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Spring Training 2024
#111 · March 12, 2024, 12:08 am
With the surprise reassignment of Locastro to the minor league camp, Eguy looks like he has a good chance to make the 26-man roster. Because of how well Pauley has played lately, the question is whether he or Wade will get the last position player spot. I still would prefer hat Pauley get some more plate appearances in the minors but he is looking very poised at the plate even though he is not that good in the field. This may come down to the very last day before they board the plane to Korea.
Merrill, however, was really impressive today. Singled on a line drive to RF in the first, then hit a HR just to the right of dead centerfield, and finally drove a double down the left field line. In a year or so, when Merrill gets more inclined to pull the ball, you might see him top 20 HRs;in fact, growing into his strength, he might not even have to pull the ball to reach that mark in future years.
#112 · March 12, 2024, 12:55 am
Thinking Pauley is OD 3B, and Wade is our back up infielder.
Eguy and Batten odd men out.
When Manny goes back to 3B, all that changes.
#113 · March 12, 2024, 3:24 am
To me looking as if Pauley starts at 3B (good chance) and Machado DH … the 4 bench pieces will be
Higashioka … C
Azocar … RHH OF
Rosario … RHH INF and possible partial platoon with Pauley at 3B
Wade … LHH OF/INF
That is some versatility on the bench with athletic players who can cover multiple positions.
An outside chance they option one of Pauley or Rosario not wanting a prospect to sit on the bench even part-time and instead keep veteran Miller as a LHH bench piece to start the season and the one not optioned is the starting 3B. I guess using the same logic they could keep Sullivan over Miller.
Keep in mind that once Machado is ready to resume 3B on a full time basis he will likely play every day … so whomever starts 2024 as the 3B (because they can play 3B) goes into the DH mix and, potentially is either benched or optioned to make room for a stronger DH bat if that player is not the strongest bat. So, maybe their projection on Machado’s readiness has an impact on the choices.
#114 · March 12, 2024, 3:42 am
A bit surprised that Thorpe is still in major league camp … especially since he has only pitched in 2 ST “A” games (3 innings) and not since March 1. Getting his work in “B” games and the backfields. Non-roster and everyone believed he was ticketed for AA to start 2024 … so remaining around may be indicating that the Padres really see him as maybe the first SP call-up during the season (injuries do happen) and want him comfortable with the ML roster / coaches.
Brito - Waldron - Vasquez - Avila for two starting slots … we have “hope” two of them can deliver at ML quality but that is still an unknown … so having Thorpe positioned to step up makes sense.
#115 · March 12, 2024, 6:40 am
According to MLBTR, SD is still showing interest in Taylor, Duvall, and Pham. Should be interesting to see which one bends to taking what dollars SD is offering. There are pros and cons to all 3, with my preference still leaning to Duvall who provides the most position flexibility and power. But has also had the worst of staying healthy.
Unfortunately (IMO) probably see Pham in a SD uni again, and Profar pushed to a bench position, maybe even knocking both Pauley and Rosario back to MiL, and Profar starting at 3B until Machado can return to the field.
#116 · March 12, 2024, 7:15 am
Quote from BoosterSD on March 12, 2024, 6:40 amAccording to MLBTR, SD is still showing interest in Taylor, Duvall, and Pham. Should be interesting to see which one bends to taking what dollars SD is offering. There are pros and cons to all 3, with my preference still leaning to Duvall who provides the most position flexibility and power. But has also had the worst of staying healthy.
Unfortunately (IMO) probably see Pham in a SD uni again, and Profar pushed to a bench position, maybe even knocking both Pauley and Rosario back to MiL, and Profar starting at 3B until Machado can return to the field.
Saw that … a situation with Duvall (my preference), Pham, Taylor, Belt, and Martinez still unsigned at this late stage is unusual … one or two maybe but not five at this point. Then add Snell, Montgomery, and Lorenzen. Makes me think that somehow collectively all teams ratcheted down their spending plans and the agents / players are holding on to the old playbook.
The “rumors” of interest in all those players has been minimal all winter … appearing to be few teams are all the engaged, if at all above “interested”. If the few teams “interested” read the market the same way … and these players are not cornerstone types … all take the wait them out for the lowest contract possible and if they don’t sign … no big deal.
Preller probably has low ball offers in a some of these FA but is not negotiating … more take it or leave it … and by some date the offer is off the table. Same goes for the few other teams (if any) that are “interested”.
Must be a bitter pill to swallow for these FA after coming off “good contacts” with decent stats vs. other that have signed and not getting anything close to those deals.
Time is on the side of the teams.
#117 · March 12, 2024, 8:22 am
The other item that plays into SD hand as well has been the performance of Merrill. While most on hear agree that Pauley, Merrill, and Marsee can all use some additional time in MiL. SD can still use this as a bargaining tool saying take this offer or I will simply go with the kids.
