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#481 · December 20, 2018, 5:04 pm
Quote from fenn68 on December 20, 2018, 2:08 pmI am beginning to think Myers at 3B is not all that bad as an option given the alternatives.
Tucked in some of the comments surrounding the final Kinsler signing was the suggestion that the Padres want Urias at 2B and may begin 2019 with him at 2B and Kinsler at 3B .... implying the get a filler SS until Tatis arrives. Sort of what I was suggesting a couple of post back.
If Preller can't move a corner OF (at his price) ... Padres may be better off with Renfroe - Reyes in the corners and Myers at 3B ... at least offensively .... and just wait for a trade deadline opportunity.
I agree. Spangy & Villanueva's extreme struggles with same handed pitching make Myers even with bad defense stand out as by far the best option. FENN, your idea of platooning them wasn't nuts, but the 40-man roster just overflowing tight with young talent added didn't leave room.
All the focus is on opening day, but the bigger picture is rest of the year once both Tatis & Urias** are up:
How about a "typical" lineup of: 2B- Urias, SS- Tatis, 3B- Myers, with Kinsler double switching into late close games as 3B with Myers shifting from 3B to LF? Vast defensive improvement over Myers-3B, Renfroe/Reyes-LF/RF... but gives their big bats for 3-4 PA's each. Maybe 1-2x/week could be 2B-Kinsler, SS-Urias, 3B-Tatis,Jr. LF-Myers. Urias & Tatis are going to play a lot, but probably not headed for 155 starts at their ages.
**I think it's a huge misconception that Preller "doesn't care" about service time accrued. Look at the exact amount of service time Hedges, Jankowski, and Renfroe each have... hmmm. SOME is situational arguably from El Paso AAA long run through playoffs that one year, but Jank's exact amount of time spent in AAA last year... hmmm. If Hedges & Jank had just a little more MLB time, their salaries would be significantly higher this year as "regular" 3-yr arb guys, than "Super 2's" with 4 yrs control. I would argue that on a small-medium payroll MLB team a GM NOT watching service time... FOR KEY GUYS!!! = YOUNGER THAN AVERAGE MLB DEBUT AND ELITE PROSPECT SAY TOP 50 MLB.... is a firing offense; we only have 50%+/- the payroll of the highest payroll teams; you simply have to think further ahead about how & where $$ will be spent.
The issue with gaining a year of control is not really the player/s free agency year; it's when they enter arbitration/big pay raises kick in. Great players aren't going to get to the "walk" year either way. But you gain another year leverage/time in negotiating an extension, etc. WHAT is the point of burning up a year control over 2 guys you hope to be a big part of your perennial contender in the early 2020's, when all you have to do is keep them down for a month or 2 in a no chance season? Tatis & Urias are still going to play 4 months together in 2019 @ MLB... let them build confidence at the plate & get used to each other & work at multiple positions the first 1-2 months in AAA.
#482 · December 20, 2018, 5:09 pm
Quote from fenn68 on December 20, 2018, 2:21 pmQuote from David Nevin on December 20, 2018, 1:43 pmThe Astros just lost one of their relievers for 6-8 months...Joe Smith with an Achilles.
Any interest in trying to trade them one of ours for Aledmys Diaz?
They just acquired him for a Reliever...so apparently that's already his established worth.
Yes .... not expensive(league minimum / 4 years control) but has hitting skills and has played both SS and 3B ... albeit not good defensively. Might be a good filler until Tatis arrives and then settle on the INF bench with Garcia giving them a RHH and a LHH INF reserve each with experience at SS/3B (I am assuming Kinsler assumes the 3B spot).
Not sure the need in Houston for a Diaz (although don't know their back-up SS situation) but a lot of need for RP. Maybe a bigger deal could be in play since Houston is also seeking another bat (with some versatility) to mix with Brantly and White in LF and for 1B/DH. Looks at big time Cruz but might go lower cost and spend on another SP and even more RP.
The Stros have Tony Kemp(who I would love to have) but he is a 2b/of.
Bregman is their back up SS if Diaz is traded with Gurriel taking over 3B.
#483 · December 20, 2018, 5:12 pm
Quote from fenn68 on December 20, 2018, 2:03 pmKinsler is officially on the 40 man today.
DFA'd in a bit of a surprise is Clayton Richard. IF he clears waivers (he will) the Padres will owe him the $3MM for 2019.
I would not be surprised if the re-signed him on a MiL deal with an invite to ST or even bring him back as a minor league coach or a front office guy .. they really do like him.
I was surprised. Idea was broached in offseason they might DFA him due to unlikely claim (like Makita). But different situation. He gets $ regardless & not hoping for a second chance to get established in MLB. Even consumate pro Clay may not have any interest in being a highly paid "player coach" in AAA... Pads just don't want to lose Pirela (or Guerra) until they have a replacement guy in hand...
But I wonder if a team might work out a trade where Pads eat some of the $; would save Pads a little... Richard's attitude/work ethic alone is worth 1 MM in any clubhouse; can fit into any scenario too: vet contending team or rising young team like Pads. Limited ability, but always absolute max effort to reach whatever his ceiling is.
