Quote from Henry Silvestre on March 18, 2023, 1:13 pm

Quote from fenn68 on March 18, 2023, 12:20 pm

Noticed Campusano is slated to start ... think it is important for him given his time missed due to the injury.

I expect if he looks ready and half decent he will hold off a roster bid by Severino (can bring him up later if needed).

Severino has not been great in ST but steady and does have the ML experience who should be at least "average" as a 2nd catcher.

And has been very solid at throwing out runners

Quote from 3fingersplit on March 18, 2023, 1:21 pm

Campusano needs to step up and show his stuff because Salas will be on the 26 sooner than later barring any injuries.

Severino and Sullivan are actually better receivers from a mechanics standpoint but Campusano has a better upside as a batter…he’s not a hitter yet but that can change with playing time at the major league level.

If nothing else he needs to showcase himself for a potential trade to a team that may be short in the catching position

Quote from fenn68 on March 18, 2023, 3:01 pm

Quote from 3fingersplit on March 18, 2023, 1:21 pm

Campusano needs to step up and show his stuff because Salas will be on the 26 sooner than later barring any injuries.

Severino and Sullivan are actually better receivers from a mechanics standpoint but Campusano has a better upside as a batter…he’s not a hitter yet but that can change with playing time at the major league level.

If nothing else he needs to showcase himself for a potential trade to a team that may be short in the catching position

Think Salas will be on track to replace Nola (FA after 2025) which will give Salas 3 years of development in the minors and arrive still at age 19. Would not expect (or plan) for anything earlier.

If Campusano shows well he easily beats out Severino / Sullivan behind Nola ... if not he is not a trade chip, at least for any kind of decent return. Padres probably try to convert him to 1B/DH to maximize his hitting potential and potentially replace Cruz in 2024. His calling card is (and has been) his bat ... so somewhat ignore his catching defense as the decision factor (they lived with Alfaro) and focus on the bat with the alternative position options.

Quote from fenn68 on March 18, 2023, 3:06 pm

2 hits with a HR and a double for Campusano ... stock has risen.

Quote from fenn68 on March 18, 2023, 3:11 pm

Sure ST but if this offense with the regulars delivers like this ... Padres will be OK. PS. Brewers really look bad.

Honeywell did nothing to earn a slot ... worst control I have seen from him this spring. (looking better he may clear waivers). Still like his "stuff".

However, M. Lugo had another 2K inning and continues to impress me ... non-roster but building a resume for a mid-season call-up if needed. With the potential injures and unimpressive performance by Honeywell ... outside chance added for opening day?

Quote from fenn68 on March 19, 2023, 7:52 am

Padres may have a difficult decision on Jose Castillo … currently injured (again). Has his POTENTIAL faded as a reason to keep him on the 40 man.

First of all he is already 27 and has barely pitched since 2018. Did not pitch in 2020-21, only 8.2 innings (majors and minors) in 2019, and just 44.1 innings last year. What makes this trickier is:

a. He has only one minor league option remaining … so if they use that now in 2024 is the 26 man or DFA, however,

b. If as they have done before and put him on the 60 day IL then he continues to earn ML service time and he is already down to three control years remaining so if there for the year down to two.

Given his poor health and non-pitching since 2018 … Padres may want the roster slot more than Castillo … he should clear waivers for all the above reasons and maybe the Padres can resign (if he is eligible for minor league FA).

___________________________________

The injury history for Castillo and Morejon plus the injury / FA status of Pomeranz with no top LHRP near … maybe the Padres may have to consider that rumored extension for Hader.

Quote from Randy Manese on March 19, 2023, 10:29 am

Watched a lot of Castillo's comeback from TJ in El Paso last year and he looked very good, for the most part.  Occasional blips from long layoff, but lot of swing and miss and surprisingly good control.  Followed that up with a few solid appearances in Lake Elsinore.

I think you answered your own question.  If there are very few (and there are) quality LH RP in the Padres system, why not hang onto these guys, especially since Pomeranz and Hader may be gone after this year and Hill is much older (27 is old for a pitcher?).  Pitchers, because of what they do, are always fighting some kind of injury.  The current ones for Castillo and Morejon don't appear too severe and you're not going to find those kind of arms, when healthy, available.  Still have options plus the IL list so let's use those tools, get them healthy and activate them when we need them.  There are plenty of others currently on the 40 man that are a lot more at risk at being released/DFA'd.  Lopez, Cosgrove and Kerr, even though healthy, are not better than Castillo or Morejon when healthy.

As for extending Hader, I'm against it.  Need what little financial flexibility we have for the 2024 roster.  Even if we let him go FA, could give qualifying offer, which would be over 19M, if we think he is worth it or negotiate against other teams.  Probably very few competitors willing to put up more than 19M for a RP.

Quote from Randy Manese on March 19, 2023, 11:04 am

With the exception of Nola, Carpenter and Cruz looks like it is an opportunity for guys fighting for the last spots on the bench to make an impression.  This also includes Teheran, who has been up and down this spring.

Quote from fenn68 on March 19, 2023, 1:14 pm

Quote from Randy Manese on March 19, 2023, 10:29 am

Watched a lot of Castillo's comeback from TJ in El Paso last year and he looked very good, for the most part.  Occasional blips from long layoff, but lot of swing and miss and surprisingly good control.  Followed that up with a few solid appearances in Lake Elsinore.

I think you answered your own question.  If there are very few (and there are) quality LH RP in the Padres system, why not hang onto these guys, especially since Pomeranz and Hader may be gone after this year and Hill is much older (27 is old for a pitcher?).  Pitchers, because of what they do, are always fighting some kind of injury.  The current ones for Castillo and Morejon don't appear too severe and you're not going to find those kind of arms, when healthy, available.  Still have options plus the IL list so let's use those tools, get them healthy and activate them when we need them.  There are plenty of others currently on the 40 man that are a lot more at risk at being released/DFA'd.  Lopez, Cosgrove and Kerr, even though healthy, are not better than Castillo or Morejon when healthy.

As for extending Hader, I'm against it.  Need what little financial flexibility we have for the 2024 roster.  Even if we let him go FA, could give qualifying offer, which would be over 19M, if we think he is worth it or negotiate against other teams.  Probably very few competitors willing to put up more than 19M for a RP.

On Hader, sure the QO but he will get a guaranteed contract from some team even if not an AAV of $19MM ... 3-4 years of guaranteed money for RP that fade/get injured a lot is way better than a QO for one year. Not a fan of extending him but at the end of the season if the only LHRP / end of game projected based on production (not hope) Padres really have to consider biting the bullet.

On Castillo, it really depends on the rest of the 40 man since he is still barely above minimum ... and agree there others who will go first. However, still banking the on POTENTIAL of an arm that has not logged a ton of innings since 2018 and running out of team control/minor league options has to be put to question. It may not be this spring ... maybe mid-season for a non-roster add ... maybe at the end of the season as the roster is reformed for Rule 5 protection of other prospects but he has to be in play UNLESS he produces in 2023.