Quote from MrPadre19 on August 16, 2019, 1:37 pm

I like the idea....and I could be wrong, but I just don't see Hos sitting more than once or twice in the last 40 games or so.

 

Quote from fenn68 on August 16, 2019, 2:32 pm

Look at this a bit differently. In 2020 expect a Hosmer, Urias, Tatis, Machado INF playing virtually every day. So, France’s future with the Padres is in his ability to play some 2B along with 1B/3B. He has only played there for 15 games in AAA ... Padres need to know before getting to the winter. The rest of the way out is setting up 2020 ... maybe even if it is not with the best defensive alignment. IF he fails at 2B ... he may be more likely to be traded and if Kinsler does not return the Padres may be actually looking for a back-up INF.

Have no problem with Urias working at SS ... he has been splitting SS/2B in the minors for some time. This year he started 72 games in EP at SS (109 at 2B). In the same way as France, the Padres getting comfortable with Urias as the back-up SS for 2020 will eliminate the potential need to add a back-up SS this winter. Think I would prefer to keep Machado at 3B.

In the same vein ... got to get a lot of ABs for Naylor to assess his 2020 future before the winter. I would take AB from Renfroe more than Myers who is at least hot since his return to starting while Renfroe is fading.

 

Quote from fenn68 on August 16, 2019, 2:54 pm

The revelation of Tatis out for the season and maybe a coin flip on Kinsler ... Padres are in an interesting INF quandary.

On one hand they could use the 60 day IL for Tatis / Kinsler to add someone to get through the rest of the year (pray they don’t move Myers back to the INF). Need some depth to cover injuries even if double switches are eliminated.

Don’t think they have any non-roster INF that would have been considered to be added for Rule 5 protection but could just add a “useful” body only to DFA at the end of the season. Maybe they claim a body off waivers or sign a body that has cleared waivers.

One option is adding Castillo switch hitting middle INF who has been testing the Texas League batting leadership for the season. Maybe worth a look ... think he is a minor league FA if not added to the 40 man. Padres need a body ... room on the 40 man (and after Sept 1 expanded roster). Maybe see if he is worth controlling on the 40 man over the winter. IF he is serviceable as a SS/2B could do a lot to stabilize the 2020 INF by not moving players around due to injury;

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

Green reports that also Kinsler is “likely” out for the season.

Quote from MrPadre19 on August 16, 2019, 4:38 pm

Looking at the numbers I guess I don’t understand why everyone is down on Hosmer?

He is pretty much right at his career numbers for BA,OBP and OPS.

Were we all expecting him to be Freddie Freeman because he signed that deal?

 

Quote from BoosterSD on August 16, 2019, 4:39 pm

Quote from fenn68 on August 16, 2019, 2:32 pm

In the same vein ... got to get a lot of ABs for Naylor to assess his 2020 future before the winter. I would take AB from Renfroe more than Myers who is at least hot since his return to starting while Renfroe is fading.

 

I agree, we know what we have in Renfroe. A streaky, above average, RH power hitting OF. As I mentioned earlier, give Myers the rest of the season batting 2nd, in LF and let him see what he can do. Can slide Myers and the CFer towards RF to protect the lacking defense of Naylor.

Quote from Brian Connelly on August 17, 2019, 2:16 pm

Quote from fenn68 on August 16, 2019, 2:54 pm

The revelation of Tatis out for the season and maybe a coin flip on Kinsler ... Padres are in an interesting INF quandary.

On one hand they could use the 60 day IL for Tatis / Kinsler to add someone to get through the rest of the year (pray they don’t move Myers back to the INF). Need some depth to cover injuries even if double switches are eliminated.

Don’t think they have any non-roster INF that would have been considered to be added for Rule 5 protection but could just add a “useful” body only to DFA at the end of the season. Maybe they claim a body off waivers or sign a body that has cleared waivers.

