Quote from Jeremy Hill on March 11, 2024, 10:17 am

The latest wave of cuts was just announced. Batten, Mitchell, Marsee, Locastro, Plawecki and McCoy were all sent to minor league camp. 37 left in big league camp, but that includes Otto and Marcano who are likely headed to the IL once the season starts. So 4 more cuts to go to get down to 31 for Korea. Based on his play and the recent lineups in "A" games I think it's pretty safe to say Pauley is going to make the team. Thorpe still being in the mix might be the most interesting development.

Cassavell's news letter this morning said that while active rosters will be set at 26 for the Korean series they can have 3 of the 5 taxi squad players considered part of the big league roster without needing to be optioned. I think that's probably to let them have some flexibility for the exhibitions, but it adds an interesting wrinkle that could work in our favor. It's also worth noting that we won't need a 4th and 5th starter until the end of the month. They could choose to carry an extra reliever or 2 and leave the likes of Waldron, Brito and Vasquez behind to stay stretched out.

Quote from fenn68 on March 11, 2024, 10:17 am

Padres send the following to minor league camp: Marsee; Mitchell; Locastro; and Batten ... couple of other lesser name.

Odds on Wade making the 26 man is way up ... as the OF group has be depleted and the middle INF bench has been reduced.

Quote from Jeremy Hill on March 11, 2024, 10:20 am

I'd switch Tatis and Bogaerts, but this could very well be the opening day lineup.

https://twitter.com/Padres/status/1767226710762893438

Quote from fenn68 on March 11, 2024, 11:28 am

Quote from Jeremy Hill on March 11, 2024, 10:20 am

I'd switch Tatis and Bogaerts, but this could very well be the opening day lineup.

https://twitter.com/Padres/status/1767226710762893438

Could well be that Shildt is getting both comfortable (or uncomfortable) batting 1st or 2nd before settling on a normal order. One, both have historically been poor batting #2 ... so maybe something in that. Two, IF Shildt wants one or the other leading off ... and if one gets injured during the season ... at least Shildt will have some sense of either leading off.

Notice he is splitting the LHH with Cronenworth (#3), Pauley (#6), and Merrill (#9) ... that should benefit the LHH ... and they have the most to prove. That makes sense. Also, putting Merrill at #9 probably takes the most pressure off him as a rookie.

Quote from BoosterSD on March 11, 2024, 12:23 pm

Quote from Jeremy Hill on March 11, 2024, 10:20 am

I'd switch Tatis and Bogaerts, but this could very well be the opening day lineup.

https://twitter.com/Padres/status/1767226710762893438

I personally think switching Kim and Bogaerts is the better option. He stole 38 bags last season, and that would let Tatis see a lot of fastballs trying to catch Kim stealing. Plus Bogaerts is very accomplished as #5 hitter historically.

Kim, Tatis, Crone, Machado, Bogearts, Pauley, Campusano, Profar, Merrill.

Quote from fenn68 on March 11, 2024, 12:49 pm

Quote from BoosterSD on March 11, 2024, 12:23 pm

Quote from Jeremy Hill on March 11, 2024, 10:20 am

I'd switch Tatis and Bogaerts, but this could very well be the opening day lineup.

https://twitter.com/Padres/status/1767226710762893438

I personally think switching Kim and Bogaerts is the better option. He stole 38 bags last season, and that would let Tatis see a lot of fastballs trying to catch Kim stealing. Plus Bogaerts is very accomplished as #5 hitter historically.

Kim, Tatis, Crone, Machado, Bogearts, Pauley, Campusano, Profar, Merrill.

Maybe a bit of TBD until they find out which Kim and which Tatis shows up in 2024. Not sure what Shildt is looking for at the top of the order ... and who he wants to get the most AB across the season.

Kim and Tatis should give the speed and Shildt seems to want to focus on speed more in 2024. However, Bogaerts may provide the best OBP that would benefit those following in the line-up. Bogaerts and Kim are similar power while Tatis is way above them (does Shildt want the power early or with players on base?)

Bogaerts has the lowest K% of the three (Tatis the highest) ... Kim has the highest BB% (Tatis the lowest).

I guess can make a case for Bogaerts leading off and Kim second ... maximize the OBP, BB%, and avoid the higher K%. Tatis should be an impact no matter where but his potential for 40+ HR but with men on base hitting in the middle of the order is really tempting. Kim also seems like a hitter who can and run and use his speed to avoid DP grounders or steal if Bogaerts makes out #1 in an innings setting up the the middle of the order.

So who is Kim in 2024 and who is Tatis in 2024 ... might not really know for a month into the season ... adjust line-up accordingly.

Quote from sportwarrior on March 11, 2024, 1:26 pm

Nothing to do with anything recently posted, but wow has there been a difference in TV coverage this year vs last. There's a lot to be said about our unfortunate TV situation, and that has a ton to do with the lack of coverage, but I'm also surprised at how few opposing broadcasts are available, as well. It's definitely a bummer.

Quote from Jeremy Hill on March 11, 2024, 3:15 pm

Quote from BoosterSD on March 11, 2024, 12:23 pm

Quote from Jeremy Hill on March 11, 2024, 10:20 am

I'd switch Tatis and Bogaerts, but this could very well be the opening day lineup.

https://twitter.com/Padres/status/1767226710762893438

I personally think switching Kim and Bogaerts is the better option. He stole 38 bags last season, and that would let Tatis see a lot of fastballs trying to catch Kim stealing. Plus Bogaerts is very accomplished as #5 hitter historically.

Kim, Tatis, Crone, Machado, Bogearts, Pauley, Campusano, Profar, Merrill.

I think there's a good chance we see Kim leadoff against lefties. He would have to prove that he's made serious gains against right handed pitching before I would move him up against them. He put up an .896 OPS against lefties last season. He only managed a .682 against right handed pitching.

Quote from fenn68 on March 11, 2024, 4:19 pm

OK, still confused on the roster for Korea ... I know they take 31 players and per Cassavell

"Gameday rosters will remain at 26. But the Padres can bring as many as five additional players with them to Korea. In that group of five, three will technically remain part of the big league roster, without needing to be optioned."

So, it appears three of the "taxi squad" don't have to be optioned as of the opener but

1. can they be added to / deleted from the final 26 man between game 1 and game 2 if not driven by an injury?
2. do they have to be optioned (or one of the 26 optioned) as soon as they return to the US creating a final 26 man?
3. The implication of those three are they are on the 40 man (or option issue not there), so if they want a non-roster player part of that group of three ... do they have to add him to the 40 man before Korea?
4. Can the other two be non-roster players who would only be added to the 26 man if injuries?
5. From a 40 man roster perspective ... for the players who do not go to Korea ... is the final roster set on opening day in Korea and DFAs occur on the 19th for out of option players?

I am confused ... not something new ... but detail is important ... somewhat.