Quote from hoffy51 on February 28, 2021, 6:39 am

Considering Lament's elbow woes with his slider, if, IF, our young guns, Gore, Morejon, Weathers, come around sooner than we expected, wouldn't it be a smart thing to do to have Lament be the closer? Limit his innings and wear-and-tear? Maybe let him start the early part of the season and get past the Dodgers' first couple of series. Just a thought? I just don't know if he is going to make it through a whole season with throwing the slider at the rate he does. Better than another Tommy John surgery IMHO.

Quote from fenn68 on February 28, 2021, 7:00 am

Quote from hoffy51 on February 28, 2021, 6:39 am

Considering Lament's elbow woes with his slider, if, IF, our young guns, Gore, Morejon, Weathers, come around sooner than we expected, wouldn't it be a smart thing to do to have Lament be the closer? Limit his innings and wear-and-tear? Maybe let him start the early part of the season and get past the Dodgers' first couple of series. Just a thought? I just don't know if he is going to make it through a whole season with throwing the slider at the rate he does. Better than another Tommy John surgery IMHO.

Not so sure having Lamet coming in every other day in a role that requires him going full bore (and maybe not fully warmed ... not sure his prep routine) will do much to save elbow over the course of maybe 80 innings vs starting every 6th day and delivering 150 innings but getting a lot of rest on his elbow between starts.

Gamble either way given his elbow ... which I would guess becomes a reoccurring issue. With his "Cy Young" quality performance as a starter .. would take the SP risk.

Probably not a popular idea but IF Lamet can make it through 2021 as a SP with high performance and in 2022 we add Clevinger, Gore, Weathers into the mix with Morejon ... might be the time to trade Lamet with two more years of control / high performance. May deal for a replacement for Pham (remember also DH likely arrives). Plus Lamet, Darvish, Snell all go FA in 2024 .. so some SP realignment needs to begin.

Quote from hoffy51 on February 28, 2021, 8:09 am

I fully agree about the idea of trading Lament if he makes it through the season, and I would add, if Paddock can rebound, with adding Clevinger, plus, Gore, plus Morejon, plus Weathers . . . we could add Paddock to the list. We are going to need some outfield help after Pham and Myers leave.

Quote from fenn68 on February 28, 2021, 8:49 am

Going to be some difficult decisions next winter and really the following winter ... needing to supplement the offense post-Pham and the DH for 2022 and post-Myers and maybe post-Hosmer (if he opts out) for 2023. Could be a need for adding four “regular” position players ... and that is not coming internally.

If (as I suspect for longer term winning) they preserve the prospects arms ... then the proven success of Lamet, Darvish, and Snell (all with multiple control years) have the best market value. Next winter both Clevinger and Musgrove only have 2022 controlled so less trade value (and they will need to be replaced). Paddack (currently with four control years) is a real unknown ... if rebounds in 2021 he is keeper because of his longer control but if he falters in 2021 ... probably has little trade value.

Probably not Darvish (age) but Padres may consider next winter extension with Musgrove (if develops as some expect .. still young). Getting a veteran arm controlled into maybe 2025 should add some stability as the prospects take over. Maybe Snell too but probably not Clevinger (big injury history and not so young) unless it is a one year deal to prove he is back (not sure he will be fully back in 2022).

 

Quote from Brian Connelly on February 28, 2021, 9:09 am

Quote from hoffy51 on February 28, 2021, 8:09 am

I fully agree about the idea of trading Lament if he makes it through the season, and I would add, if Paddock can rebound, with adding Clevinger, plus, Gore, plus Morejon, plus Weathers . . . we could add Paddock to the list. We are going to need some outfield help after Pham and Myers leave.

Not sure the exact player, but it's very logical that the Padres might trade a MLB SP in the offseason.

Not only will they be 9 deep next year (assuming health), but the prospects really should be MLB ready & stretched out by then.

You need WAY more than 5 to be a contender, but this will be burying guys who could easily be top 5 in most MLB rotations...

... I expect a trade for either an elite MLB ready corner OF, or maybe "just" the biggest prospect talent package after this season.

Quote from Brian Connelly on February 28, 2021, 4:22 pm

Lose ST game #1 walkoff with 2 outs in 9th.  But Myers & Ona HR, Gresham & Nola 2B.  No Errors.  Gresham then Hassell play CF... really the only 2 guys I'd call "CF" in camp.  That position will be the most interesting to watch IMO.   The idea of Pham in CF is terrifying, but it's great to see him ready to go Day 1 this year after all he's been through.

They really downplayed how serious the stab wound was at the time it happened!  Amazing that he's playing at all, let alone starting Game 1 of ST!

Quote from BoosterSD on February 28, 2021, 5:17 pm

Saw the video of Myers HR, I love it when he goes deep right of centerfield. It means he is using the whole field and not getting pull happy. IMO, that means he is right, and a GOOD sign.

Quote from fenn68 on March 1, 2021, 8:43 am

Understanding that in game 2 of ST we should not be extrapolating into the future as most players and the coaches are just getting some tune-up reps. However, do find it interesting:

1. Mateo came in yesterday in LF and today starts in CF .. not an INF position. Since he is on the bubble for a 26 man roster slot (likely with O'Grady / Ona) ...maybe his OF defense is critical and has to be further evaluated.
2. Marcano is getting a start in LF ... not likely a roster challenger this year but is this planting the seed of him becoming that super utility player for the future (he has played all three INF slots in the minors) .. maybe a post-Profar option?
3. Kim at SS (not surprising to check out his skill set) ... key if he and Profar are the only reserve INF options. Abrams at 2B ... again just a look at an elite prospect over the others in camp.

Padres have other options for the OF/INF (some non-roster) in camp so if they don't want to over use the regulars early ...  could have gone another way. Probably see the others after 2 AB.

Quote from LynchMob on March 1, 2021, 9:20 am

https://www.mlb.com/padres/news/jorge-ona-homers-in-cactus-league-opener

4 takeaways from Padres' 2021 Cactus League opener