Quote from BoosterSD on December 18, 2023, 7:55 am

With losing out on Lee, and the difficulty in trading Crone, I am again thinking that maybe we see if Kim can be a successful move to CF. I think that we could live with a combo of Rosario/Batten at 3B defensively for 30-45 days for Machado to finish his rehab from surgery.

With Kims speed and baseball aptitude, he should be able to handle the move, has a good arm that will play well in CF. Plus it covers a spot of need without adding any dollars to a limited amount of money.

Start the year with LF - Profar, CF - Kim, RF - Tatis. 3B - Rosario/Batten, SS - Bogaerts, 2B - Crone, 1B - TBD. C - Campusano/Higashioka.

Use the available dollars to sign Pederson for DH, sign Carlos Santana for 1B, switch hitter that is still productive and should fit well into the clubhouse as well.

Should be able to get both Santana and Pederson for around $15M combined, and leaving another $15M for a couple of pitching adds, Burnes is right around $15M, or Cease is under $10M for next season.

Quote from BoosterSD on December 18, 2023, 7:57 am

Another rumor I have seen, is BOS is interested in Kim for 2B. A base trade built around Rafaela and Kim would net SD a true CFer for league minimum, and free up about $7M for additional adds.

Quote from fenn68 on December 18, 2023, 8:07 am

Quote from WindsorUK on December 18, 2023, 7:30 am

Has Cooper signed anywhere? Not a big fan but if it keeps Cronenworth off of 1B( and moves him back to 2B), we could do worse?

Still think Bogaerts needs to move to the right side of the infield, and his bat( hopefully?) plays better at 1B than does Jake's.

And if Jake does get moved, infield would be Machado, Merrill, Kim, Bogaerts?

Cooper not yet signed ... no idea what kind of contract he wants and whoever is interested him ... at least right now. Sort of part of "tier two" FA.

Cooper (or any primary 1B) probably gets addressed after Preller after the OF (and maybe pitching) get addressed. IF Cronenworth or Kim don't get moved ... going to be a tough fit for Cooper.

______________________________

A couple of months ago a report was saying that Bogaerts would "consider" a move to the right side. A lot of other pieces have to sort out ... is Kim traded? Is Merrill ready? Is Cronenworth traded or shifted to 2B? Do they add a "real" 1B? Each decision has a ripple effect and no idea how will this play out.

If I were take my best guess (never really very accurate) ... we "start" 2024 with Bogaerts at SS and Cronenworth at 2B ... Kim at 3B while Machado DH until recovered from injury. A PTNL (maybe Profar) at 1B. However, will Shildt be willing to shift all four INF when Machado returns to the field ... if the best defensive option is Machado - Kim - Cronenworth - Bogaerts? Then factor in how long they think Machado will be kept off the field (guessing not long). If not long ... do they just set SS-2B-1B as they want for the full season and "plug" 3B with Batten? ... less moving parts is usually a good thing. In the long run Merrill is in the picture but possible that to start 2024 as a temp fill (2-4 weeks) they may get similar performance from Batten.

Maybe a grab bag and wait until ST to figure all this out (also keeps trade options open a lot longer).

Quote from fenn68 on December 18, 2023, 8:30 am

Quote from BoosterSD on December 18, 2023, 7:57 am

Another rumor I have seen, is BOS is interested in Kim for 2B. A base trade built around Rafaela and Kim would net SD a true CFer for league minimum, and free up about $7M for additional adds.

Does appear that a lot of teams are "interested" in Kim ... just not sure what they would offer for a relatively low cost SS/2B for only 1 year?

Sort of conflicting trade dynamics:

1. If the Padres wanted a player return of a ML quality player with similar value as Kim ... probably not going to get that from a non-contender who would not want only 1 year of Kim.
2. If the trade partner is a contender ... they want Kim to upgrade their line-up probably not going to want to give up a ML quality player with similar value as Kim ... they will give prospects instead.

So for the Padres, the value of trade Kim is more than likely getting some prospects PLUS freeing up $7MM AAV to augment the available funds to add at other positions.

Boston, Toronto, TB, Miami, SF, maybe others would love to (at the right price) add Kim (either SS or 2B). Nothing as good on the FA market. Except for SF, all are playoff level teams ... so maybe motivated. SF does have a need (and money) to add Kim and extend him ... probably not the same for TB or MIA.

