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Spring Training 2024
#31 · February 22, 2024, 12:52 pm
Brutal 1st inning. It happens.
Jeremiah Estrada looked really sharp. Claimed off waivers last November from the Cubs. Too early to put much stock into a player, but I liked that opening salvo!
#32 · February 22, 2024, 12:56 pm
I remember Eno Sarris really liked the Jeremiah Estrada pick up. He said he had a great fastball. After an inning like that you can see the appeal.
#33 · February 22, 2024, 1:00 pm
All in with the Padres going with the prospects … in 2025. Think the prospects (Merrill,, Pauley, Marsee, and Martorella) all have the upside of the ML and the Padres have a need to have league minimum types to stay in the payroll limits given the big long term contracts. Not only for 2024 but for the next 4-5 years.
However, I worry that 2024 (to start the season) is way too soon for all four who have limited time in AA and most scouting reports suggest they need more development time. I agree that pushing them up too soon may do more to hurt their development … and maybe lead to regression. Plus using them “part-time” or “platoon” does not benefit their development.
Also add that except for Marsee, the others are INF … and no openings in the INF … so playing would be position shifts to cover the OF holes and that does not sit well either.
Padres have to make an early call … if they wait too long all the “fringe” player alternatives to the prospects will be gone the if the prospects prove not to be ready … even a bigger problem.
Looking at those scenarios … I would “plan” for the prospects to start 2024 in the minors (at their forecasted future positions) and move on some “ML quality” fringe players to start 2024. Be flexible for mid-season call-ups if appropriate.
Side: I know they are working out Merrill in the OF … but the need to make a back room call on the future of Kim with the Padres. If they send him down and if they don’t think they will extend Kim … he needs to play SS primarily …. Maybe some OF if a mid-season emergency backfill is needed.
#34 · February 23, 2024, 9:48 am
Quote from Jeremy Hill on February 22, 2024, 12:56 pmI remember Eno Sarris really liked the Jeremiah Estrada pick up. He said he had a great fastball. After an inning like that you can see the appeal.
Reading more about him, he's quite intriguing. Came in way under my radar in November, which isn't surprising given how disenchanted I was. Looks like a perfect candidate for Niebla to refine into a gem.
#35 · February 23, 2024, 10:55 am
Estrada always had a high K rate but it was negated by a high BB rate. Hopefully, Niebla can help his command. Has 2 options left, so a chance he gets to develop - even at El Paso (yikes!) since already 25 years old.
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sportwarrior
#36 · February 24, 2024, 5:36 pm
Kai Murphy (son of Pat Murphy), gets a double in todays game against his dads team.
And of course, chalk up another kid that I called games for hear in AZ with Kai Murphy being around the Valley and playing ball since he was about 10 years old.
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MrPadre19
#37 · February 25, 2024, 7:25 pm
Garret Cooper signed to a minor league deal by the Cubs.
Man, I thought we'd have taken him up on terms like that. I suppose his right handed bat nailed that coffin shut.
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#38 · February 26, 2024, 3:52 am
More than the Padres not being in on Cooper … surprised that no ML team was willing to sign him to a ML contract. Maybe the profile of a 33 year old 1B/DH who hits LHP (but not so much RHP) just is not in demand. Sure does not fit a predominately RHH Padres.
Have not seen what the Cubs will pay Cooper IF he makes the 26 man … maybe that is a factor if the Padres are focused on some other players to add (or their payroll limit is lower than we think) … maybe a bit of both.
Padres have been linked to a bid for Kiki Hernandez (RHH) as one of the four bidders. Getting the feeling that … at this point … the Padres are looking for more versatile players, Hernández is that super utility type (even more so than Profar). Padres may want to hedge with the INF set (baring injury) for the season but a current unknown on LF/CF/DH (prospects are all LHH) plus unknown of positions that will get impacted with injuries … add a ML veteran that can be dropped in anywhere may be the priority.
Would not be surprised if Preller has offers out to a number of remaining FA (or still working trades) that may exhaust the payroll space … just those players or trade partners are not yet comfortable with the offer or any other teams’ offer.
Wonder if the lighter than expected deal for Bellinger (much shorter with opt outs) triggers the other hitters (player / agent) to step back from their demands and we begin to see some action on Rosario, Duvall, Taylor, Belt, Pham, et al. That is a lot of veteran ML hitters with what appears to be a very small set of teams in the market … Preller may not really care who may fall to the Padres just get a price that fits the Padres. Would not be surprised to see some of these options to go off the board this week.
#39 · February 27, 2024, 6:11 am
LF appears to be Merrills' job to lose
