Quote from fenn68 on March 16, 2024, 5:21 am

Brad Miller released.

Quote from fenn68 on March 17, 2024, 5:54 am

Watched the exhibition game in Korea this AM.

Although the box score may look like a pitchers’ duel … more like a lack of hitting duel from both sides. Pitchers on both sides really did not have great command (or stuff) but the hitters across the board did not generate much hard contact.

Padres rolled out Brito for two innings then a string of one inning stints by seven RP. Nothing bad … but nothing exceptional. The lack of offense was highlighted by Machado striking out all 4 AB (and not looking all that into the game). Add that in Peoria the team seemed to be more focused on making contact (hitting up the middle) but in this game a lot of swing for the fences … not a good sign. The one bright spot was Merrill who had two hits … one opposite field down the line and one a ground ball up the middle … plus stole a base. Not challenged in the field.

Cease is scheduled to go tonight … that should be fun. The rest of the RP should get an inning and we will probably see the other position players since they let the starters go the whole game (except Azocar came in for Profar late). Wade played 3B and had an outstanding defensive play.

Hope the offense kicks it up a gear tonight … and looks a bit more motivated.

Quote from Randy Manese on March 17, 2024, 2:07 pm

With Merrill being assigned jersey #3 and Wade #14, it seems both have made the team.  I don't believe Wade has any options remaining so he'll have to produce while Machado can't man 3rd base.  Eguy has an option remaining and they don't have to roster Pauley yet, so it will be interesting to see who claims that 13th spot at the end of the Korea Series and the remainder of Spring Training.

Agree that the Padres seemed to want to put on a show for their Korean hosts and got out of what made them better offensively in Arizona.  However, I still a season that depends heavily on defense and depth of pitching to hopefully clinch a playoff spot.  The good news is everyone is healthy so let's keep it that way!

Quote from WindsorUK on March 17, 2024, 4:11 pm

Guys were taking huge cuts today!

Hopefully tomorrow they'll settle down and just hit the ball where its pitched.

Quote from BoosterSD on March 17, 2024, 6:52 pm

Quote from WindsorUK on March 17, 2024, 4:11 pm

Guys were taking huge cuts today!

Hopefully tomorrow they'll settle down and just hit the ball where its pitched.

Probably taking huge cuts to hit bombs for the Korean fans. Hopefully not the approach for the season.

Quote from dusty on March 17, 2024, 6:52 pm

Quote from Randy Manese on March 17, 2024, 2:07 pm

With Merrill being assigned jersey #3 and Wade #14, it seems both have made the team.  I don't believe Wade has any options remaining so he'll have to produce while Machado can't man 3rd base.  Eguy has an option remaining and they don't have to roster Pauley yet, so it will be interesting to see who claims that 13th spot at the end of the Korea Series and the remainder of Spring Training.

Agree that the Padres seemed to want to put on a show for their Korean hosts and got out of what made them better offensively in Arizona.  However, I still a season that depends heavily on defense and depth of pitching to hopefully clinch a playoff spot.  The good news is everyone is healthy so let's keep it that way!

My best guess is they have a deal in place to sign pham but are waiting to announce it. Not sure it is a good idea to announce and either rush pham to korea or play with one less player.  I imagine pham gets that last spot

Quote from BoosterSD on March 18, 2024, 6:42 am

Nice game for Kim, hitting 2 HRs in the game in front of his home nation. Totally awesome.

Hopefully he can keep it going v LAD this week.

Quote from fenn68 on March 18, 2024, 7:41 am

Padres looked better in yesterday’s game.

Cease showed a high 90s FB up in the zone and a sharp slider down in the zone … decent command over his two innings.

Do note that Rosario started at 3B (Wade the day before) … does that signal a Rosario / Wade platoon at 3B is the plan until Manny returns full time? Pauley did get in late (and had a hit). Padres finished the game using the last of the position players available.

One concern is the future for Go. He came in in the 9th and gave up two runs (one a HR) … was use very sparingly in “A” games this spring and was not effective. Apparently the adjustment to the ML baseball (size, lower seams) is giving him a problem. Signed as a FA cannot be optioned … maybe a phantom IL stint … or with more effective options on hand will they put him on waivers and eat the $2MM in 2024 and 2025?

Quote from Randy Manese on March 18, 2024, 8:02 am

SP - Darvish, Musgrove, Cease, King, Brito (or Waldron)

RP - Peralta, Cosgrove, Matsui, Waldron (or Brito) - based on ST results - +4 others

Patino - 2.57 WHIP, 19.29 ERA, 3/2 BB/K; De los Santos - 2.37 WHIP, 8.53 ERA, 2/9 BB/K; Go - 2.31 WHIP, 12.46, 2/5 BB/K; Avila - 2.28 WHIP, 8.64 ERA, 4/3 BB/K; Suarez - 2.25 WHIP, 6.15 ERA, 4/9 BB/K;  Morejon - 1.93 WHIP, 7.71 ERA, 1/4 BB/K; Vasquez - 1.73 WHIP, 6.23 ERA, 5/9 BB/K; Kolek - 1.41 WHIP, 0.00 ERA, 4/5 BB/K

Non-roster: Estrada - 0.68 WHIP, 0.00 ERA, 3/10 BB/K

Suarez and de Los Santos are vets and are looking better as the season nears; Go, not that impressive but likely not going to be sent down - he's the last man in the pen at this point.  So that really leaves just 1 spot to open the season.   Morejon and Vasquez can be optioned and likely will.  Estrada does not have to be rostered yet but really is more deserving than any of the remaining candidates.  It would seem that of those currently on the 40-man, this leaves the final spot to either Patino, Avila or Kolek.  Patino didn't make the trip to Korea and Avila didn't pitch in either of the exhibition games, so it has to be Kolek - or does it?

Think about this:  Fangraphs has Go with 1 option and Estrada with 2 (if rostered).  Since the majority of the staff are all  1 inning guys, I would think you need 1 more long man, so I will go against the grain and keep 2 players without options to open the season in San Diego - Avila and Kolek - to fill out the 8 man bullpen.  I may also roster Estrada but then option him and Go before the Korea series to get down to 26; Go needs more time to adjust to MLB hitters.  Patino is DFA'd while the optioned Morejon and Vasquez need more fine tuning but are set to be early recalls along with Estrada and Go.  By the way, Morejon looked very impressive against the LG Twins striking out all 4 batters he faced with an easy 98 mph heater and sharp breaking stuff.

Remember down in El Paso/San Antonio you also have Jacob, Reynolds, Sandridge (L) and Gillaspie from the 40 man and Krob, Bergert and Mazur as experienced college pitchers with strong seasons last year who could move up.  This provides a very deep pen.  Plus Patino might get through waivers and shake some of the rust off.  If Avila and Kolek fail, lots of options - unlike last year when we kept a lot of injured arms on the roster hoping that some would be ready for most of the season.