Would watch out for TB ... they did clear some payroll and were very close to BALT in winning the AL EAST. Preller does have a history of dealing with them. With the "issue" with Franco (not likely to be back in 2024 ... maybe ever) they have a major hole at SS and a low cost Kim for 1 year has to be really appealing ... note they have a Top 50 SS in AA (not that dissimilar to Merrill .... so not likely the want him for a 2024 impact).

 

 

Quote from BoosterSD on December 18, 2023, 9:04 am

Quote from fenn68 on December 18, 2023, 8:30 am

Quote from BoosterSD on December 18, 2023, 7:57 am

Another rumor I have seen, is BOS is interested in Kim for 2B. A base trade built around Rafaela and Kim would net SD a true CFer for league minimum, and free up about $7M for additional adds.

Does appear that a lot of teams are "interested" in Kim ... just not sure what they would offer for a relatively low cost SS/2B for only 1 year?

Sort of conflicting trade dynamics:

1. If the Padres wanted a player return of a ML quality player with similar value as Kim ... probably not going to get that from a non-contender who would not want only 1 year of Kim.
2. If the trade partner is a contender ... they want Kim to upgrade their line-up probably not going to want to give up a ML quality player with similar value as Kim ... they will give prospects instead.

Kind of why I thought that Ceddane Rafaela could be a good option, he is listed as #4 CF option for BOS according to MLB.com and is league minimum. Plus from what I have read, is able to field very well, stole bases fairly well in the minors, and had a very good OBP in AAA. And since he has had more time in the MiLs would provide additional time for Marsee and others to develop in the MiLs for 2024.

Quote from fenn68 on December 18, 2023, 9:20 am

Quote from BoosterSD on December 18, 2023, 9:04 am

Quote from fenn68 on December 18, 2023, 8:30 am

Quote from BoosterSD on December 18, 2023, 7:57 am

Another rumor I have seen, is BOS is interested in Kim for 2B. A base trade built around Rafaela and Kim would net SD a true CFer for league minimum, and free up about $7M for additional adds.

Does appear that a lot of teams are "interested" in Kim ... just not sure what they would offer for a relatively low cost SS/2B for only 1 year?

Sort of conflicting trade dynamics:

1. If the Padres wanted a player return of a ML quality player with similar value as Kim ... probably not going to get that from a non-contender who would not want only 1 year of Kim.
2. If the trade partner is a contender ... they want Kim to upgrade their line-up probably not going to want to give up a ML quality player with similar value as Kim ... they will give prospects instead.

Kind of why I thought that Ceddane Rafaela could be a good option, he is listed as #4 CF option for BOS according to MLB.com and is league minimum. Plus from what I have read, is able to field very well, stole bases fairly well in the minors, and had a very good OBP in AAA. And since he has had more time in the MiLs would provide additional time for Marsee and others to develop in the MiLs for 2024.

I thought about him too ... an outstanding fielder and currently listed as #72 on the MLBPipeline Top 100 so not a guy flying under the radar. Still young (23) and the jury is out on his hitting (smallish guy) but probably a good fit for the 2024 Padres. Was a SS at one point ... so a bit of an emergency back-up if needed.

Hard to gauge how Boston views him vs Kim in 2024? Or how Preller views him vs Kim in 2024? However a legit trade discussion point between the two.

 

Quote from JasonE135 on December 18, 2023, 9:54 am

Quote from fenn68 on December 18, 2023, 9:20 am

Quote from BoosterSD on December 18, 2023, 9:04 am

Quote from fenn68 on December 18, 2023, 8:30 am

Quote from BoosterSD on December 18, 2023, 7:57 am

Another rumor I have seen, is BOS is interested in Kim for 2B. A base trade built around Rafaela and Kim would net SD a true CFer for league minimum, and free up about $7M for additional adds.

Does appear that a lot of teams are "interested" in Kim ... just not sure what they would offer for a relatively low cost SS/2B for only 1 year?

Sort of conflicting trade dynamics:

1. If the Padres wanted a player return of a ML quality player with similar value as Kim ... probably not going to get that from a non-contender who would not want only 1 year of Kim.
2. If the trade partner is a contender ... they want Kim to upgrade their line-up probably not going to want to give up a ML quality player with similar value as Kim ... they will give prospects instead.