#118 · March 12, 2024, 8:44 am
Quote from fenn68 on March 12, 2024, 3:42 amA bit surprised that Thorpe is still in major league camp … especially since he has only pitched in 2 ST “A” games (3 innings) and not since March 1. Getting his work in “B” games and the backfields. Non-roster and everyone believed he was ticketed for AA to start 2024 … so remaining around may be indicating that the Padres really see him as maybe the first SP call-up during the season (injuries do happen) and want him comfortable with the ML roster / coaches.
Brito - Waldron - Vasquez - Avila for two starting slots … we have “hope” two of them can deliver at ML quality but that is still an unknown … so having Thorpe positioned to step up makes sense.
Well I post and the Padres respond … Thorpe is the SP today for the Padres “A” game.
(need to have that ability the next time I go to Vegas.)
#119 · March 12, 2024, 9:00 am
Quote from fenn68 on March 12, 2024, 7:15 amQuote from BoosterSD on March 12, 2024, 6:40 amAccording to MLBTR, SD is still showing interest in Taylor, Duvall, and Pham. Should be interesting to see which one bends to taking what dollars SD is offering. There are pros and cons to all 3, with my preference still leaning to Duvall who provides the most position flexibility and power. But has also had the worst of staying healthy.
Unfortunately (IMO) probably see Pham in a SD uni again, and Profar pushed to a bench position, maybe even knocking both Pauley and Rosario back to MiL, and Profar starting at 3B until Machado can return to the field.
Saw that … a situation with Duvall (my preference), Pham, Taylor, Belt, and Martinez still unsigned at this late stage is unusual … one or two maybe but not five at this point. Then add Snell, Montgomery, and Lorenzen. Makes me think that somehow collectively all teams ratcheted down their spending plans and the agents / players are holding on to the old playbook.
The “rumors” of interest in all those players has been minimal all winter … appearing to be few teams are all the engaged, if at all above “interested”. If the few teams “interested” read the market the same way … and these players are not cornerstone types … all take the wait them out for the lowest contract possible and if they don’t sign … no big deal.
Preller probably has low ball offers in a some of these FA but is not negotiating … more take it or leave it … and by some date the offer is off the table. Same goes for the few other teams (if any) that are “interested”.
Must be a bitter pill to swallow for these FA after coming off “good contacts” with decent stats vs. other that have signed and not getting anything close to those deals.
Time is on the side of the teams.
I'd pass on Duvall. He's an extremely pull happy hitter. My concern would be that a lot of his moonshot home runs and doubles off the monster turn into outs under the Petco marine layer. His OPS was almost 200 points better at Fenway than on the road last season. It's a small sample size, but he's only managed a .581 OPS in 56 ABs at Petco in his career. I'm not really sold on any of the rumored OF targets to be honest.
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Randy Manese
#120 · March 12, 2024, 9:36 am
Quote from Jeremy Hill on March 12, 2024, 9:00 amQuote from fenn68 on March 12, 2024, 7:15 amQuote from BoosterSD on March 12, 2024, 6:40 amAccording to MLBTR, SD is still showing interest in Taylor, Duvall, and Pham. Should be interesting to see which one bends to taking what dollars SD is offering. There are pros and cons to all 3, with my preference still leaning to Duvall who provides the most position flexibility and power. But has also had the worst of staying healthy.
Unfortunately (IMO) probably see Pham in a SD uni again, and Profar pushed to a bench position, maybe even knocking both Pauley and Rosario back to MiL, and Profar starting at 3B until Machado can return to the field.
Saw that … a situation with Duvall (my preference), Pham, Taylor, Belt, and Martinez still unsigned at this late stage is unusual … one or two maybe but not five at this point. Then add Snell, Montgomery, and Lorenzen. Makes me think that somehow collectively all teams ratcheted down their spending plans and the agents / players are holding on to the old playbook.
The “rumors” of interest in all those players has been minimal all winter … appearing to be few teams are all the engaged, if at all above “interested”. If the few teams “interested” read the market the same way … and these players are not cornerstone types … all take the wait them out for the lowest contract possible and if they don’t sign … no big deal.
Preller probably has low ball offers in a some of these FA but is not negotiating … more take it or leave it … and by some date the offer is off the table. Same goes for the few other teams (if any) that are “interested”.
Must be a bitter pill to swallow for these FA after coming off “good contacts” with decent stats vs. other that have signed and not getting anything close to those deals.
Time is on the side of the teams.
I'd pass on Duvall. He's an extremely pull happy hitter. My concern would be that a lot of his moonshot home runs and doubles off the monster turn into outs under the Petco marine layer. His OPS was almost 200 points better at Fenway than on the road last season. It's a small sample size, but he's only managed a .581 OPS in 56 ABs at Petco in his career. I'm not really sold on any of the rumored OF targets to be honest.
I guess the question is at what price is any of them a upgrade from what they have ... or may need if there are any injuries ... Padres don't have great depth. $2MM for one of them vs $0.8MM for the likes of Marcado et al might be appealing without much downside. $8MM not so much.
Probably part of the reason Preller has not been aggressively pursuing any of them.