Quote from MrPadre19 on August 4, 2025, 9:11 pm

Quote from MrPadre19 on August 4, 2025, 11:32 am

We need the bats to give us a decent lead so we can use Peralta and Matsui for 2-3 innings tonight

If Sears can go 5+....and we have a 3+ run lead would be ideal

 

Well…..I got half my wish

 

Quote from ultratvfan on August 4, 2025, 9:31 pm

Sears did not look good tonight surrending 5 runs on 10 hits. At least the Dodgers lost, too. Padres lost no ground remaining 3 games back.

Darvish on the mound tomorrow.

GO PADRES!

Quote from fenn68 on August 5, 2025, 1:39 am

Quote from brent wolff on August 4, 2025, 8:25 pm

Fermin looks like the real deal, nice stick and threw a seed to second tonight for a caught stealing to get L. Gurriel.  It is going to be nice to have a solid backstop for the first time in a long time.  It was costly to acquire him, giving up both Bergert & Kolek, but think history will show it was a win for the Pads (hopefully).  Sears struggled tonight, at least the first 4 innings.  Nieabla has some work to do with him.  Go Pads!

Agree that Fermin looks like a real upgrade at catcher ... both offensively and defensively ... then considering he is controlled for 4 more years and, for the next couple, cheaply. Really no prospect in the minors that appears to be on track to fill that role (actually need two catchers) in the next few years. Let us not forget that good catchers are few and far between these days ... so his "position value" adds to his overall cost.

Given that "big picture" look ... not sure the Kolek / Bergert is too large a price (probably easier to backfill their roles). Liked the both for their potential ... but good chance the both settle out as mid to bottom of the rotation guys.

Quote from fenn68 on August 5, 2025, 2:04 am

Not an inspiring debut for Sears. His command seemed way off for more of a "control / command" pitcher over "stuff". Did see a comment that the Padres are already altering his pitch mix ratio ... I guess they scouted something that could help him get better than with the A's.

For a pitcher that is supposed to be an extreme fly ball pitcher (and yesterday every pitch seem up in the zone), he had a lot of ground balls roll between the INF and pops that landed short of the OF. Give him credit for gutting it out for 5 innings. So, maybe once settled in ... and pitching at PETCO (plus parks for LAD and SF are more more pitcher friendly) ... we will see better results.

Not expecting Sears to be more than a #4-5 SP at best ... but a guy that will make every start and give some innings. Again long control and with the dealing of Kolek and Bergert plus the pending FA of King, Cease, and Cortes he does serve a need going forward ... hopefully Niebla can get him on track for be an effective #4-5 SP. Does sound as though the "intent" is to keep him in the starting role for now ... even when Cortes is also inserted ... not sure what happens when King is back (and Shildt implied that could be this weekend).

If healthy and back to form ... Cortes is a more effective SP and King is clearly a top of the rotation option ... might see Sears be tested as the missing "long man" used in the 5-6th innings as needed but the inflexibility of the roster might also send him to EP if they don't have a reason to IL Matsui (and given Matsui's recent performance tired arm / sore ? is not out of the question).

Quote from WindsorUK on August 5, 2025, 1:43 pm

Quote from fenn68 on August 5, 2025, 1:39 am

Quote from brent wolff on August 4, 2025, 8:25 pm

Fermin looks like the real deal, nice stick and threw a seed to second tonight for a caught stealing to get L. Gurriel.  It is going to be nice to have a solid backstop for the first time in a long time.  It was costly to acquire him, giving up both Bergert & Kolek, but think history will show it was a win for the Pads (hopefully).  Sears struggled tonight, at least the first 4 innings.  Nieabla has some work to do with him.  Go Pads!

Agree that Fermin looks like a real upgrade at catcher ... both offensively and defensively ... then considering he is controlled for 4 more years and, for the next couple, cheaply. Really no prospect in the minors that appears to be on track to fill that role (actually need two catchers) in the next few years. Let us not forget that good catchers are few and far between these days ... so his "position value" adds to his overall cost.

Given that "big picture" look ... not sure the Kolek / Bergert is too large a price (probably easier to backfill their roles). Liked the both for their potential ... but good chance the both settle out as mid to bottom of the rotation guys.

If Fermin does indeed become a solid C for the next 3 years, then yes, trading for 2 back end of the rotation guys is a solid move.

If JP Sears, however, is that guy from last night the next few years, we'll really be praying that Miller turns into a top of the rotation kind of guy. Trading the number 3 prospect in all of baseball for a closer ain't gonna cut it.

 

Quote from MrPadre19 on August 5, 2025, 1:48 pm

Sears looks like if he can keep his Sweeper at the bottom of the zone and his fastball just above the top....he could be very effective.

He was getting a lot of swing and miss right above the zone on his fastball ala Nick Pivetta.But when you miss on that pitch it better not be low.

Unfortunately when he missed last night he was leaving pitches right in the heart of the zone.

Without overpowering stuff he needs to be almost perfect with his location.....he definitely was not.

 

Quote from fenn68 on August 5, 2025, 3:39 pm

Sears will be an interesting project ... he is 29 and has not been all that successful in the ML. He does need command to survive. However, surprisingly he was a strikeout pitcher in the minors and carried a low WHIP (good ERA) and even is his ML time his WHIP is good for a SP. So even without velocity he apparently can get people out (with a low walk rate).

Did see a report that he has a good spin rate (I guess that covers a bit of the lower velocity making contract more difficult). He clearly stays healthy and makes every start and does historically eat innings.

Sure make the case for a solid #5 SP with a little help for Niebla.

Having said all that ... he will get that opportunity to "develop" in EP since he was just optioned and Reynolds was called up for the pen.

Quote from fenn68 on August 5, 2025, 3:42 pm

Cortes moves to #5 SP with tomorrow's start and King looks to be starting over the weekend vs the Red Sox creating a 6th SP.

At that point another RP likely will be optioned (or IL).

Quote from ultratvfan on August 5, 2025, 4:17 pm

Sears optioned to Triple A El Paso. Reynolds recalled. This sounds like King will return for Sunday's game.

OF Trenton Brooks cleared waivers, assigned outright to Triple-A El Paso