Quote from Friartuck on December 14, 2018, 2:01 pm

I saw Kinsler last season with Red Sox. He has totally lost his bat speed. Got beat time and again by good fastballs up. Still good in the field (though he made bonehead play WS). Why not just resign Galvis for that money?

Quote from Booster SD on December 14, 2018, 2:03 pm

Quote from Friartuck on December 14, 2018, 2:01 pm

I saw Kinsler last season with Red Sox. He has totally lost his bat speed. Got beat time and again by good fastballs up. Still good in the field (though he made bonehead play WS). Why not just resign Galvis for that money?

Galvis would be at least twice that money per year and is probably not ready to be a bench player in 4 months into the season. Dont be shocked if Galvis signs with NYY on a one year deal if the NYY lose out on Machado to get them through until Didi returns.

Quote from MrPadre19 on December 14, 2018, 2:09 pm

Don't rule out the fact I think AJ wants Urias to play some SS.

The plan last year was for him to play a little at 2b and then finish the season at SS....then he got hurt.

I think once a big upgrade at SS was ruled out(Segura etc) and Galvis wanted too much,they decided to get Kinsler so Urias could play some SS.

After all....it could still be that Tatis goes to third.

 

Quote from Henry Silvestre on December 14, 2018, 2:33 pm

Remember who/what we had at 2B last yr.... Kinsler was still a 2.4 WAR player there... But obviously (he made $11mil last yr) $4 mil a yr indicates he will be a utility like WS champ, bench guy for the Pads beyond 19... I think AJP will still look for a long term 3B via Trade... a short term 3B via FA (1 or 2 yr think Moose) and start Urias at SS... Would be surprised if we start Urias at SS and Ian at 2B with Tatis Jr coming in 1/2 way thru and playing SS regularly and 3B on occassion... Let me throw out my preferred 3B with Ian now on the team... MARWIN GONZALEZ... lefty bat can play every position except C and CF (except in smaller parks)... and fits like a Glove... Basically once Tatis Jr is up SS and Urias 2B... Kinsler and Marwin can still get valuable PA's as Urias SS/2B... Tatis Jr 3B/SS move around a bit... I like this very much..

Quote from 3fingersplit on December 14, 2018, 4:38 pm

Kinsler is a gold glove infielder that plays second base because he still has good range, soft hands, great footwork and a solid arm which are all of the things we did not have at 3B last year....he reminds me of Mark Loretta in that regard with maybe more pop in his bat

Urias at SS....no problem but if the Pads don't get something over at 3B I could see Kinsler giving it a go at 3B....Gold Glove middle infielders can actually play anywhere in the infield....this is could be a very good signing....compared to the 13 million for Headley ...Kinsler can actually still play and he will be a great mentor for the young guys and I also believe he will complement Hosmer as very solid veterans that will hold people accountable and the best part is it did not cost any players/prospects and the 8M for 2 years is nothing given past expenditures

Tatis will be up this year and he kind of reminds me of another good shortstop that came up at the age of 20 and is from the Caribbean playing for the Astros. If Tatis has half of the impact that that Correa had for Houston....OH Doctor

 

 

Quote from Brian Connelly on December 14, 2018, 11:02 pm

Quote from fenn68 on December 14, 2018, 12:49 pm

the recent tweets seem to suggest it is Urias (SS) and Kinsler (2B) to start the season and when Tatis arrives it is Tatis (SS) and Urias (2B) with, if needed, Kinsler (3B) even though he has about 2 innings there.

No problem as a cheap signing and "insurance" / bridge.

So, more likely Preller will renew his focus on a longer term 3B solution and can keep Kinsler on the bench or flip him.

I like it.  Needed a guy who is mature enough to recognize where he's at in his career, and what his role is going to be on a very young team like this.  Galvis understandably not there yet; seems extremely unlikely to return now.  Little $ committed, so another move could still happen.

I would REALLY be surprised if Urias is our opening day SS.  He is a YOUNG top 50 prospect with a handful of AB in MLB coming off "just" a hamstring strain, but a severe enough one that he hasn't played winter ball.  O.D. starter out of position?  These are the guys a team like the Pads has got to capture max control of.  Why not have him go to AAA to play (for the first time) with Tatis, Jr. and give them both non MLB reps at 2B/SS and SS/3B respectively for a month or 2 to gain + 1 year control of each (MAYBE even avoid Super 2 for Tatis)?

Seems insane/impossible until you realize with no OF trade, we still have 6 MLB "OF"... keep Myers @ 3B to open season & categorically decide if there's a future there or not?   Open with:  2B- Kinsler, SS - Platoon Garcia(L) & Guerra, 3B - Myers?  There would be a bench spot for another INF too if Tatis & Urias in AAA.

Quote from WindsorUK on December 15, 2018, 12:30 am

This really only makes sense if they plan on Urias starting in AAA with Tatis, building some chemistry.

We seem to have a history of pushing players out of position. I realize it's a different management group but man, it would be nice to just keep these kids in positions their familiar with. Playing in the Show has to be nerve wracking enough without having to learn a new position in front of millions of fans.

Now, if they think Kinsler for 3B, then go for it. He'll be a better fielder than Myers or Villanueva and it allows Urias to start in San Diego, if that's what they want to do.

I just don't want to see Urias at SS, Tatis at 3B, to accomodate a 36 year old at 2B. Kind of deviates from the plan.

Quote from fenn68 on December 15, 2018, 6:29 am

I too don't like bouncing players out of position ... especially top prospects who still have much to develop in their primary position.

Having said that .... Urias has played about 100 games at SS in the minors (some last season) so not totally foreign to him. IF his bat is ready, he needs to take the next step in the ML plus in the short run pairing with Kinsler (gold glove 2B) could actually help Urias' defensive skills for when he returns to 2B at the arrival of Tatis.

 

Quote from MrPadre19 on December 15, 2018, 6:42 am

I am basing the “Urias to SS” comment on those from the Padres themselves.

They were going to play him there the last month of last season.....so they don’t seem concerned about a rookie playing “out of position”.

If they intended to do it last year why would they be hesitant to do it this year.