Quote from Randy Manese on March 7, 2023, 11:14 pm

Honeywell appears on the bubble right now and tomorrow's start and the next one will be big.  I'm pulling for him because of all the hardships he's had to overcome but in the end, it's whether or not he will be effective and more likely a strength not a detriment to the team.  Lots of competition for that last spot.  It's a business after all.

Quote from fenn68 on March 8, 2023, 3:02 am

Maybe the best for Honeywell making a comeback as a SP is having him clear waivers and get placed in AAA as a SP … build up some innings and refine his stuff as he is still on the comeback for a long run of injury. Puts him in the pack for call-up or being re-added and challenge for a ML slot in 2024 at age 29.

That also helps the Padres who could have Wacha, Lugo, Martinez opt out if the Padres don’t pick up the club side of their options (with a big salary increase) along with Snell a FA. Honeywell would have 6 years control starting at league minimum (or close). Also, in 2023, they could keep a more proven 13th pitcher.

Of course if Honeywell does show enough to actually earn a 2023 over the competitors, he stays. I am rooting for that outcome … let him go the Martinez route of RP in 2023 getting ML experience and graduate to SP in 2024.

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Side: I mentioned the opt outs potentially being an issue in 2024 but might consider the trade of some of those SP next winter (if don’t want to pay the elevated salaries) if the Padres continue to spend … let’s say Ohtani.

Replacement of a couple of the Wacha, Martinez, Lugo, Snell might make sense IF the the prospects impress in 2023: Honeywell, Morejon, Weathers, Groome have the POTENTIAL to at least be a #4-6 SP at a lower cost / more control. That would give some financial options to not only cover a Ohtani but to maybe chase down an upgrade at C or CF or RP (a lot of FA there too).

 

Quote from MrPadre19 on March 8, 2023, 8:36 am

Tatis currently taking swings and most are the one arm follow though variety….that’s a great sign IMO.

 

Quote from Jeremy Hill on March 8, 2023, 8:55 am

Hopefully Honeywell puts together a strong spring and makes it an easy decision to carry him on the 26 man roster. If not the split deal should give him some incentive to stick around if he clears waivers. It's hard to see him passing up a guaranteed 200k minor league salary in favor of free agency. The same goes for Teheran. I think he can get up to 6.5m in the majors with incentives. That should give him some reason to stick around if he doesn't make the 26 man. AJ was smart with the structure of those deals.

Quote from MrPadre19 on March 8, 2023, 4:03 pm

Met AJ Preller today….and Logan White.

AJ was incredibly nice and talked with my son and I and took a pic with us.

Said he doesn’t like to remember 2015.

Quote from fenn68 on March 9, 2023, 6:22 am

Yes still 3 weeks of ST … so a lot can change but so far both Azocar and Dahl (L) have shown quite well while Engel has been sidelined with injury. Could Engel be in trouble  for a roster slot (only a $1MM contact so not a major financial issue)?

They can all play all three OF slots … Dahl provides a LH bat … Azocar looks to be a legit  RHH option for Grisham vs tough LHP.

Have to evaluate Engel for who is today not his past … not the defensive quality of the past and considering all he could get in FA is a $1MM contract suggests that his projection across all MLB is way down.

 

Quote from fenn68 on March 9, 2023, 6:32 am

Watched the game yesterday … sort of an audition of the 13th pitcher with Honeywell - Teheran - Lopez - Stammen.

Lopez sure looks to be falling out of the race quickly … second time I saw him and he has shown zip! No control and gets hit. The clock is ticking on his return to TB.

Honeywell looked fine through two … less so in his third inning but some marginal defense.

Teheran similar profile but interesting the Padres sent him out for a fourth innings and ran his pitch count up.

Still looks as either one could take that last slot … or not.

Although none of us consider Stammen realistically being in the mix … he did what he does best … come in with men on base and induced a DP … so would not totally ignore him given the unknowns in injuries, player optioned to minors, trades, or DFAs.

Quote from Henry Silvestre on March 9, 2023, 12:04 pm

Quote from fenn68 on March 9, 2023, 6:32 am

Watched the game yesterday … sort of an audition of the 13th pitcher with Honeywell - Teheran - Lopez - Stammen.

Lopez sure looks to be falling out of the race quickly … second time I saw him and he has shown zip! No control and gets hit. The clock is ticking on his return to TB.

Honeywell looked fine through two … less so in his third inning but some marginal defense.

Teheran similar profile but interesting the Padres sent him out for a fourth innings and ran his pitch count up.

Still looks as either one could take that last slot … or not.

Although none of us consider Stammen realistically being in the mix … he did what he does best … come in with men on base and induced a DP … so would not totally ignore him given the unknowns in injuries, player optioned to minors, trades, or DFAs.

Don't sleep on Kohlwey.. he has been getting more and more playing time and looks terrific so far

Also I think Lopes has moved ahead of Batten (calf) the way he has been playing on both sides lately

Quote from Randy Manese on March 9, 2023, 2:36 pm

Nice outing by Avila today.  I had him as one of the candidates to come off the 40 man if he didn't show better soon.  Yes, getting a lot of good performances for non roster players fighting for a job.  Some of them probably have opt-outs if they don't make the OD roster or not called up by a certain date but in the meantime good to have some depth, even though ST statistics aren't best forecaster of in-season performances.   My favorite is still Rangel Ravelo - love the name!