One option is adding Castillo switch hitting middle INF who has been testing the Texas League batting leadership for the season. Maybe worth a look ... think he is a minor league FA if not added to the 40 man. Padres need a body ... room on the 40 man (and after Sept 1 expanded roster). Maybe see if he is worth controlling on the 40 man over the winter. IF he is serviceable as a SS/2B could do a lot to stabilize the 2020 INF by not moving players around due to injury;

On Aug 1st after the deadline, I had Ivan Castillo as my very surprising #1 guy Pads "should" protect from Rule 5, or in his case Free agency, in their entire system (guys who will be R5 eligible or FA).   He has picked horrible timing to slow down a little in August, but at that point he was a mile ahead of the competition in batting average in entire Texas League.

Don't know how he grades out defensively, but a switch-hitting 24 year old Middle INF maybe late blooming as a young Intl signee seems too good to let just walk away, as competition for France / 40-man roster depth assuming Kinsler does not return.  I don't see how a "going for it" Pads in 2020 protects say Esteury Ruiz (too far away) or Buddy Reed (potential over performance) over a guy who could really help now in MLB like I. Castillo

Easy to add to 40-man now, though tighter call in offseason.  But other issue is finding him any playing time if you're going to test France at 2B.  Still probably at least deserves the performance based callup after Minors season ends in Sept if nothing else.

Quote from fenn68 on August 17, 2019, 3:26 pm

Castillo is going to be an interesting decision ...

the plus is he is a switching hitting SS/2B (mainly SS in his career) who at 24 is hitting in AA ... late bloomer?

on the other side, he was left exposed in the minor league phase for Rule 5 by Cleveland ... taken by Toronto ... released by Toronto after last season. Not the profile of a player with ML potential.

Padres do need some insurance for the middle INF back-up in 2020 if their are injuries ... not anything in AAA. So who maybe be the other options to tuck in AAA “in case”? Maybe if they like Miller they just gamble with him as the AAA call-up (does not need to be on the 40 man until a call-up). Maybe the re-sign Castillo to another minor league deal after the season and skirt the 40 man until needed?

That assumes that we are talking about insurance in AAA for a call-up. That would suggest two of France, Kinsler, and Garcia are on the 25 man to start the season. As a LHH PH Garcia survives but not unreasonable to think Kinsler (performance / neck) and France (poor showing at 2B / hitting in audition) might not be ... or not be for long.

Could see them easily not protect Reed or Ruiz ... remember a team would have to select them AND keep them on the 26 man (which does make it easier) ... usually along shot with hitters. Given the world of pitching ... may lean towards protecting extra arms over those two (if there are arms worth protecting as the 39th, 40th roster spot)

Thinking about it ... Miller may be the key factor in the decision.

Quote from fenn68 on August 18, 2019, 7:17 am

For the past few years the Padres have been among the worst in baseball for OBP. The past 30 days have given us some signs of optimism especially for those of us who like “long line-ups” that contribute offensively (which I think make everyone in the line-up better). Considering .325 is about “average” in MLB for OBP in the past 30:

Mejia (425), Garcia (421), Naylor (404), Urias (368), Hosmer (355), Tatis (349), Myers (329), and Margot (326). They will not all stay that high for a full season but a great sign they can elevate themselves into the upper half of ML. For me, having players on base and running around is entertaining.

I expect Naylor to become a flashpoint with the fans ... clearly not a good defender in the OF (and not a pretty swing or a great looking body type) but a player the Padres have always liked for his hitting potential ... he just turned 22 ... hitting 317/404/707 in the past 30 (41 AB) with 4 HR and only 6 Ks. LHH who makes contact and gets on base. He will get more playing time ... but could he get a regular spot? Relegate Myers to the 4th OF/backup 1B role? Or, dare I say, send Renfroe to the trade block? Renfroe will be 28 next season and with a career sub-.300 OBP / high K% and extremely streaky might not fit the model for the Padres going forward.