Quote from MrPadre19 on December 30, 2018, 2:05 pm

Quote from Brian Connelly on December 30, 2018, 10:57 am

Quote from fenn68 on December 30, 2018, 6:58 am

Quote from WindsorUK on December 30, 2018, 3:33 am

What is Solarte's situation? Is he still under contract in Toronto? If so, what would it take to bring him back? He'd be a nice fit at 3rd and he's a fan favourite.

We could do worse.

A FA since he was non-tendered by Toronto. With the lack of demand for 3B and his diminishing offensive skills (his stats have gone down in each of the past two years) he looks to be a guy that hangs around as a FA and signs late on a one year deal ... maybe $2MM.

Don't think Preller is in a hurry to find a 3B ... with this market probably feels he can sign a "filler" if necessary at the last minute but they may not be better than a combo of Garcia / Kinsler / France (with Urias at 2B). Good chance he is waiting out trade options ... he was reportedly interested in many (guessing the trade prices were too high) but time (and the signing of Machado) might change the demand making the cost of adding Franco or Andujar more acceptable ... and longer term / lower salary.

Four weeks from now we may still see Moustakas, Solarte, Forsythe, Cabrerra ... others still unsigned and for the 2019 Padres probably not all that critical which they sign.

This is why I don't understand the focus on 3B; why trade assets away to fill a hole on a non-contending team?

Last year, we had to get a SS and there were simply none "acceptable" on the FA market which forced IMO the trade to get Galvis.  THIS year we need to get EITHER a 3B OR a SS, and there are multiple options at each position available as FA.

I lean heavily towards a re-sign of Galvis (on the condition that he knows his ironman streak IS going to end);  isn't his lack of offense more than offset by the defensive combo of  Urias/Galvis/Tatis-3B than Urias/Tatis-SS/?? -3B?   Feel like Tatis (& Urias) might ultimately be better defensive SS from getting to see Galvis handle the position defensively for a year or 2.

Unless he has no other options (doubtful),why would Galvis want to come back to S.D. To be a backup to a rookie in a few months.

I would love to know the Padres plans for Kinsler.

Do they expect him to play some 3B?

Is he strictly 2b insurance for Urias/utility IF?

My preference would be for us to sign Moustakas to a 2 year deal and Keuchel to a 4 year deal and call it an off season.

But a Renfroe for Duffy(or similar) deal would be OK also.

If at all possible it would be great to hold onto Stammen and Yates until the deadline.

No telling what we may need or what their value would be at that time to a contender.

 

 

Quote from Brian Connelly on December 31, 2018, 12:00 pm

Unless he has no other options (doubtful),why would Galvis want to come back to S.D. To be a backup to a rookie in a few months.   My idea is Galvis IS the starting SS for 1-2 years; Tatis, Jr is the 3B.

I would love to know the Padres plans for Kinsler. Do they expect him to play some 3B? Is he strictly 2b insurance for Urias/utility IF?   Guessing he opens year starting at 2B till both Urias & Tatis are there, then becomes primarily a PH/double switch late game defensive sub at 3B.

My preference would be for us to sign Moustakas to a 2 year deal and Keuchel to a 4 year deal and call it an off season.  But a Renfroe for Duffy(or similar) deal would be OK also.  Would I be happy if the Pads signed these guys, yes!  Not my money.  But realistically, I think allocating 20 MM/yr from 2019-2022 on Myers, Hosmer (done deals, jury out) AND Keuchel GIVEN WHAT THE PADRES TOP PAYROLL PROBABLY IS is not the best use of $ resources; 50% of payroll @ 120 MM.  Contending Pads team/s may go past that payroll # but how far?  Other big issue is  I'd REALLY prefer a RH starter.  Top 3 to me look like Lucchesi, Lauer, Strahm all LH

If at all possible it would be great to hold onto Stammen and Yates until the deadline.  No telling what we may need or what their value would be at that time to a contender.   I agree completely on this!  Hypocritical, since I've put Yates in every "ace SP" trade scenario out of necessity as a MLB +WAR piece.  Barring that type of trade it is pointless IMO to trade either guy now for "just" prospects.  REALLY need their vet presence leading young bullpen.  I actually think Pads should extend Yates like they did Hand on a similar but lesser deal; maybe 2 yrs + option.  The extra year of control + cost certainty would increase his trade value at deadline, which will happen anyway; RP's ALWAYS in high demand at deadline... 1/2 year to transition/audition young guys and see where they are all at.  Stammen just has way more value on the team than prospect return would get now for him vs at deadline.

Quote from Brian Connelly on December 31, 2018, 12:13 pm

Pads cover half of Clay Richard's 3 MM Base salary.  But (presumably) incentives of up to 1.5 MM now 100% on Toronto?

