Quote from Ben Davey on November 2, 2020, 12:20 am

I think most of us can work out a scenario where Mejia is the primary DH next year given he was a top 50 prospect and was always a ++ hitter.

Given how AWFUL Hosmer has been defensively, I also wouldnt be opposed to signing a 1B (preferably RHH).  What about signing Howie Kendrick instead?

Quote from Randy Manese on November 2, 2020, 1:12 am

The composition of our reserve position players will largely be dictated by what happens with our pitching staff, both starters and relief pitching.  If Paddack returns to his 2019 form (acknowledging that he did have a few rough spots in 2019), he could be a solid #3 starter.  Davies would be the #4 and we have a lot of candidates and depth for the #5 starter as well as several developing options in the minor leagues - probably as good a rotation with depth as we've ever had.  Even without Rosenthal, if Castillo and Espinoza are as good as some think they can be, we have a plethora of RP's to fill the 7 or 8 slots on the major league roster, again with some significant depth if we make some trades to gain us more RP flexibility on that roster.   This would allow us to go hard after Profar and/or other infielder, OF and catcher depth that otherwise would not open up for the team.

On the other hand, if we must fortify the pitching then I'd be surprised if our bench doesn't look much like it already is with Mejia, Garcia, Mateo, Allen and possibly another low cost C or OF that could give our iron-man 8 some time off.  Might even see Castro or Moreland back at a much reduced salary for one year, although I think we will be hard-pressed to sign the latter.  Even with only a 60 game schedule, you saw some players wear down and that was without much travel.

It should be interesting to see what Preller will do given all the uncertainties and variables the 2020 season has caused and by the start of spring training we should have a better idea of what this team is going to look like both in 2021 and in the future.

 

 

Quote from fenn68 on November 2, 2020, 7:15 am

Given the roster and the DH question ... Mejia becomes a key piece in the puzzle. Only 25, switch-hitter, and a good 2019 offensively (limited time), and was an elite prospect only a couple of years ago.

As the #2 catcher (until Campusano arrives) ... he is fine especially if we realistically look at the #2 catchers in MLB (they are really lacking any talent). I know we like to bash his defense ... and not that good ... but not that bad since he hits.

Where he really adds is that he could be that DH (if needed) or play 1B (if needed) or LF (if needed) ... he is athletic enough.

=====

I can’t see paying for any FA #2 catcher ... given the supply / demand they will be over priced for no quality. Spend elsewhere. (Castro did not show he had much left offensively or defensively in his SD stint and at this age ... not getting better).

If they re-sign Rivas for AAA they have “a body” if they need to bridge to Campusano ... Rivas has been in the organization for a long time and knows the pitchers ... if he hits .180 he would be on a par with most of the #2 catchers out there but at league minimum.

Quote from fenn68 on November 2, 2020, 7:23 am

Quote from Ben Davey on November 2, 2020, 12:20 am

I think most of us can work out a scenario where Mejia is the primary DH next year given he was a top 50 prospect and was always a ++ hitter.

Given how AWFUL Hosmer has been defensively, I also wouldnt be opposed to signing a 1B (preferably RHH).  What about signing Howie Kendrick instead?

Nola, Mejia, and Myers all could fill in as the RHH hitting 1B while providing value at other positions.

Quote from fenn68 on November 2, 2020, 8:59 am

I know it is a guessing game with a ton of variables but MLBTradeRumors just came out with its top 50 FA with projected contracts. (note think they are "high" across the board ... especially in the lower ranks).

Of note:

They have the Padres signing Yates (#42 at $5MM/1 year) and Hamels (#47 at $4MM/1 year) ... if you buy into the $10MM for the Padres to spend ... that about does it and leaves little for the bench upgrades.

Interestingly they bundled the RP Hand, Rosenthal, May, and Treiden as #26 thru #29 all at $14MM/2 years ($7MM AAV).

Profar was ranked #34 at $7MM/1 year. That should put Profar out of the picture for the Padres if RP is their #1 priority.

========

Would be a bit concerned that both Yates and Hamels are coming off injury ... Hamels a long string of injuries ... and both are getting up in age which may just make season long health a concern.

Quote from Brian Connelly on November 2, 2020, 9:02 am

Do the Padres really think that Moreland would sign for less than 2.5 mil? Is that really where the market is at?

I don't get this logic.  If we (Pads) thought he would sign > his existing salary, then he would be a bargain AT that salary, and you don't Non-Tender him (to Padres his "salary" is 2.5 MM, since the 500K buyout is a "sunk cost"; not true for all the other teams).  Obviously Pads threw "trade him" ideas out there @ 3 MM and no one bit at all.  Injuries, whatever, could change that, but....

...I think it IS where the market is at if there is no DH in NL.  Moreland signed for 3 MM/3MM over a year ago PRE-COVID.  Hot start / cold finish in year 1 of deal-- in a Covid impacted market-- why is unreasonable to think he would sign for "only"< 2.5 MM now?

I was wrong on this; thought MM would clearly be worth 3 MM for 1 year & at worst was "re-tradeable" for less than what we gave up to get him.  But think it's  "only" due to DH unknown situation.  Preller must have known before the trade that he might not get the DH in NL answer before the non-tender deadline (i.e. that this was a possible outcome), but still pulled the trigger.  Looks like a bad trade right now, but if he re-ups for a year for a little less $, then it's OK.

Quote from fenn68 on November 2, 2020, 9:30 am

Good trade (at the time) ... bad outcome on Moreland.

The trade value was getting a hot hitting veteran DH to support a playoff run. At 35, any future value would have been a bonus. This is what often happens when you go "all in" for a playoff run.

With no DH for the Padres, Moreland has near zero value even if he still can hit some. Got the impression that Preller waited to the end to decline the option because he was trying to find a trade partner ... and could not.

Would not be surprised the best Moreland can do is a minor league deal with an invite to ST and a ML contract if he makes the roster laden with incentives.

Quote from Randy Manese on November 2, 2020, 9:45 am

I'm going to have to agree with Fenn on Moreland.  He hit .280 down the stretch (last 7 games) and .500 in the Wild Card series.  I'm not sure we could have gotten more critical production from him for the part of his pro-rated 2.5 M the Padres paid.  The prospects given up were thought of highly several years ago but both raised huge question marks in the past couple of years because of lack of progress and development even after repeating a league assignment or being scheduled to repeat a league assignment in 2020.  It will only be a bad trade if either turn out to be a solid everyday player, which hardly anyone projects either to be any longer.  If no NL DH, then Moreland is redundant with Hosmer so his worth probably is only as a PH - not a compelling reason to sign him at or near his last past salary.  Padres would be better served to put that money elsewhere to gain more flexibility in a relatively short bench.

Quote from fenn68 on November 2, 2020, 9:47 am

November 20 is the date to set the Rule 5 roster ... as of now two open slots. Will the Padres protect more than two? If yes, early DFA of Perdomo, Guerra, or Wingenter are candidates.

December 2 is the tender date. That should not have much drama.