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Padres vs Pirates July 24-26
#31 · July 27, 2023, 7:28 am
Quote from fenn68 on July 26, 2023, 6:09 pmQuote from WindsorUK on July 26, 2023, 5:16 pmQuote from TarheelPadre on July 26, 2023, 4:01 pmWe are at an interesting situation right now. There is no way that Melvin should still be in the dugout. However, Preller won’t fire him cause that would expose how bad of a GM he really is right now. So we are stuck with both.
You have got to trade away Snell, Hader, and anyone else that can bring back good value. Again though, any selling makes Preller look like he didn’t do a good job this off-season, which he did not.
How does a successful business man like Seidler not see what a dumpster fire Preller and Melvin created?
Totally agree that we need to be in sell mode ASAP. This team can't win, wouldn't know how.
I just have a real hard time believing Melvin( 3 time manager of the year!)is making all these bad decisions ( lineups, positions, in game adjustments, etc.) Totally agree Soto was used one AB early( Kohlway does not look a ball player at all. Just doesn't move really well.)
Preller( and his group) is the problem. Seidler must see this, right? If not, don't expect anything better.
If I were Melvin I would quit … he is saddled with a team that has quit (or maybe never really cared) and, very likely a GM who wants to micro manage.
On the Soto thing … it sounds as though they did not want the Sanchez - Bednar match-up (good chance that would result in a K or DP) and if only a K the Pirates would still do the same with Soto and the Padres would still be a run behind but with 2 outs … and Grisham shows up in the same situation. Melvin was saddled with options using Kohlway or Carpenter (who is at this point a total washout).
The real issue is zero offense for 8 innings against inferior pitching (again). So focus on Preller not preparing a quality roster and, for me, most of all a collection of players more on cruise control than fighting to win and clearly don’t mesh as a team.
I had no problem using Soto there...a hit and we could tie the score and if he works a patented walk,which he did,you have to like your odds down by only 1 run and bases loaded and 1 out.Even with Kohlwey coming up....all we needed was the ball put in play.
Or,baseball Gods willing...a wild pitch or a passed ball...flyball....slow grounder....error....but of course we can't move them one base in 2 tries.
Padres 2023 season in a nutshell last night
#32 · July 27, 2023, 7:57 am
I really don’t think that the players have quit though. It seems like that when a team struggles to score, but I don’t believe that our guys don’t care.
Rather, I think that there is a deep-seated problem within the organization. It has been speculated on other forums, by posters whose opinion I respect, that there is a disconnect between the front office/analytics department and the guys on the field.
Our guys not hitting pitchers with very high ERA’s has been a constant problem under current management (and, if my memory serves, has been a problem with the Padres for a very long time - way before AJ came along). My current theory is that our hitters are not properly prepared coming into the game. Perhaps not enough analysis of the opposing pitchers’ pitches. I guess that this theory would fall in line with the idea that there is that disconnect I mentioned above between the FO and the field.
#33 · July 27, 2023, 10:03 am
Quote from Stergios on July 27, 2023, 7:57 amI really don’t think that the players have quit though. It seems like that when a team struggles to score, but I don’t believe that our guys don’t care.
Rather, I think that there is a deep-seated problem within the organization. It has been speculated on other forums, by posters whose opinion I respect, that there is a disconnect between the front office/analytics department and the guys on the field.
Our guys not hitting pitchers with very high ERA’s has been a constant problem under current management (and, if my memory serves, has been a problem with the Padres for a very long time - way before AJ came along). My current theory is that our hitters are not properly prepared coming into the game. Perhaps not enough analysis of the opposing pitchers’ pitches. I guess that this theory would fall in line with the idea that there is that disconnect I mentioned above between the FO and the field.
All of the above … a lot of “rumors” about the influence Preller and the analytics department has on the day to day play on the field and not having a good relationship between them and Melvin.
I actually think the analytics department is pumping out a lot (maybe too much) data … maybe not the right data and maybe in a way the players can’t handle … who knows.
However, I will not let the players off the hook. Likely they want to win, so “care” BUT is that enough to make them go the extra mile to sharpen their game plan and work on their issues … or does this group just rest on their belief of the talent naturally rebounding. Fear that is an issue with some … with the others fear no sense of urgency or coaching can turn lead into gold (bad is sometimes always going to be bad). If we go with trite sayings … can lead a horse to water but can’t make them drink.
Can parse the season issues in a lot of ways … the presumed stars have been hot / cold is sort of a tag team approach and none seem to be able to consistently deliver the clutch hits. Yet, from a pure stats perspective (except for Cronenworth) they have been average to above average. That alone should be delivering more wins (given the pitching staff) but the poorly structured roster with a major fall off of talent is just providing no support and that is the fault of Preller roster construction. Dahl, Engle, Odor, Kohlway, Batten, Rivas, Azocar, Cruz, Carpenter, Sullivan, Nola, Sanchez filling out at different points 1/3 of the batting order and the bench is a set of AAA players trying to play ML ball.
#34 · July 27, 2023, 12:05 pm
Going back to Tatis' quotes and interviews, I hear more than just disappointment in the season's results. He sounds resigned, the way you would after arguing with someone and making zero progress. There is something quite off about this clubhouse, and it feels like it's greater than the sum of their losses.
Preller does not strike me as a guy concerned all that much about chemistry, nor does he seem all that concerned about rostering the best "team." Rather, he seems to thing the best team has the best players, which is not always the case (and obviously not the case here).
Also, on yesterday's latest disappointment... I know batting Sanchez instead of Soto in that bases loaded spot risked a groundout or strike out, but Kohwley offered zero protection for Soto. They absolutely pitched around him, which gave Soto zero chance to actually do something more than walk in a single insufficient run.
