Quote from Booster SD on November 14, 2018, 2:52 pm

So CLE just made a trade with PIT, for an OF named Luplow. Does he replace a need for a Renfroe type OF in CLE? Or is Luplow more of an OBP/CF defense type of  guy and CLE may still want/need a corner OF with power/RBI potential?

Quote from fenn68 on November 14, 2018, 5:22 pm

Quote from Booster SD on November 14, 2018, 2:52 pm

So CLE just made a trade with PIT, for an OF named Luplow. Does he replace a need for a Renfroe type OF in CLE? Or is Luplow more of an OBP/CF defense type of  guy and CLE may still want/need a corner OF with power/RBI potential?

Not at all ... actually Cleveland still needs more OF. Luplow maybe a nice 4th OF (but not a CF type) ... not very athletic, not much of a throwing arm, not much power, not much speed, and an injury history ... but he does have some hitting skills. Fits a need I guess but not someone to put out there if Cleveland wants to contend.

Actually, sorry Erik Gonzalez went to Pitt since has been I player I have thought for years would be a good INF add for the Padres. Good defender who can play SS and at times has a good bat. He is out of options and Cleveland has some INF support coming up ... so dealing him for Luplow basically gives them some flexibility since I believe Luplow has options. Not really a game changer for Cleveland but Pitt might make out well if they don't resign Mercer.

Quote from Commie on November 14, 2018, 5:26 pm

Luplow has potential but they aren't handing him the keys. They plan to contend. They still need two starters. I am actually beginning to think Margot may be one of them and Adam Jones the other.

 

 

 

Quote from fenn68 on November 14, 2018, 5:42 pm

I may be about the best return (as opposed to who the Padres want to keep) but should be an interesting debate as they trade one (or two) corner OF: Myers; Renfroe; Reyes; Cordero.

I can think of reasons to deal any of them and reasons they wouldn't (or can't) .... but keeping all 4 is not worth it. Getting all four enough playing time is just not going to happen and someone's value will just wither on the vine. I will be interesting to see what the demand is and for which ones.

Personally hope the hang on to Cordero (even though still the highest risk of total washout) since he is still young and has the highest ceiling along with being a LHH and capable of playing all 3 OF slots.

If you like corner OF defense: Myers; Renfroe; then Reyes ... none are good

If you like SLG: Renfroe; Reyes; Myers

If you like OBP: Reyes; Myers; Renfroe

If you like "certainty": Myers (longer track record); Renfroe; then Reyes (real short ML time).

Not clear cut ... key is the buyer's needs / preferences.

Quote from fenn68 on November 14, 2018, 5:56 pm

Quote from Commie on November 14, 2018, 5:26 pm

Luplow has potential but they aren't handing him the keys. They plan to contend. They still need two starters. I am actually beginning to think Margot may be one of them and Adam Jones the other.

 

 

 

I could see Margot only in a Kluber deal ... Indians really don't have much else that is interesting for the Padres (and available). Padres would have to think Jankowski / Cordero can handle CF and consider both have really struggled against LHP ... high risk with no alternatives for CF for 2019 or likely 2020. Since I am not buying Cleveland moving Kluber for anything "reasonable" in the way of a return ... can't see that scenario.

On the other hand, Renfroe is a very good fit since he adds the power they would want in a good hitter's park and can play RF (better than Reyes).

I guess ... with any team .... might see a bundle where the deal is not just to move one corner OF but that player plus either prospects or ML roster types just to get a better piece in return. Unfortunately don't see that fit with Cleveland.

Quote from Booster SD on November 18, 2018, 7:43 pm

OK, let me take a second and be Capt Obvious. There are two things that SD has to do to improve for 2019. Better SP and better OBP. So as I (and MR P.) have mentioned, working out a trade with AZ for both Greinke and Lamb starts my list. Greinke solves my "Ace" need. Lamb, in a platoon with CV solves my hole at 3B. Im ready to conclude that Margot and Jank are both platooners as well. Work a trade for Remfroe(maybe part of the package to AZ)

1. Margot/Jank - CF (Margot - .307 OBP v LHP,/Jank - .340 OBP v RHP)

2. Urias - 2B  (Gotta be better than 2B production last year - .397 MiLB OBP)

3. Hosmer - 1B (Odd number year, bounce back year - expecting about a .370 OBP)

4. Myers - LF (Hope for a healthy year, with an OBP of .330 ± a bump of 30 points.)

5. Lamb/CV - 3B (Lamb - .350 OBP v RHP/CV - .390 LHP)

6. Cordero/Reyes - RF (Cordero - .317 OBP v RHP/Reyes - .419 OBP v LHP) small track record, so?

7. Hedges/Mejia - C

8. Ugggg - SS Galvis aint coming back and I think we will unfortunately have to live with ???

 

2018 - .297 OBP, the worst in MLB. 2019 could potentially be a team OBP of .335 based on rookies and proper platooning of players.

 

ERA, adding Greinke is a big step. A full year of Laur and Luchessi is better than what we started 2018, and then fill out the rotation with Mitchell and Strahm. Im not sold on the kid from Japan; Kikuchi, especiall with the better SP on the way being LH as well.

1. Greinke

2. Luchessi

3. Mitchell

4. Laur

5. Strahm

Quote from fenn68 on November 19, 2018, 10:09 am

A one off thought. Given 3B is an up for grabs slot and much speculation on POTENTIAL trades or FA signings ... a good chance none will come to be for 2019 (and defer the longer term upgrade another year).

With that as a backdrop ... and the assumption than by mid-season Hosmer - Urias - Tatis will control the rest of the INF ... the primary in place option seems to be a platoon of Villanueva and Spangenberg. Not good but serviceable.

Villanueva .... 236/299/450

Spangenberg .... 235/298/362 but the platooned combo would be much better.

But is it worth considering the return of Solarte as a switch hitter? I appears that Toronto is on the verge of releasing Solarte (not going to pay the $5MM arbitration expectation) especially after a poor season (226/277/378) and now 31. However, in his 3+ years with SD (2014-17) he did post a 270/326/424 slash line. If the Padres see 2018 as an aberration and see value in having a switch hitter (rather than a platoon) holding down 3B ... might they try to sign him as a FA (at something significantly less than $5MM)? Padres did like him when he was here but maybe not at the price ... lower price more appeal?

Quote from Booster SD on November 19, 2018, 11:54 am

I briefly had that thought, but thought it might be step back in particular because he was kind of the clubhouse leader if I recall. And I think it could be a little ackward with Hosmer here and Tatis Jr on the way. I think I would rather go with a Spangy/CV combo over Solarte. I you know that I more than most are DONE with Spangy.

Quote from fenn68 on November 19, 2018, 5:04 pm

Might be a hint on the cost of deals for top talent. NYY just dealt for Paxton from Seattle .... very good pitcher with injury history, only 2 years control, but a reasonable arb estimate for this year at $9MM. The had to give up Sheffield a near ML ready pitcher (NYY #1 and MLB #31 / #4 LHP) and two filler types.

Sort of like giving up Paddack (MLB #35) plus two fillers for Paxton ... maybe that makes sense for a contender but not for a pretender over the next two seasons.