Quote from MrPadre19 on August 14, 2019, 7:08 pm

It’s almost like the trade of Reyes messed with his head.

He hasn’t hit much since.

Luckily his defense is still improved as his power was all he had before this season.

 

Quote from fenn68 on August 16, 2019, 8:11 am

In a Acee piece ... the following quote from Hedges:

“There’s no reason (with) the value I bring to the field — even right now, honestly — I shouldn’t be in the lineup.”

Judging that comment can be spun a number or ways ... both good and bad probably driven by one's bias on Hedges.

1. Shows confidence ... not sulking from losing playing time .. wants playing time ...
2. Shows that he may be a bit out of touch with his lack of offensive contribution being a negative ... potentially creates a conflict between him and Mejia by effectively suggesting that Mejia and inferior option. (not sure how well that plays with Green / front office ... at least behind the scenes).

Probably the more PC response of him working hard on this offense to regain playing time and help the team any way he can is better for the team psyche.

My view, Mejia (youth, offense, control, and defense that is stats wise not negative) has knocked Hedges permanently out of the starting role (maybe 1/3 games). IF that does not work for Hedges ... or at least the Padres view of that ... Hedges may be the one on the move this winter. Defense alone can't offset truly bad offense ... a lot of plus defensive catcher who can't hit ... and if they remain in the majors it is almost always as the second catcher and end up bouncing from team to team (Jeff Mathis).

Hedges with over 1000 PA and barely a .200 BA (with low OBP) and a poorer 2019 is not a selling point for a player getting older, more expensive, under shorter control. He may survive on a great offensive unit (NYY, LAD) or on a clear non-contender.

On the other hand ... can he pitch? Hits like a pitcher.

Quote from MrPadre19 on August 16, 2019, 10:22 am

I'm thinking with the 26th roster spot next season we give it to Austin Allen.

This allows us to use Hedges as a defensive replacement and also gives us a LH pinch hitter/emergency Catcher

in Allen.

Also allows us to pinch hit for Hedges on days he starts without the fear of "what happens if Catcher gets hurt".

Unless of course one of the three are traded.

 

 

Quote from fenn68 on August 16, 2019, 10:46 am

Quote from David Nevin on August 16, 2019, 10:22 am

I'm thinking with the 26th roster spot next season we give it to Austin Allen.

This allows us to use Hedges as a defensive replacement and also gives us a LH pinch hitter/emergency Catcher

in Allen.

Also allows us to pinch hit for Hedges on days he starts without the fear of "what happens if Catcher gets hurt".

Unless of course one of the three are traded.

 

 

The 26th man ... based on the current roster ... would seem to be a battle of Allen v Jankowski v. France.

Allen may be the better offensive option as a LHH with power but have to worry a bit of him keeping his swing in tact without playing time if catching really splits between Hedges and Mejia.

Jankowski may be the better option as a LHH with speed that could be used across the OF for defense replacement or on the bases as as a PR. Plus he would be a natural platoon sub for Mejia without degrading defense in CF.

France gives maybe the best bat as a PH but a RHH  in a RHH heavy roster. On the other hand, he can sub at 3B - 2B - 1B (might be more likely if they move on from Kinsler).

All three don't seem to need 2020 in AAA (plus Jankowski is out of options). Would appear a trade is needed to clear space ... actually would like all three on the 26 man ... 26th man, supplant Kinsler, then the last is the challenge.

Doubt any have much trade value (can be traded, yes, but not big return) ... maybe the 2nd or 3rd in a bigger deal. Maybe boil down to Hedges v Allen as the back up catcher with the other moving on. Mejia in the 2nd half of this year sits with the 4th best WAR / 4th best wRC+ among catchers in MLB ... and defense is not among the worst. That should lock him as #1 into 2020.

Quote from fenn68 on August 16, 2019, 10:55 am

As expected Tatis to IL ... France up. Implied Tatis may be out "a couple of weeks" but test are still pending.

Not expected is Kinsler to the IL ... Jankowski up. Apparently Kinsler has a bulging disk in the neck ... no idea how long out.

I would not expect either back until the rosters expand ... and maybe Kinsler is a 60 day IL option and run out the season allowing some others to come off the 60 day. Looks as though Castillo falls in the same category.

Quote from fenn68 on August 16, 2019, 11:03 am

I guess the IL moves will set up a 2B platoon of Garcia (L) / France the rest of the way (or until Tatis returns)... will be good for the Padres to see if France is serviceable at 2B before the winter.

Jankowski back up should cover CF full time (keep Myers out of CF) ... then the Padres just need to manage the corners among Myers - Renfroe - Naylor (L).

Quote from BoosterSD on August 16, 2019, 11:17 am

Quote from fenn68 on August 16, 2019, 11:03 am

I guess the IL moves will set up a 2B platoon of Garcia (L) / France the rest of the way (or until Tatis returns)... will be good for the Padres to see if France is serviceable at 2B before the winter.

Jankowski back up should cover CF full time (keep Myers out of CF) ... then the Padres just need to manage the corners among Myers - Renfroe - Naylor (L).

If the Padres were smart, they would simply leave Myers alone and in LF for the balance of the year hitting in the 2 hole. This the spot where he performs best. Best possible way to build some sort of trade value if at all possible. Then, I would play a straight up platoon with Margot/Jank and Renfroe/Naylor.

I would imagine that Urias will fill in at SS until the return of FTJ. And I would for the balance of the year, play France everyday in a mix of 2B and 1B, letting him spell Hosmer at 1B v LHSP and play 2B other times. Once again letting France be on display for other teams for the balance of the year.

Quote from MrPadre19 on August 16, 2019, 11:57 am

Quote from BoosterSD on August 16, 2019, 11:17 am

Quote from fenn68 on August 16, 2019, 11:03 am

I guess the IL moves will set up a 2B platoon of Garcia (L) / France the rest of the way (or until Tatis returns)... will be good for the Padres to see if France is serviceable at 2B before the winter.

Jankowski back up should cover CF full time (keep Myers out of CF) ... then the Padres just need to manage the corners among Myers - Renfroe - Naylor (L).

If the Padres were smart, they would simply leave Myers alone and in LF for the balance of the year hitting in the 2 hole. This the spot where he performs best. Best possible way to build some sort of trade value if at all possible. Then, I would play a straight up platoon with Margot/Jank and Renfroe/Naylor.

I would imagine that Urias will fill in at SS until the return of FTJ. And I would for the balance of the year, play France everyday in a mix of 2B and 1B, letting him spell Hosmer at 1B v LHSP and play 2B other times. Once again letting France be on display for other teams for the balance of the year.

I'd be good with this....but something tells me Hosmer isn't going to sit very often....if at all.

I think the fans(and the stats) don't like Hosmer more than the Padres do/don't.

I think he plays if he's healthy.

For what they are paying him I doubt they want to start platooning him.

Now maybe next year or going forward when the games are more critical(hopefully)....but I just don't see it in 2019.

 

 

Quote from fenn68 on August 16, 2019, 12:27 pm

Agree they are not going to platoon Hosmer but they may want to back off a bit on his playing every day ... so some “strategic” 1B starts by France against certain LHP might be in the cards. Rest for Hosmer ... keep France’s bat sharper for PH. Maybe at the same time some “strategic” starts at 3B to give Machado some rest from playing every game.

Might help both Machado and Hosmer making it through a full season (not many players these days play near 162) and keeps France sharper, not only for PH but in case Machado goes down with injury (France is the best next up) or Hosmer goes down.

Given Urias and Machado can play SS if Tatis is out ... having France (R) and Garcia (L) as the INF bench options could be very strong offensively along with PH.