Kind of why I thought that Ceddane Rafaela could be a good option, he is listed as #4 CF option for BOS according to MLB.com and is league minimum. Plus from what I have read, is able to field very well, stole bases fairly well in the minors, and had a very good OBP in AAA. And since he has had more time in the MiLs would provide additional time for Marsee and others to develop in the MiLs for 2024.

I thought about him too ... an outstanding fielder and currently listed as #72 on the MLBPipeline Top 100 so not a guy flying under the radar. Still young (23) and the jury is out on his hitting (smallish guy) but probably a good fit for the 2024 Padres. Was a SS at one point ... so a bit of an emergency back-up if needed.

Hard to gauge how Boston views him vs Kim in 2024? Or how Preller views him vs Kim in 2024? However a legit trade discussion point between the two.

 

According to BTV, Kim has significantly more value than Rafaela. That being said, true quality centerfielders are incredibly valuable. If the Padres believe that his bat can put up just consistent average offense they should absolutely try to trade for him. The problem is that I don't think that the Sox are going all-in this year. If they believe in his bat, they will want that for 6 years more than they will want Kim for 1, despite how good Kim is.

Quote from fenn68 on December 18, 2023, 10:23 am

Quote from JasonE135 on December 18, 2023, 9:54 am

Quote from fenn68 on December 18, 2023, 9:20 am

Quote from BoosterSD on December 18, 2023, 9:04 am

Quote from fenn68 on December 18, 2023, 8:30 am

Quote from BoosterSD on December 18, 2023, 7:57 am

Another rumor I have seen, is BOS is interested in Kim for 2B. A base trade built around Rafaela and Kim would net SD a true CFer for league minimum, and free up about $7M for additional adds.

Does appear that a lot of teams are "interested" in Kim ... just not sure what they would offer for a relatively low cost SS/2B for only 1 year?

Sort of conflicting trade dynamics:

1. If the Padres wanted a player return of a ML quality player with similar value as Kim ... probably not going to get that from a non-contender who would not want only 1 year of Kim.
2. If the trade partner is a contender ... they want Kim to upgrade their line-up probably not going to want to give up a ML quality player with similar value as Kim ... they will give prospects instead.

Kind of why I thought that Ceddane Rafaela could be a good option, he is listed as #4 CF option for BOS according to MLB.com and is league minimum. Plus from what I have read, is able to field very well, stole bases fairly well in the minors, and had a very good OBP in AAA. And since he has had more time in the MiLs would provide additional time for Marsee and others to develop in the MiLs for 2024.

I thought about him too ... an outstanding fielder and currently listed as #72 on the MLBPipeline Top 100 so not a guy flying under the radar. Still young (23) and the jury is out on his hitting (smallish guy) but probably a good fit for the 2024 Padres. Was a SS at one point ... so a bit of an emergency back-up if needed.

Hard to gauge how Boston views him vs Kim in 2024? Or how Preller views him vs Kim in 2024? However a legit trade discussion point between the two.

 

According to BTV, Kim has significantly more value than Rafaela. That being said, true quality centerfielders are incredibly valuable. If the Padres believe that his bat can put up just consistent average offense they should absolutely try to trade for him. The problem is that I don't think that the Sox are going all-in this year. If they believe in his bat, they will want that for 6 years more than they will want Kim for 1, despite how good Kim is.

That is my view too. They were just too far out last season and have done nothing to make up the gap with BALT, TB, TOR … and probably lost ground to NYY.

Quote from MrPadre19 on December 18, 2023, 10:54 am

My latest thought is Merrill/Iriarte/Mazur  to Mia for Luzardo/Jesus Sanchez.

Sanchez had an .808 OPS against RH pitching last year and could platoon in LF with Azocar and Luzardo is a "solid" #2 SP with 3 years of control.

Adding King and Luzardo solidly bridges the gap to Snelling/Thorpe/Lesko etc and we need a LH hitting OF.

It seems like I'm hot to trade Merrill (I'm not) but I can't help to think his value in a trade for SP or OF far out weighs his value to us moving him to LF or 1B.

Adding these too will cost about $7 mil for '24........ extend Kim and use the remaining to sign Bader or Kiermeier...and Garrett Cooper and let's roll!