#35 · July 27, 2023, 12:15 pm
Quote from sportwarrior on July 27, 2023, 12:05 pmGoing back to Tatis' quotes and interviews, I hear more than just disappointment in the season's results. He sounds resigned, the way you would after arguing with someone and making zero progress. There is something quite off about this clubhouse, and it feels like it's greater than the sum of their losses.
Preller does not strike me as a guy concerned all that much about chemistry, nor does he seem all that concerned about rostering the best "team." Rather, he seems to thing the best team has the best players, which is not always the case (and obviously not the case here).
Also, on yesterday's latest disappointment... I know batting Sanchez instead of Soto in that bases loaded spot risked a groundout or strike out, but Kohwley offered zero protection for Soto. They absolutely pitched around him, which gave Soto zero chance to actually do something more than walk in a single insufficient run.
Pirates would have pitched around Soto in almost all scenarios considering the Padres has zip they were concerned about behind him.
#36 · July 27, 2023, 12:48 pm
And with the bases loaded and only 1 out....there are so many ways to score that you have to like those odds.
I was ecstatic when Soto walked no matter who was up next.
All we needed was the ball put into play from one of the two hitters coming up...they couldn't.
THAT was the issue....not Melvins' decision.
This is a perfect example of Melvin making the "right" move and the players just not getting it done.
#37 · July 27, 2023, 1:37 pm
Quote from MrPadre19 on July 27, 2023, 12:48 pmAnd with the bases loaded and only 1 out....there are so many ways to score that you have to like those odds.
I was ecstatic when Soto walked no matter who was up next.
All we needed was the ball put into play from one of the two hitters coming up...they couldn't.
THAT was the issue....not Melvins' decision.
This is a perfect example of Melvin making the "right" move and the players just not getting it done.
Eh, gonna have to disagree. I stand by what I said, but also feel like you can't leave a 28 year old AAAA player in there after Soto with the game on the line.
#38 · July 27, 2023, 1:44 pm
Quote from sportwarrior on July 27, 2023, 1:37 pmQuote from MrPadre19 on July 27, 2023, 12:48 pmAnd with the bases loaded and only 1 out....there are so many ways to score that you have to like those odds.
I was ecstatic when Soto walked no matter who was up next.
All we needed was the ball put into play from one of the two hitters coming up...they couldn't.
THAT was the issue....not Melvins' decision.
This is a perfect example of Melvin making the "right" move and the players just not getting it done.
Eh, gonna have to disagree. I stand by what I said, but also feel like you can't leave a 28 year old AAAA player in there after Soto with the game on the line.
Then send him back to AAA.
You can't have guys taking up a roster spot that you can't depend on to just make contact.
It's not like we needed a 500 ft homerun or even a hit.
#39 · July 27, 2023, 2:08 pm
Quote from MrPadre19 on July 27, 2023, 1:44 pmQuote from sportwarrior on July 27, 2023, 1:37 pmQuote from MrPadre19 on July 27, 2023, 12:48 pmAnd with the bases loaded and only 1 out....there are so many ways to score that you have to like those odds.
I was ecstatic when Soto walked no matter who was up next.
All we needed was the ball put into play from one of the two hitters coming up...they couldn't.
THAT was the issue....not Melvins' decision.
This is a perfect example of Melvin making the "right" move and the players just not getting it done.
Eh, gonna have to disagree. I stand by what I said, but also feel like you can't leave a 28 year old AAAA player in there after Soto with the game on the line.
Then send him back to AAA.
You can't have guys taking up a roster spot that you can't depend on to just make contact.
It's not like we needed a 500 ft homerun or even a hit.
Probably should and probably move on from Carpenter and probably option Batten ... just nothing better at this point on the roster or in AAA. (again focusing on Preller's roster design).
Game should never have gotten to that point in the last of the 9th ... and that is the fault of the entire offense. However, they were and they had Sanchez coming up against one of the best closer this year ... both RH ...with Sanchez hitting a meager .180 vs RHP for the year and just hitting .192 in July ... a great chance for a K or double play. After Sanchez Kohlway in July 2/12 (.167) then Grisham if they get that far. On the bench Carpenter (L) who is hitting .053 (1/19) in July after coming off terrible June (.167) and May (.129), Batten (R) 3/9 in his return. Then Soto who no matter where he was inserted would be walked. That is an ugly team.
#40 · July 27, 2023, 2:50 pm
Quote from MrPadre19 on July 27, 2023, 1:44 pmQuote from sportwarrior on July 27, 2023, 1:37 pmQuote from MrPadre19 on July 27, 2023, 12:48 pmAnd with the bases loaded and only 1 out....there are so many ways to score that you have to like those odds.
I was ecstatic when Soto walked no matter who was up next.
All we needed was the ball put into play from one of the two hitters coming up...they couldn't.
THAT was the issue....not Melvins' decision.
This is a perfect example of Melvin making the "right" move and the players just not getting it done.
Eh, gonna have to disagree. I stand by what I said, but also feel like you can't leave a 28 year old AAAA player in there after Soto with the game on the line.
Then send him back to AAA.
You can't have guys taking up a roster spot that you can't depend on to just make contact.
It's not like we needed a 500 ft homerun or even a hit.
Totally agree. Yet another indictment on Preller's roster construction.
Tactically, though, you use the pieces you have available. That's the angle I approach it with. Sanchez and Soto are probably your best equipped available hitters to make something happen in those two spots in the lineup. I'd rank Kohlwey dead last, behind Batten or Carp. And yet we removed our 2nd best option in favor of our best option, and then left our worst option in as protection / necessary production.
I get the logic in slotting Soto in where he was, but to me, the delta in offensive potential between Sanchez + Soto and Soto + Kolwhey is huge.