Quote from MrPadre19 on February 6, 2024, 1:51 pm

Well, 5 more days until Pitches and Catchers report.

Someone said something else was going on on Sunday?

 

Quote from JasonE135 on February 6, 2024, 7:12 pm

Quote from BoosterSD on January 26, 2024, 1:11 pm

SD has just released non-roster invitees for ST.

OF prospects Marsee and Ornelas. Plus some of the "bodies" we mentioned on the posts, Bryce Johnson, Calvin Mitchell, Mercado, and Robert Perez Jr. (never really heard of him).

INF prospects Pauley and Merrill among others.

Salas will also be at ST, no surprise there.

Some pitchers from the minors are Mazur, Bergert, Thorpe, and Snelling. Probably not wanting to push Lesko at this time.

Lesko needs to regain his pre-TJ command before he is ready to go against MLB hitters. Spring training should be great for Mazur, Bergert, Thorpe, Iriarte and Snelling. It should show them, very quickly, what they need to work on. What works and what doesn't against MLB hitters.

Hopefully the Padres can cobble together an OF of 1 or 2 of the "just camp bodies", along with Ornelas and maybe a late signing to handle LF and CF. I think Marsee would benefit from at least a half season of AA success.

Seeing as how the Padres have a starter at every position in the infield, along with quality backups, Merrill and Pauley will have to actually earn their way onto the roster. That's a plus.

Quote from fenn68 on February 7, 2024, 1:03 am

Might want to keep an eye out for the use of Merrill and Pauley in LF this spring … even if just in some of the outings. That may be the clue that the Padres may be considering a position shift given they are the best offensive options near term and LF is a clear hole while the INF is covered.

Quote from JasonE135 on February 7, 2024, 11:38 am

Quote from fenn68 on February 7, 2024, 1:03 am

Might want to keep an eye out for the use of Merrill and Pauley in LF this spring … even if just in some of the outings. That may be the clue that the Padres may be considering a position shift given they are the best offensive options near term and LF is a clear hole while the INF is covered.

Agreed. Considering that LF might be the easiest position to play, it seems that it is destined to go to whichever minor league bat breaks out the best or most quickly, despite position. LF and DH, both needed, are both very easy to fill defensively. It's CF that is going to be the problem.

Personally I would like to see the Padres splurge on someone like Michael A. Taylor to lock down CF for $10-$12 million per year. Leave LF and DH as a free-for-all that needs to be earned by the best bats. That would put all of Johnson, Mitchell, Perez jr., Mercado, Merrill, Pauley and Marsee on relatively equal footing.

Quote from BoosterSD on February 7, 2024, 12:07 pm

If we are going to pop around $12M for an OF bat, I would prefer Rosario. He provides some LHH pop. Not only do we need someone to patrol both LF and CF, we also need to replace some of the offense from Soto last season.

I believe that IF Merrill is not destined for SS as proposed by Fenn, then I have read that he is definitely athletic enough to handle CF.

Rosario would replace some of the offense from Soto, and he can not be that much less defensively than Soto. And then all Merrill has to do is replace the offense from Grisham in CF, and he should be able to do that.

Quote from fenn68 on February 7, 2024, 12:38 pm

There has been a fair amount of speculation that Preller is focusing on trade options over FA signings.

No idea of the options Preller really has available … or what he really projects in Merrill, Marsee, or Pauley for the beginning of the season (as opposed to mid-season after 1/2 season of minor league ball). IF he sees any (all) of the three ready mid-season (or 2025) … and combine that with whatever money he has to deploy … he may just want to go low on adds for the start of 2024 (basically throwaways for 2025).

Seems as though that Taylor (and the remaining better FA options) are pushing for multi-year deals (and maybe waiting until Bellinger signs) to become the best remaining and in greater demand. Could be really setting up an overpay scenario. (Side on Taylor … yes the defense but a very inconsistent offense … and really not good with a high K% … Preller may not care about the offense and go for a low cost defensive oriented CF to avoid a big commitment).

I also am willing to consider that the Padres actually have less to spend (for whatever set of reasons) than we may think (want). Even though they are under the CBT (by about $21MM) they may have internal issues that maybe limits (at this point) the money to spend to substantially less.

It is not unreasonable to think the Padres do not want to start the season with any of Merrill, Marsee, and Pauley in the line-up (and given their AA time … not illogical) … limited payroll … three voids to fill (maybe fourth if an upgrade over one of Batten, Rosario, Azocar) … wanting throwaways for 2025 … then going less than $5MM on each of 3 or 4 filler pieces to bridge to the prospects and fill those voids at least with ML experienced players.

 

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 7, 2024, 1:29 pm

I wonder how much Duval is looking to get?

I'd rather have him than Taylor.

Duval hits the same vs. RH and LH so it's not like having another RH is a problem.

Can play a decent CF also...had 21 HR's last year in just over 300 AB's.

We need that offense IMO

Quote from WindsorUK on February 7, 2024, 2:56 pm

No word yet on a Profar signing?

That has to be the biggest no brainer, right? And maybe even Cooper?

Those 2 signings solve a multitude of problems- DH, 1B, LF

Quote from fenn68 on February 7, 2024, 5:17 pm

I am beginning to get hung up on the idea the Padres have less to spend than we think … or at least do not want to commit to any one bigger contract (and not for multiple years).

To that end, would not be surprised if Preller has multiple offers out … low ball in the players’ (agents’) minds … and they are just not ready to accept until they play out other (potentially more lucrative) offers. Since the remaining group of FA are not all that compelling and clearly not long term solutions … Preller may just not care who eventually signs as filler until the prospects are ready or a trade comes down before they agree.

Note that the three FA signings so far (Matsui, Go, Peralta) are all under $5MM AAV each and the three trade adds above minimum (King, Higashioka, De Los Santos) are also all under $5MM … actually under $3MM each.

Filling those last slots may be a slow exercise going well into ST … maybe to the end of ST … maybe after the season starts. Waiver claims? Players released who could be then added at minimum? Bargain trades as other teams need to set the 26 man and have an out of option player they want to move? Filler bodies keep that in mind.