Quote from fenn68 on December 8, 2023, 12:01 pm

Quote from sportwarrior on December 8, 2023, 11:17 am

There's a report out there that the Jays are, in fact, going to sign Ohtani.

That should make the rest of the winter for the AL East teams a real chess match.

TOR whose weak link was some offense / LHH power … probably would vault to the odds on favorite …won 89 games in 2023.

NYY after trading all that pitching for a real need in Soto, Verdugo, and Grisham are now short of pitching if they don’t sign Yamamoto (who may be headed to the NYM) … do they overpay for Snell? Montgomery? Do they move more prospect capital for Cease?

BALT was the surprise winner in 2023 with a lot of young talent but some clear holes … pitching … historically a “low payroll team” and in the midst of a potential team sale … do they go after an elite SP or go for multiple tier 2 types such as Lugo or Wacha?

TB is clearly trying to lower payroll (as the usually do) … do they look at the rest of the AL East and conclude they cannot compete in 2024 and start a more aggressive sell off for prospects?

BOST is in a bit of no man’s land with a bad team, marginal prospects and going to be very difficult to get out of last place … do they have anything to sell (other than Devers and Story?)

Sure can envision TOR - NYY - BALT all still being aggressive through the winter to gain pole position while TB and BOST focus on a rebuild.

More directly impacting the Padres … and we say this every year … SF has to come out swinging with money for Bellinger and Lee .. and maybe the remaining elite pitchers Lee should get a mega push for SEA. LAD not to sure about … target the mega star in Ohtani … but after that based on recent moves we may not see them go big on anyone and, since they were still a strong franchise in 2023 and have returning pieces from injury may just hover in the 2nd tier of FA / trades.

Quote from MrPadre19 on December 8, 2023, 2:08 pm

Quote from fenn68 on December 8, 2023, 11:39 am

Quote from sportwarrior on December 8, 2023, 10:53 am

Out of curiosity, has anyone read or heard any rumors about moving Suarez? Or is this pure speculation here on this board?

Pure speculation on my part … or maybe more accurately my view on how to develop a better roster within the payroll limit. I can see a better use of that $9MM to get better impact than what I feel they will get from Suarez. Do the Padres see it that way?

Who's your Closer?

My guess is AJ is looking to add an 8th/9th inning guy still via trade....maybe a swap of contracts involving Cronenworth?

Or similar move....I would guess "if" he's able to secure a genuine Closer he could try to move Suarez and his $.

But moving guys like Jake and even Suarez right now would cost us $ or prospects wouldn't it?

 

How about a deal that sends Cronenworth to Miami and returns Jesus Sanchez?

Sanchez has an .808 OPS against RH pitching but only got 47 AB's against Lefties.

They need a SS and we need LH hitting outfielders and he's at $1 mil in first year of arbitration.

Sign Bader to platoon with him.

Bader had a .956 OPS against LH pitching last season....only .503 against RH

Trade Jake and extend Kim and we're set for some time on the infield.

3B Machado-SS Merrill-2B Kim-1B Bogaerts

OF against RH:

LF-Sanchez-CF-Lee-RF Tatis

Bader in LF against LH....would be a tremendous defensive OF.

 

 

Quote from Jeremy Hill on December 8, 2023, 2:51 pm

The Red Sox are reportedly looking to bring in a right handed bat at 2B. There's also reportedly mutual interest in regards to bringing back Justin Turner. They also have a potentially strong trio of young outfielders in Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, and Ceddanne Rafaela. I wonder if something built around Cronenworth for Yoshida could work. Kind of an indirect way for them to get that bat by swapping Turner for Yoshida in the DH spot.

I could also see AJ making a play for Cease and trying to fold in a Cronenworth for Benintendi swap.

I've brought up Robbie Ray as a potential contract swap candidate before too. I still think that could make sense for both teams. Castellanos could work too, but it's a little harder to see the fit with the Phillies lineup.

If Cronenworth gets traded I expect it'll be a deal that involves another significant contract that fits the roster better.

Quote from Jeremy Hill on December 8, 2023, 2:53 pm

And while I was typing that the Red Sox picked up Tyler O'Neill which would seem to make Yoshida even more expendable.

Quote from fenn68 on December 8, 2023, 3:14 pm

Quote from Jeremy Hill on December 8, 2023, 2:51 pm

The Red Sox are reportedly looking to bring in a right handed bat at 2B. There's also reportedly mutual interest in regards to bringing back Justin Turner. They also have a potentially strong trio of young outfielders in Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, and Ceddanne Rafaela. I wonder if something built around Cronenworth for Yoshida could work. Kind of an indirect way for them to get that bat by swapping Turner for Yoshida in the DH spot.

I could also see AJ making a play for Cease and trying to fold in a Cronenworth for Benintendi swap.

I've brought up Robbie Ray as a potential contract swap candidate before too. I still think that could make sense for both teams. Castellanos could work too, but it's a little harder to see the fit with the Phillies lineup.

If Cronenworth gets traded I expect it'll be a deal that involves another significant contract that fits the roster better.

Think Ray had TJ surgery last May so likely would not be a factor in 2024 … and now 32 so a fair question if he could be back to peak even in 2026. His contract sits at $73MM/3 years … think SEA is stuck with him.

