Quote from JasonE135 on September 20, 2019, 1:29 pm

I would love to see Cole in a Padres uniform! That could make us instant contenders. I don't see it happening but I would love it. I think it would take about $252million for 7 years. It COULD hurt us in resigning Tatis and Paddack, but I actually expect Machado to opt out after 5 years so maybe not. Cole/Richards/Paddack would be one of the best top 3s in baseball. With Lamet, Quantrill, Lauer and Lucchesie fighting it out for the last 2 spot our rotation could conceivably be the be the best 1-5 in mlb. Plus it would allow us to trade from the surplus. It could even allow us to trade Patino for a real big bat. It would be perfect! I just don't see the team doing it. I think Machado will be the last big signing that we will see for a while. I wouldn't touch Strasburg unless he gives us a major hometown discount. Like less than the $25mil a year he is already owed. So that isn't happening.

Quote from 3fingersplit on September 20, 2019, 2:00 pm

Quote from JasonE135 on September 20, 2019, 10:32 am

I think 3finger was just commenting on how Cole just passed 300 strikeouts.

Yes I was....All you guys want a TOR pitcher well there he is

The window is X.....the TOR is Y......Division / World Series is Z

Will Cole make the difference with the roster or lineup we have now?

Quote from JasonE135 on September 20, 2019, 2:56 pm

With Cole signed it could free us up to trade a top prospect or two to fill our other needs. Someone like Ketel Matte. I know he is not on the market and he just had a career year, but a package centered around Gore with a few others thrown in just might do it. That would solve almost all of our outfield problems. Great defense, great bat, murders right handers. We could put tramadol into the deal. Won't happen, but it is fun to think about.

Quote from JasonE135 on September 20, 2019, 2:58 pm

That was Ketel Marte and Trammell. I hate autocorrect.

Quote from fenn68 on September 20, 2019, 3:09 pm

I would guess the Padres do make a serious run at Cole ... not sure how they will finesse the money but Boras can be creative to get his man the top deal.

Padres want to add elite talent ... that is Cole ... and frankly for their offensive needs no one is out there on the market that will have a longer shelf life except Rendon (and he is a 3B and not needed). So, signing Cole meets the elite player status .... I do buy into adding Cole bumping Paddock, et al down a notch and making #1-5 better which should result in more wins over a 162 games schedule ... then with pitchers being an ongoing MLB need, the “excess” arms become important trade chip to get those incremental offensive upgrades. As they morph into Cole, Paddack, Lamet, Gore, Patino ... the Lucchesi, Lauer, Quantrill types become trade assets. A cross between dominos and chess.

Money-wise only 3 more years of Myers (at $20MM) then there is a good chance that Hosmer opts out at the same time (it is at the point were his $20+MM annual drops to $13MM as I recall). So possible in 2023 the payroll drops from those two by $40MM but even if Hosmer does not opt out the drop is near $30MM. Outside chance Machado opts out the next year but hard to guess his future performance and the landscape of FA under the next CBA. Padres may be able to just suck it up for the next 3 years for Cole or work out a back loaded deal. Only real concern is having the money to pay Paddack, Tatis some large arbitration dollars starting in 2022-24 then trying to extend them because they have really developed into stars.

Have to worry about the present success potential and the future sustainability at the same time ... a lot of if / then scenarios.

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Strasburg is the fall back if he opts out ... should come at a much lower price point with his injury history. He has a 4 year / $100MM to opt out from ... risky on his part. Still see the end being him getting some years added by WASH to give up the opt out options.

 

Quote from MrPadre19 on September 20, 2019, 6:32 pm

Everyone will be after Cole.

I don’t like our chances.

It’s not like pursuing Machado.....only so many teams needed a 3B/SS.

Literally every team needs Cole.

 

Quote from Henry Silvestre on September 20, 2019, 7:24 pm

Dont sleep on guys like Hamels or Keuchel both lefties as fallback options in FA as well I mean both of those guys likely a lot cheaper ..2 or 2 +1 type deals and can probably afford Both vs 1 Cole...  If we dont end up with Cole... I mean a 1-5 of Keuchel/Paddack/Hamels/Richards/Lamet with Joey/Gore/Patino getting 30-40 starts between them and spelling Richards a bit early on May not be a bad NOW and down the road strategy without committing $250 mil. But rather $80-$120 or so mil over the next 2-3 yrs.. We arent mortgaging the future ..rather complimenting it for 2020-21 and or 22..

Quote from JasonE135 on September 20, 2019, 8:19 pm

We have plenty of quantity, all we need is quality. Both of those guys are overpriced. They will both be expecting over $20 million per year and are both likely to put up an ERA around 4.00. Keuchel will be looking for several years(like 5 or 6) and Hamels will want 3 at least. They will likely both get what they want from some desperate team hoping for a miracle.  We don't need a pitcher underperforming at high cost for several years and taking a rotation spot away from a good young pitcher who can be better. If we are going to get a pitcher we need to get a good one who will be worth it.

Quote from Brian Connelly on September 20, 2019, 10:56 pm

Quote from JasonE135 on September 20, 2019, 8:19 pm

We have plenty of quantity, all we need is quality. Both of those guys are overpriced. They will both be expecting over $20 million per year and are both likely to put up an ERA around 4.00. Keuchel will be looking for several years(like 5 or 6) and Hamels will want 3 at least. They will likely both get what they want from some desperate team hoping for a miracle.  We don't need a pitcher underperforming at high cost for several years and taking a rotation spot away from a good young pitcher who can be better. If we are going to get a pitcher we need to get a good one who will be worth it.

100% agree Jason.  Cole Hamels & his SD roots is old, cheap prior Pads ownership/mgmt trying to create the illusion they're serious....  And I am NOT high on Keuchel... he feels way too much like Ian Kennedy to me; 1 phenomenal year giving him a reputation that he's far better than he really is.  I agree that these moves are actually riskier than paying (much) more for a guy like Cole.   I realize there's only 1 Cole, but Strasburg does appeal & might actually give the SD discount?  Still has to be > 4/100 for him to opt out though.  5/125?

Cole, Strasburg, Bumgarner, MAYBE a few others like Hyun-Jin Ryu  would be legit difference makers giving the Pads one of the very best rotations in 2020 & beyond by allowing that important year for Gore (he WILL arrive in 2020, but innings limited) & Patino to arrive.  Imagine not having to look for MLB SP for 4-5 years in a row, but also not having to wait 2-3 years for Gore, Patino, Morejon (?) to hit their full MLB stride to be a contender.  No better way to spend $ than that.  Pads are already committed $ wise with big FA, big $ with the Intl wave of 2016, I don't see them needing to make another big commitment like this until Myers is gone & Hosmer's contract is about to drop or disappear.