. Brito (25) RHP … rookie in 2023 but did not gain a service year so 6 years control. Was good in the minors and as a starter (13) and RP he had 90 ML innings at a respectable 4.28 ERA … considering a rookie in the AL East. Might just be a surprise pitching at PETCO and be in the 2024 starting rotation to start. Mid-90s FB and some good stuff.

So possible the Padres landed two starters to begin the season (King and Brito) and a wave of arms on the cusp of arriving … they do not have to do something dumb in pursuit of marginal SP … so maybe only add one more significant reliable arm. Then there is a chance Cronenworth gets another ML ready arm that fills out the staff.

Quote from Notmyopic on December 6, 2023, 11:05 am

Quote from fenn68 on December 6, 2023, 10:49 am

Took a Quick Look at the three reported to be coming to SD:

1. King (28) RHP … a little less than $3MM and 2 years control … very effective as a RP for NY then ended up a SP and still very effective. Clearly moves into the Padre starting rotation. 2023 he pitched 105 innings to a 2.75 ERA (RP then 9 starts.

2. Thorpe (23) RHP … 2023 was his first season as a pro (drafted in the 2nd round in 2022) and he had 109 innings in A+ (2.81 ERA) then 30 innings in AA (1.48 ERA) … sits in the 90’s as a Top 100 prospect. Good chance a mid-season call-up … outside chance make the club out of ST.

3. Brito (25) RHP … rookie in 2023 but did not gain a service year so 6 years control. Was good in the minors and as a starter (13) and RP he had 90 ML innings at a respectable 4.28 ERA … considering a rookie in the AL East. Might just be a surprise pitching at PETCO and be in the 2024 starting rotation to start. Mid-90s FB and some good stuff.

So possible the Padres landed two starters to begin the season (King and Brito) and a wave of arms on the cusp of arriving … they do not have to do something dumb in pursuit of marginal SP … so maybe only add one more significant reliable arm. Then there is a chance Cronenworth gets another ML ready arm that fills out the staff.

This actually sounds like pretty much the best possible deal for the Padres.  Young, controllable cheap pitching between trade and minors for a long time.  Allows them to focus on extending Kim and possibly Lee.  Still wouldn’t mind a lesser prospect for one year of Bieber.

Quote from Notmyopic on December 6, 2023, 11:06 am

If this goes down, with all the young pitching in the coming years, I wonder if Darvish eventually moves to the pen to accommodate them and potentially make his stuff play up.

Quote from fenn68 on December 6, 2023, 11:10 am

Quote from Notmyopic on December 6, 2023, 11:06 am

If this goes down, with all the young pitching in the coming years, I wonder if Darvish eventually moves to the pen to accommodate them and potentially make his stuff play up.

Or get traded.

Quote from Notmyopic on December 6, 2023, 11:15 am

Quote from fenn68 on December 6, 2023, 11:10 am

Quote from Notmyopic on December 6, 2023, 11:06 am

If this goes down, with all the young pitching in the coming years, I wonder if Darvish eventually moves to the pen to accommodate them and potentially make his stuff play up.

Or get traded.

Didn’t he get a partial no trade?  I would love to see him traded after this coming season.  Getting him and Crone off the books would be huge

Quote from fenn68 on December 6, 2023, 11:21 am

Padres took a RP from SEA in the Rule 5 then passed after.

Stephen Kolek (25) RHRP who was in AAA … not great stats but maybe they see something in his spin rate (or similar) to work with to take the gamble … sure have to roster room.

Quote from sportwarrior on December 6, 2023, 11:22 am

Padres draft Stephen Kolek, 26 year old RHP out of the Mariners organization.

EDIT: Agh, of course Fenn beat me to it.

Quote from fenn68 on December 6, 2023, 11:27 am

Quote from Notmyopic on December 6, 2023, 11:15 am

Quote from fenn68 on December 6, 2023, 11:10 am

Quote from Notmyopic on December 6, 2023, 11:06 am

If this goes down, with all the young pitching in the coming years, I wonder if Darvish eventually moves to the pen to accommodate them and potentially make his stuff play up.

Or get traded.

Didn’t he get a partial no trade?  I would love to see him traded after this coming season.  Getting him and Crone off the books would be huge

Yes, a full no trade but considering his final three season salary drops to $15 - 14 -14MM he may waive the no trade for a small boost (bonus) to approve a deal to maybe a contender.

Or you can look at it as though those salaries in 4-6 years will seem like peanuts and keeping in around (as you suggest) in the pen.

Quote from Randy Manese on December 6, 2023, 11:33 am

Padres reunite with LHP Omar Cruz, who they traded away several years ago to Pittsburgh, in the AAA phase.  Cruz hasn't really put it together for Pittsburgh, not advancing beyond HiA with any success but still only 25 years old this coming January.