It would be awesome if they could keep him as coach / front office... we'll see.
#484 · December 20, 2018, 5:56 pm
35 .... after surgery on both knees this winter .... and 5.00+ ERA in 2018 doubt any team would claim or trade for Richard. Easier to let him clear waivers and offer him a minimum contract .... not that he would be in that much demand. As I recall he (his wife) really like SD and he is smart enough to know the end is near for his career ... so working with the Padres to a plan for life after playing seems the smart route .... basically follow Finley, Loretta, Hoffman .... do think the Padres would like him to follow that path.
#485 · December 21, 2018, 6:58 am
Heard Rosenthal .... suggested Texas is open to trading Profar and Oakland maybe be the destination for 2B. No idea the asking price. Profar had a good season ... played all over the field ... low cost / 2 years control.
I has been brought up here before as a Padre target .... is Preller still interested? what would he be willing to trade?
If you believe in Urias / Tatis as the future 2b/ss starting later this season ... and now with Kinsler (controlled for 2 years) potentially moving to 3B when Tatis arrives is adding Profar worth what ever has to be given up? He may just be insurance / bench.
#486 · December 21, 2018, 7:16 am
As part of the DFA announcement of Richard, there was some speculation that the Padres wanted to give more innings to their young pitching prospects. That makes a lot of sense given the next three years there will be waves of the Padres better SP prospects arriving. Getting this group ML development time will help weed out the lesser prospects and set-up room for insertion of the next wave in 2020. For 2019 need a lot of innings to sort through Lauer, Lucchesi, Strahm, Mitchell, Nix, Kennedy, Perdomo, Diaz, Paddack, Allen, Quantrill .... might see a lot of shuffle between ML and AAA. In 2020 the next wave needs time ... Morejon, Baez, Avila, Lawson followed Gore, Patino, Espinosa. Some will flameout but there is enough that need to be evaluated on results ... not just projection.
So, maybe the do not (in 2019) add a veteran to eat innings ... stick with Balsley to guide the young prospects and not try to find a veteran (who more likely is concerned about his career) to serve as a mentor.
Second thought, IF they go with young pitchers ... what helps the prospects hold confidence? Could be that defense behind them is critical to get them rewarded for good pitching. To that end, should the Padres "overweight" defense in their position choices. Hedges ha to be the catcher. Hosmer - Urias - Tatis - Kinsler would seem to work. Margot / Jankowski will be fine. Gets to the corner OF debate. Myers maybe the best defensive option ... set him in LF. That leaves Renfroe (better defense but lesser offense) v. Reyes (better offense but bad defense) v. Cordero (????).
Maybe not all that much to happen this winter.
#487 · December 21, 2018, 7:31 am
Releasing Richard "to get more innings for young starters" flies in the face of AJ's actions so far this Winter.
Trying to acquire a Starter obviously means less innings for young starters.
Obviously the difference is the "quality" of the starters innings.
Also,is there any evidence that Kinsler will see even one inning at 3b?
It sure would be nice to know if they indeed expect him to play there.....that would change the rest of the offseason IMO.
#488 · December 21, 2018, 8:30 am
Well we obviously didn’t want Profar as the A’s didn’t give up very much for him.
#489 · December 21, 2018, 9:54 am
Quote from David Nevin on December 21, 2018, 7:31 amReleasing Richard "to get more innings for young starters" flies in the face of AJ's actions so far this Winter.
Trying to acquire a Starter obviously means less innings for young starters.
Obviously the difference is the "quality" of the starters innings.
Also,is there any evidence that Kinsler will see even one inning at 3b?
It sure would be nice to know if they indeed expect him to play there.....that would change the rest of the offseason IMO.
With Preller it is hard to say but my read is that he was "interested" in real top end SP (Syndergaard / Kluber) if the price was right but not so interested in just adding a veteran SP to eat innings. Price was clearly not right ... for any team ... so they stay put and Preller moves to plan B with the prospects.
The quotes from Kinsler suggest he is open to "whatever helps the team" be that 2B / 3B / eventually super utility and Padres seem flexible on his deployment considering the end state for Urias seems to be secure at 2B. That was all probably discussed and understood before they reached the 2 year deal. Does open the options for Preller and the next move and he can go for the best deal / option at either SS or 3B. If we set on Tatis / Urias up the middle by season end ... Kinsler is either 3B or super utility or a trade deadline chip but I do expect the Padres to hold on to him until Tatis / Urias develop a ML track record into 2020.
With little on the market for 3B that would not clog up that spot going forward ... maybe the better option is signing one of the SS options on a one year deal ... easy to clear out in 2020 when Tatis is established. Let Kinsler handle 3B until bumped by France or Potts.
#490 · December 21, 2018, 10:43 am
"interested in real top end SP"
Sure....but we've also been linked to others like Sonny Gray and Mike Leake.
I'm sure Preller is out kicking every tire but Richards wasn't "just" released to give more innings to younger guys.....his 5+
ERA had a little to do with it.