Quote from fenn68 on December 9, 2023, 2:23 am

In one of the interviews with Preller, he was asked about Tatis in winter ball … he is playing SS there.

Preller clearly chose his words carefully … and said he will be in the Dominican in a couple of weeks and discuss with Tatis what they want him to work on over the winter. Did not say anything directly but clearly the tone, pace, and words left little doubt that Preller was not pleased with Tatis’ decision to play SS and, I guess, not focus on working on his OF game.

Not a big thing for the platinum glove winner I guess but I come away a bit disappointed in Tatis not working on improving his potential role for the Padres … more RF or even work in CF … he is not going back to SS.

Quote from fenn68 on December 9, 2023, 2:43 am

Going back to Preller’s comments that see to put both SP and RP high on his priority add list while inexplicable ignore comments on the OF when they only have 2 on the roster in Azocar and Tatis.

With what they have for pitching both on the roster and the coming prospects, not likely he is looking for just more spec bodies. Plus with budget limited, maybe more target another projected #3 type and a closer option. A lot of demand for those types across MLB making their prices somewhat hard to take.

So, what I have not really seen is any kind of coordinated analysis of the pitching (non-Yamamoto) that may be available from Japan or Korea that may fill those roles at a lower price point. Preller is comfortable with Pacific Rim players … so is the a possible route going under reported?

 

Quote from fenn68 on December 9, 2023, 5:31 am

I looked back at the 2023 Padres SP and can see why Preller may be focused on adding pitching and depth.

Padres were #1 in MLB ERA (3.69) well ahead of the 2nd team and well under the league average at 4.45.

Obviously the issue of losing 91 starts at well below league ERA is a focus: Snell (32 starts, 2.25 ERA); Lugo (26 starts, 3.57 ERA), Wacha (24 starts, 3.22 ERA), and Martinez (9 starts, 2.32 ERA).

However, the lack of back-up as injuries hit was the killing factor in not making the playoffs when you consider: Weathers (10 starts, 1-6, 6.54 ERA); Avila (6 starts, 1-2, 4.91 ERA); Waldron (6 starts, 1-3, 4.56 ERA), and of course R.Hill (5 starts, 0-4, 11.34 ERA). That is an ugly 3-15 record in 27 starts … especially when they missed the playoffs by a couple of games.

Maybe that is what pushing Preller to add to pitching so he has some reliable call-ups (replacements) as whomever they set as the initial #1-5 get injured or just struggle given that there are a lot of questions about all the candidates.

He must be thinking the offense with Machado, Tatis, Bogaerts et all as a base only needs some “minor” adds to be good enough to contend but pitching just needs more.

Quote from MrPadre19 on December 9, 2023, 5:53 am

With Thorpe/Lizzaraga/Snelling/Mazur/Iriarte all close…and Lesko behind them maybe AJ signs a solid #2-#3 type SP…or even trades for one knowing he could flip him,or another SP,at the deadline and not miss a beat as these young guys prove ready.

We need a solid #3 or #4 “right now”,but if all perform well we could be flush with them in August and certainly in 2025

 

Quote from fenn68 on December 9, 2023, 6:49 am

Quote from MrPadre19 on December 9, 2023, 5:53 am

With Thorpe/Lizzaraga/Snelling/Mazur/Iriarte all close…and Lesko behind them maybe AJ signs a solid #2-#3 type SP…or even trades for one knowing he could flip him,or another SP,at the deadline and not miss a beat as these young guys prove ready.

We need a solid #3 or #4 “right now”,but if all perform well we could be flush with them in August and certainly in 2025

 

 

Quote from MrPadre19 on December 9, 2023, 5:53 am

With Thorpe/Lizzaraga/Snelling/Mazur/Iriarte all close…and Lesko behind them maybe AJ signs a solid #2-#3 type SP…or even trades for one knowing he could flip him,or another SP,at the deadline and not miss a beat as these young guys prove ready.

We need a solid #3 or #4 “right now”,but if all perform well we could be flush with them in August and certainly in 2025

 

A legit #3 seem the most logical given the budget and pretty flexible on an arm that may have long term value (but low cost now) or short term value (but higher cost) expecting that that player (or one of the other SP candidates) can get move as needed.

Stepping back Musgrove - Darvish - King seem set as SP BUT no a clear call on Brito (who many seem to see a better fit in the pen) and Vasquez. The sea of prospects are all considered at least a half season out but I am fine if they take all 2024 to further develop … so a quality arm that lasts all 2023 may be the target in that #3-4 range.

Considering Brito and Vazquez are both considered (by most) better than much of the Padres RP and they have experience as RP (also have minor league options) adding a SP might improve the pen as one move there. Would either be a pen RH upgrade over Avila,  Waldron, Kolek? Probably yes.

So the need is there … is there a pitcher that Preller likes and can acquire (FA cost, trade capital)? Remember almost all the other teams seem to want the same thing.

Quote from MrPadre19 on December 9, 2023, 12:15 pm

Ohtani to the dodgers……10 years SEVEN HUNDRED MILLION!!

 

lol

 

 

Quote from fenn68 on December 9, 2023, 12:40 pm

Quote from MrPadre19 on December 9, 2023, 12:15 pm

Ohtani to the dodgers……10 years SEVEN HUNDRED MILLION!!

 

lol

 

 

Hard to comment on that level of contract ... never expected a $70MM AAV over 10 years ... they must really expect some great marketing revenue as a partial offset. As a player (maybe the greatest of all time) not sure he is worth basically double the other elite players in MLB.

Boras/Soto are really smiling today ... traded to NYY which should boost his stats and big market hype for when he hits FA next winter. Many thought he was dumb to turn down $440MM from WASH ... well not expect him to clear $500MM going away.

TOR - CUBS - SF have to be frustrated losing out on both Soto and Ohtani ... while Bellinger has to be smiling as the last high profile LHH option of the FA market (oh yea, Boras is his agent).

Impact on the Padres (besides Ohtani on the arch enemy) ... maybe hard to sign Lee if those other three get desperate.

Probably the worst outcome for the Padres on many different levels.

Quote from fenn68 on December 9, 2023, 1:07 pm

Ohtani will defer some of the payments (smart) … if he structures the payout strategically he can get paid $14MM per year for the next 50 Years … until he is 80 and 40 years after he retires!

The new Bobby Bonilla … and then some.

Quote from 3fingersplit on December 9, 2023, 1:39 pm

They will probably sell 100 million in jerseys between now and christmas 🙂