Quote from JasonE135 on March 10, 2024, 7:38 pm

Quote from LynchMob on March 10, 2024, 7:27 pm

Remind me why Go can't be optioned?

Go signed a pro contract as a free agent.

Quote from JasonE135 on March 10, 2024, 7:54 pm

I am seeing:

Rotation

1. Musgrove

2. Darvish

3. King

4. Brito

5. Waldron

Relief

1. Suarez

2. Matsui

3. Wilson

4. Cosgrove

5. de Los Santos

6. Peralta

7. Go

8. Kolek

Seeing as how Vasquez still has options while Waldron and Brito don't, I expect Vasquez to start in the minors. I believe that both Cosgrove and Wilson still have options, so either could be a candidate to start in the minors if the Padres decide they want to keep anyone else in the bullpen. Since both Go and de Los Santos have guaranteed contracts, they are basically guaranteed to make the team. This way the only pitcher the Padres will actually lose is Avila, who has been unimpressive anyway.

Quote from Randy Manese on March 10, 2024, 10:58 pm

Waldron and Brito both have options according to Fangraphs.  Concur that Avila may be the odd man out.

Quote from fenn68 on March 11, 2024, 3:49 am

Cassavell has an interesting piece on who will be 3B until Machado returns to 3B.

Key point is that Machado is expected to be the DH to start a the season but the new information is that he will be “eased in” once he is ready splitting time between 3B and DH for awhile.

That suggests they keep a player that will play a lot of 3B … and probably less a demand for a DH only type. Cassavell has four in the debate:

1. Pauley … LHH (clearly an advantage) … legit prospect having a good ST and, in Cassavell’s opinion, the leader for DH … however, not considered a good defensive player.

2. Wade … LHH … super versatile and has been playing all over the INF and OF … having a very good ST offensively … however, at 30 he has a ML track record that has not be good for the past several years, are we seeing a ST mirage with Wade’s performance?

3. Rosario … RHH … still technically a prospect … has been playing the most 3B of them all this ST (is that a clue?) … can cover 2B, maybe SS … however, a RHH and has yet to show a strong offense.

4. Batten … RHH … super versatile for INF / OF … given his decent ML run in 2023 seemed the front runner for the roster … however, having a bad offensive ST.

Consider Pauley and Wade are non-roster … although the spots are open on the 40 man.

Assuming Merrill makes the club in CF … three open slots and unless they see one of the OF candidates compelling (Marcado, Marsee, Locastro, Mitchell) … they could keep three of the 3B candidates … I would guess then Batten becomes the odd man out (he has options).

Of course a trade or FA signing could alter all that .

Quote from BoosterSD on March 11, 2024, 6:34 am

Reading on MLBTR that HOU maybe looking for bullpen help, and I think we have a couple of RP that are out of options, but may not be as good as those without options.

Wondering if HOU has an OF piece that maybe able to help SD by using an piece from the RP options?

Quote from fenn68 on March 11, 2024, 6:52 am

Quote from BoosterSD on March 11, 2024, 6:34 am

Reading on MLBTR that HOU maybe looking for bullpen help, and I think we have a couple of RP that are out of options, but may not be as good as those without options.

Wondering if HOU has an OF piece that maybe able to help SD by using a piece from the RP options?

If the objective is to add OF help for 2024 … Duban might work (projected as the 4th OF in Houston) but getting him would cost more than the “fringe” Padre RP. Maybe something around De Los Santos gets the discussion started.

More likely is using an Avila type to land an A ball / Rookie ball prospect … that goes for all the “fringe” Padre RP. That is not necessarily bad if thinking for the future.

Quote from Randy Manese on March 11, 2024, 7:22 am

I would be surprised if there was a trade or free agent signing before the Korea trip - I think what we have seen in ST is what we are going to go to war with against the Dodgers.

My 26 man opening day roster in Korea has been updated and now looks like this:

C (3) - Campusano, Higashioka, Sullivan

INF (5) - Cronenworth, Bogaerts, Kim, Machado, Wade (Rosario)

OF (5) - Tatis, Merrill, Profar, Azocar, Locastro (Mercado)

P (13) - Musgrove, Darvish, King, Brito, Waldron, Suarez, Matsui, Peralta, de Los Santos, Go, Kolek, Cosgrove, Wilson (Patino, Morejon, Vasquez)

I'm picking Wade over Pauley because of his better defense and SB ability.  Like what Locastro has done in ST and he too is a good base stealer/runner who can play CF in a pinch.  Sullivan represents another LH hitter who can come off the bench, spot start and even play OF/1b if needed.

Going with proven RP's Cosgrove and Wilson in this short series, but see the need for the longer relief options when they come back to the USA.

The players in parentheses comprise the 5-man "taxi squad" for the Korea series.  Several of these players are on the bubble and how they do in both the 2 exhibition games and the two regular season games in Korea will likely determine who is on the 26-man/40-man roster for the home opener against the Giants.  Others who could make the team are Pauley (prefer he start in AA or AAA), Batten (has 1 option remaining) and Avila (in contention for #5 SP/long relief but no options left) have an outside chance to make the team.

Quote from fenn68 on March 11, 2024, 9:46 am

Maybe not a concern but IF the Padres take a player out of options as one of the 5 taxi squad ... and they have to set the 26 man roster before the first game ... they will have to DFA that player at that point ... shorting themselves for the 2 game series which sort of defeats the purpose. Might opt for players "close" to the ML 26 but with options with the side benefit of a positive stroke for that player for the longer haul.

Expect they "know" their 26 man as they leave for Korea and the exhibition games will have little bearing except for injuries.

Padres leave for Korea either on Wednesday or Thursday (so will know the 31 going soon) and in eight days (19th) we should be hearing the final 26 man roster announced.

No idea how active Preller will be on the trade market while in Korea but he will have to make moves with the players out of options who don't make the 26 man ... so maybe no trades (or FA signings) of any consequential adds BUT maybe some motivation to take action on them before Preller departs for Korea.

Small stuff to be sure ... but stuff to consider in the next eight days.

Quote from fenn68 on March 11, 2024, 10:09 am

Assuming Merrill, Azocar, and Higashioka make the 26 man ... leaves only 3 slots to fill ... with Machado ticketed for DH leaving 3B a demanding a "regular" type and at least one back-up INF. Have Azocar as the 4th OF.

Think that sequence makes it hard for Sullivan to make the roster ... even though a lot of the local media keep implying he has a chance. Sullivan is 30 and only achieved 81 ML AB hitting 210/244/284 which is not an endorsement for a bench hitter for his bat. He is the insurance for C ... so better off starting in AAA.

I do think they will add Wade since he is an INF who can play SS (his old primary), 2B, 3B, and has experience in the OF. Being LHH with versatility and ML experience coming off a strong ST should do it. However, not seeing him as the 3B until Machado is ready for full time duty. Scattered over 7 season from 2017 he could only muster 631 AB and a slash line of 217/293/300. Now he has had a couple of good runs (2021) but not sustained. Padres will need an alternative 3B option (and INF back-up) beyond Wade.

To that end, see Rosario making the 26 man (RHH) maybe to platoon at 3B with Wade with the one not playing the primary reserve INF since Rosario can play 2B and some SS.

That leaves one ... but with 5 OF (counting Wade) and 6 INF (counting Wade) ... Padres have a lot of choices be it an OF or INF ... do they want the better bat? LHH? Additional insurance for 3B if Rosario / Wade just can't hit in the regular season? Padres probably know ... I don't.