Quote from Randy Manese on March 23, 2023, 6:02 pm

Odor got a couple of hits today as did Cruz and Tatis.  Merrill had a nice 2-out RBI after back to back walks by Zavala and Campusano (an early peek into the 2024/2025 lineup?).  With regard to Engel, he's definitely behind because of his early injury but I still thinks he makes the team over Odor or Kohlwey.  Situation kind of similar to Honeywell since he already has a 40 man slot.  Engel 's OPS was over .800 in 2020 and 2021 and even though he hasn't hit like Dahl, he already has 5 walks to Dahl's 1 in much fewer plate appearances; just has to get his timing back.  I think he makes the Opening Day roster and it is just a matter of who does better as a RH hitting OF when Tatis is eligible.  Azocar can be optioned but Engel will likely be claimed by some team if exposed to waivers.  Nice to have that depth.

Quote from Randy Manese on March 24, 2023, 8:03 am

Snell in tune-up for likely opening day start.  Angels bring up some very tough hitters, much better than the expected Colorado lineup, so should be a good test to see where he is and which Snell we might get in the early part of the season.

Quote from fenn68 on March 24, 2023, 8:30 am

Baring another injury (and expecting neither Soto nor Nola to go IL) the pre-Tatis 5 man bench should be:

Campusano - Cruz - Carpenter (L) as the baseline with Azocar - Dahl (L) - Engel.

Basically the non-roster add becomes Dahl because he had a good ST ... bats L ... plays 3 OF slots ... and will play until Tatis returns. (Lopez return to TB makes the roster slot). Do think he survives the return of Tatis ... the LHH and 3 OF slots gives him an advantage.

So then down to Azocar (optioned) or Engel (released). I know the easy call is optioning Azocar but I would keep him ... just see him has better right now than Engel. In 2021 Engel had a slash line of 224/269/310 and for his career 225/280/350 ... and at 31 his defense is not better than Azocar. I guess I am also influenced by the fact SD signed him as a FA for only $1MM (dirt cheap for any good ML veteran) with no other team outbidding ... so not really thought that high of by others. If they release him and another team signs him ... cost to the Padres only $250K ... if no team signs him to a ML contract might tell you that he is not that good and was not worth keeping.

Quote from fenn68 on March 24, 2023, 8:46 am

Did see a note that Musgrove is aiming at starting game 7 ... given pitchers have a 15 day IL ... suggests that Musgrove does not plan to go on the IL.

If that is the case ... might make a difference on who the Padres keep as the other 12 pitchers. Have a 1 - 5 and either a go with the first starter again in game 6 OR keep a starter / long RP to deploy in game 6. With he unknown depth Darvish will give with this short ramp up and the length the others can provide out of the block ... might need a second long man unless they rely on Crismatt.

Musgrove - Darvish - Snell - Wacha - Martinez - Lugo

Hader - Suarez - Garcia - Hill - Crismatt

+2 out of Wilson, Groome, Weathers, Honeywell, Lopez, Teheran ... but that call could last for some time until the starters start show they are able to go deep into game. Might makes sense to go Groome / Honeywell to start.

 

Quote from BoosterSD on March 24, 2023, 8:51 am

Quote from fenn68 on March 24, 2023, 8:30 am

So then down to Azocar (optioned) or Engel (released). I know the easy call is optioning Azocar but I would keep him ... just see him has better right now than Engel. In 2021 Engel had a slash line of 224/269/310 and for his career 225/280/350 ... and at 31 his defense is not better than Azocar. I guess I am also influenced by the fact SD signed him as a FA for only $1MM (dirt cheap for any good ML veteran) with no other team outbidding ... so not really thought that high of by others. If they release him and another team signs him ... cost to the Padres only $250K ... if no team signs him to a ML contract might tell you that he is not that good and was not worth keeping.

I would go the opposite way, and option Azocar. He is 26, and making a slight swing change from what I have heard on some of the broadcasts. So I think it would be best for Azocar and SD long term to get everyday ABs, instead of sporadic ABs with the ML team.

In fact, I think I would have Azocar start the season in AAA, and go with Sullivan as a 3rd C/5th OFer with a LH bat to start the season. As Sullivan being a little older and more experienced could handle less playing time, and can play some COF if needed.

Quote from fenn68 on March 24, 2023, 9:06 am

Quote from BoosterSD on March 24, 2023, 8:51 am

Quote from fenn68 on March 24, 2023, 8:30 am

So then down to Azocar (optioned) or Engel (released). I know the easy call is optioning Azocar but I would keep him ... just see him has better right now than Engel. In 2021 Engel had a slash line of 224/269/310 and for his career 225/280/350 ... and at 31 his defense is not better than Azocar. I guess I am also influenced by the fact SD signed him as a FA for only $1MM (dirt cheap for any good ML veteran) with no other team outbidding ... so not really thought that high of by others. If they release him and another team signs him ... cost to the Padres only $250K ... if no team signs him to a ML contract might tell you that he is not that good and was not worth keeping.

I would go the opposite way, and option Azocar. He is 26, and making a slight swing change from what I have heard on some of the broadcasts. So I think it would be best for Azocar and SD long term to get everyday ABs, instead of sporadic ABs with the ML team.

In fact, I think I would have Azocar start the season in AAA, and go with Sullivan as a 3rd C/5th OFer with a LH bat to start the season. As Sullivan being a little older and more experienced could handle less playing time, and can play some COF if needed.

I have been debating the same logic but went with Azocar with the thought that he is better than Engel right now and winning at the ML level is more important out of the blocks with Tatis out than further development of Azocar. Then when Tatis returns ... and the remaining questions I have around Grisham ... see Azocar as the better RHH platoon for Grisham against tough LHP (or any pitching Grisham has difficulty with).

If Azocar needs to be sent down later in the season ... that option remains. Engel at best would be the 13th position player who rarely plays ... so not sure a minor league call-up would be that consequential.

Side: although optimistic about Dahl ... always cautious about ST vs regular season on a player coming off a series of down years (even if due to injury).

Quote from BoosterSD on March 24, 2023, 9:35 am

I would think that as long as Soto is healthy, that SD can weather the 20 days until the return of Tatis with an OF of Soto, Grisham, Dahl, and a combo of Engel, Carpenter, and Sullivan. All the while giving Azocar the chance to play everyday and be even better if/when needed depending on the potential struggles of Grisham/Engel/Dahl.

I can also see, that if Grisham is under performing again, that SD could go with Azocar in CF depending on his AAA performance. Or simply move Tatis to CF, and go with a Dahl/Azocar option in RF.

Could be a mix and match for 30-40 days until the reality of ST and regular season performance shows itself.

Quote from Jeremy Hill on March 24, 2023, 10:09 am

Melvin just said that Engel hurt his hamstring yesterday. I would think that makes him unlikely for the opening day roster. I guess the question now is who gets the last bench spot while he's out.

It also sounds like Darvish is tracking towards starting the 6th game of the year. I would think that means Groome will be in the rotation for at least 1 start.

 

Quote from Randy Manese on March 24, 2023, 10:23 am

If Engel goes on the 10 day IL (or is released), then from a hitting standpoint the best bets are Odor and Kohlwey, however, neither are on the 40 man.  I'm going along with Booster's thoughts on keeping Sullivan as the last man on the bench because he can play OF and also c, which are two positions that might need a little more depth with Nola and Soto coming back from injuries.  If that doesn't work out, we can always bring up someone else and DFA one of the RPs or put one on the 60 day IL.