Quote from fenn68 on December 8, 2023, 4:42 pm

Now we know not to take Preller and what he says to the bank … but at least interesting that in interviews I heard yesterday and today … in both he was asked about what he is looking for next and the first thing he said was SP and maybe RP … sort of an afterthought adding a bat. In both cases mentioned the AA bats as possible contributors.

Is that a head fake to the other teams? Or is he still looking for that more impactful SP and maybe a more reliable closer option as the priority? Does that mean he really thinks the Merrill, Marsee, et al will be ready for 2024 or does he have some pieces “in the pocket” that have not been disclosed?

No way to tell with Preller … just interesting he focuses on pitching when he has only 2 OF and that did not seem to bother him.

Quote from lafnboy13 on December 8, 2023, 5:19 pm

Quote from WindsorUK on December 8, 2023, 9:09 am

Quote from fenn68 on December 8, 2023, 7:09 am

Quote from MrPadre19 on December 8, 2023, 6:42 am

Signing....or not signing Lee and trading.....or not trading Cronenworth,are basically going to determine where we go.

If we sign Lee we know how much we have left to deploy....if he signs elsewhere we also know.....plus, how much of Crones salary gets moved "if" we trade him?

IMO these two moves or non moves will determine what SP or LF or CF we sign.

 

Love the dominoes ... IF the Padres sign one of the Japanese or Korean "closers" at a low price point would that open up a Suarez trade (to offset the signing) BUT given the demand for RP all over MLB Padres may get a useful add a different position (maybe Suarez an a prospect). Note that Kimbel just signed for $13MM and he has be less than consistent in the past few season as he has moved team to team.

As I mentioned before ... other than the narrative that Suarez will be the closer ... his ML work has not justified that belief and at a $9MM AAV for 4 more years would be nice to avoid. Suarez is an expensive risk as "closer" ... not necessarily a better risk than a lower cost Brito, Wilson, Iriate, or a signing of an "import".

Would sleep on a Suarez trade. Or a Cronenworth trade (if they are OK with Merrill) more to clear the $11MM AAV for 6 years than seek a player return ... basically get a prospects in return ... use his $11MM for a more 2024 impact player on a short term deal.

Suarez 100% should be moved. No way he does enough to validate his contract.

Didn't Kirby Yates just sign for $3 or 4 million? Closers don't win you titles either( Texas bullpen blew second most saves this year, and the D-backs weren't much better)

Much rather have a guy that can go multiple innings and actually keep you in the game, to then let your all star hitters( Machado, Tatis, Bogaerts, Cronenworth types) win it for you.

I don't understand why everyone is down on Suarez. He was lights out in the playoffs except for the last game and I'm sure it was due to overuse. Last year he was hurt and possibly never got into his groove. I would not give up on him yet.

Quote from fenn68 on December 8, 2023, 5:44 pm

Quote from lafnboy13 on December 8, 2023, 5:19 pm

Quote from WindsorUK on December 8, 2023, 9:09 am

Quote from fenn68 on December 8, 2023, 7:09 am

Quote from MrPadre19 on December 8, 2023, 6:42 am

Signing....or not signing Lee and trading.....or not trading Cronenworth,are basically going to determine where we go.

If we sign Lee we know how much we have left to deploy....if he signs elsewhere we also know.....plus, how much of Crones salary gets moved "if" we trade him?

IMO these two moves or non moves will determine what SP or LF or CF we sign.

 

Love the dominoes ... IF the Padres sign one of the Japanese or Korean "closers" at a low price point would that open up a Suarez trade (to offset the signing) BUT given the demand for RP all over MLB Padres may get a useful add a different position (maybe Suarez an a prospect). Note that Kimbel just signed for $13MM and he has be less than consistent in the past few season as he has moved team to team.

As I mentioned before ... other than the narrative that Suarez will be the closer ... his ML work has not justified that belief and at a $9MM AAV for 4 more years would be nice to avoid. Suarez is an expensive risk as "closer" ... not necessarily a better risk than a lower cost Brito, Wilson, Iriate, or a signing of an "import".

Would sleep on a Suarez trade. Or a Cronenworth trade (if they are OK with Merrill) more to clear the $11MM AAV for 6 years than seek a player return ... basically get a prospects in return ... use his $11MM for a more 2024 impact player on a short term deal.

Suarez 100% should be moved. No way he does enough to validate his contract.

Didn't Kirby Yates just sign for $3 or 4 million? Closers don't win you titles either( Texas bullpen blew second most saves this year, and the D-backs weren't much better)

Much rather have a guy that can go multiple innings and actually keep you in the game, to then let your all star hitters( Machado, Tatis, Bogaerts, Cronenworth types) win it for you.

I don't understand why everyone is down on Suarez. He was lights out in the playoffs except for the last game and I'm sure it was due to overuse. Last year he was hurt and possibly never got into his groove. I would not give up on him yet.

It is not being down on Suarez … it is him not being worth a $9MM AAV for the next 4 years when they are in a budget squeeze. A 30 something pitcher who has “potential” but has yet to show he can close … not so sure that is a good $9MM gamble.

Quote from Jeremy Hill on December 8, 2023, 9:20 pm

This whole Ohtani saga is really highlighting what's wrong with sports reporting in the modern world. Way too many people that are more concerned with being first than being right. There also seem to be a number of reporters that are legitimately mad at the guy for wanting a little bit of privacy as he goes through the process.