He also had a 300K trade assignment bonus... Pads?

Minor salary dump more about clearing spot in rotation/pen for younger guys.  Nothing thrilling for either side, but Jays can't go wrong at that price with a guy like Richard, whereas huge vet  leadership vacuum for Pads P's now.  Not sure how much Garret Richards will be in dugout all year?  Hopefully... he is the 3rd highest paid guy this year!

Quote from fenn68 on January 3, 2019, 1:25 pm

As fans we normally are looking for trades for immediate help (upgrade) ... this winter has been the same with all the high end trade targets being speculated. So far not looking as though that has a high chance of happening.

Since 2019 will be a challenge no matter who they add this winter (still need a lot of "kids" to develop in house before the 1 or 2 premium adds can take them to the next level) would it make more sense for Preller to shift to adding high quality prospects (or 4 or more years of control players) that will impact 2020-2022?

Still can use Padre prospects to fill out deals but the key may be sorting out the "excess" OF where there is some trade interest. Keeping Myers, Renfroe, Reyes, Cordero and playing them all part-time (or just benching a couple) seems like a major waste of ML talent. Would have to strongly consider moving Yates (2 years), Stammen (1 year), and Erlin (2 years) ... RP are in demand and all three will be gone after 2020.

So, to a degree, corner OF ... RP ... prospects all have market value this winter and maybe can get some value for 2020-2022+. Not fun in 2019 for the fans but could make the Padres better for the playoff run coming soon.

Quote from David Jay on January 3, 2019, 1:36 pm

Competitive teams have more than three outfielders and more than four infielders capable of being every-day players,and more than five capable big league starters. Having depth isn't a 'major waste of Major League talent,' it's how you overcome injuries, under-performance, or just bad luck.

Quote from Booster SD on January 3, 2019, 1:44 pm

However, high end veteran RP on the 2019 SD team is like putting 20" rims on a Yugo. So does having Stammen and Yates on this team make a huge difference if we can get some help in spots that we need such as a 3B? You are right in the fact that you need a full good roster of 25 guys, but you dont necessarily need 3 of the same player; ie, Reyes, Renfroe, and Myers. All the same guy basically and not enough playing time for all 3, when you also look at Margot, Jank, and Cordero.

Quote from fenn68 on January 3, 2019, 3:10 pm

Quote from David Jay on January 3, 2019, 1:36 pm

Competitive teams have more than three outfielders and more than four infielders capable of being every-day players,and more than five capable big league starters. Having depth isn't a 'major waste of Major League talent,' it's how you overcome injuries, under-performance, or just bad luck.

What about non-competitive teams (see Padres)? No "capable" (proven) big league starters let alone five and clearly not four infielders capable of being every-day players (on a competitive team in 2019).

Maybe they have the prospects arriving over the next two seasons but what have Tatis, Urias, Mejia proven yet ... and still no 3B in that pack. SP a ton of options and zip proven. Go for the depth (hopefully quality) when they actually are competitive ... until the flip the depth (or short term assets) for longer term quality (hopefully).

 

Quote from fenn68 on January 3, 2019, 3:16 pm

Quote from Booster SD on January 3, 2019, 1:44 pm

However, high end veteran RP on the 2019 SD team is like putting 20" rims on a Yugo. So does having Stammen and Yates on this team make a huge difference if we can get some help in spots that we need such as a 3B? You are right in the fact that you need a full good roster of 25 guys, but you dont necessarily need 3 of the same player; ie, Reyes, Renfroe, and Myers. All the same guy basically and not enough playing time for all 3, when you also look at Margot, Jank, and Cordero.

Agree .. would not trade any top tier trade chip for players with 3 or less years of control AT THIS TIME since 2019 is a throwaway. Maybe a top flight 3 year deal going into a year they think they will contend works to take them over the top. Now they would be buying 3 years of the player for 2 years ... doesn't that build in a 50% overpay for his 2 supporting a contender ... maybe.

Quote from fenn68 on January 3, 2019, 3:25 pm

In the new flights of fantasy .... some suggesting that the Padres don't spend any big money (or add a big contract) this winter and then go "all in" next winter on either Rendon or Arenado to solve their long term 3B hole both offensively / defensively. Does make some sense if they construct an INF of Hosmer - Urias - Tatis - Rendon for 2020-2022 (Tatis - Urias having been tested in the ML by then) and coupled with what looks like strong catching options and OF options. SP will have had the chance to see the arrivals of Allen, Paddack, and others to like with the current mix allowing the Padres focus on adding the right SP and voila!

Fault in the logic is the ability to get Rendon or Arenado to actually sign.