Forum
Forum Navigation
Spring Training 2024
#71 · March 7, 2024, 3:29 am
Beginning to look as though Merrill will make the team … and likely in CF. He is looking fine in ST … but ST is deceptive. Yet, the Padres seem to be making the full PR push to justify his ML readiness. Yeh, would prefer him in AA getting some more reps for development but not looking as that will happens.
To that end he does add another LHH and, if my earlier contention that Miller may emerge as the DH to start the season … Padres have filled two of the open slots with LHH making the remaining slot open for a lot of options.
OF of Profar (#) - Merrill (L) - Tatis … with 4th OF Azocar. Miller DH … Batten INF bench. That could easily justify optioning Marsee for more seasoning while working in CF if Merrill does not work out as a CF. Remaining a LOT of options to fill out the 26 man with filler pieces until Marsee or Pauley are ready for call-up:
Locastro, Mercado, Mitchell (L), Wade (L), and maybe Sullivan (L) … any one could provide decent bench filler (all with different pluses) while allowing Marsee, Pauley, Rosario more minor league time to develop.
If the Padres believe in the “Core 6” carrying the club and add Merrill, Miller, and Profar to START 2024 while planning (hoping) Pauley and Marsee can be effective call-ups mid-season we may already see the starting roster for 2024. No new FA signing (unless a real bargain falls in their lap) and no trades.
LynchMob has reacted to this post.
LynchMob
#72 · March 7, 2024, 7:02 am
Merrill just looks ready.
His offensive numbers aren't great but his at bats have been.
Hasn't looked over matched and has played good defense.
The fact he was in the major league Camp last year also bodes well for him IMO.
I still believe AJ signs one of Duval,Taylor,Pham but also that Merrill makes the team and starts in LF or CF.
LynchMob has reacted to this post.
LynchMob
#73 · March 7, 2024, 9:14 am
Quote from MrPadre19 on March 7, 2024, 7:02 amMerrill just looks ready.
His offensive numbers aren't great but his at bats have been.
Hasn't looked over matched and has played good defense.
The fact he was in the major league Camp last year also bodes well for him IMO.
I still believe AJ signs one of Duval,Taylor,Pham but also that Merrill makes the team and starts in LF or CF.
Three weeks until opening day for 28 teams … not sure when Duvall, Pham, and Taylor “panic” and take what is offered as opposed to holding out for an ask that no team seems to want to offer. We saw Rosario crack and took a minor league deal well below pre-winter expectations.
On one hand, not sure there are that many teams interested in them … even at a reduced price preferring their current rosters (at a lower price). Maybe an injury or some ugly ST by the presumed starter might inspire some team to make a move on them but as of now barely reports of even “interest” let alone negotiations. I don’t care how good they are perceived to be in 2024 (or at least what they believe) … their market is set by 30 teams and if they are not buying … player is unemployed.
Don’t know about Duvall’s approach but Pham has historically been very money focused and has gotten negative if he presumes he got slighted on pay, so he may be one of the last to come down. Expect Taylor to be difficult since he is comping to Bader and Kiermaier who got north of $10MM plus being younger was asking for two years (not going to get near that). Possible they just continue to hold until the season starts … maybe then sign for what is offered … but for now “hope” something happens on teams that will boost their desirability.
One might land in the Padres lap but don’t think Preller is aggressively going after any of them … maybe understanding that no one else is either and if he really does not care who falls to him he can wait it out into the season to get the best deal.
For the record I am in camp Duvall (LF/CF defense being the deciding factor) … Taylor historically can’t hit and think the set-up of Merrill - Azocar - Marsee can handle CF well enough … Pham just don’t like to watch.
#74 · March 7, 2024, 9:40 am
Quote from fenn68 on March 7, 2024, 9:14 amFor the record I am in camp Duvall (LF/CF defense being the deciding factor) … Taylor historically can’t hit and think the set-up of Merrill - Azocar - Marsee can handle CF well enough … Pham just don’t like to watch.
And even though he has limited experience there and its been a few years, Duvall has played some 1B, so he could offer SD a RH bat on days against a tough LHSP.
#75 · March 7, 2024, 10:13 am
I would rather have Merrill, Marsee and Pauley and youthful enthusiasm instead of Pham who only cares about the name on the back instead of the name on the front…screw that jack wagon
#76 · March 7, 2024, 11:15 am
Padres leave for Korea in about a week and will have two exhibition games vs Korean teams prior to the opener vs the LAD.
Padres can take 31 players to Korea BUT do have to get down to the 26 man roster for the game vs. the Dodgers. I guess the 5 player “taxi squad” gives some insurance in case of injury in Korea … would be hard to get a replacement from the states.
So, at least one catcher (Sullivan) then a couple of pitchers and a couple of position players. Think insurance in the moment … over development.
That timing will push the Padres to make the call on the out of option players over a week earlier than other teams. Not ideal. Plus if they put some on waivers … maybe easier for a team to claim them before that team sets its 26 man. Will the Padres make even a sooner call if those players are not the ones you want to take to Korea as part of the 31?
The Peoria facility is completely shut down today … players have the day off. So could be Preller, Shildt, and the staff are using today to make the final calls on the 31 to Korea and we see some player moves sooner than later.
#77 · March 7, 2024, 11:40 am
Quote from fenn68 on March 7, 2024, 11:15 amThe Peoria facility is completely shut down today … players have the day off. So could be Preller, Shildt, and the staff are using today to make the final calls on the 31 to Korea and we see some player moves sooner than later.
This works out good as we are getting thunderstorms today through the afternoon.
No golf for the boys today.
#78 · March 8, 2024, 1:09 pm
Votto signs a minor league deal with TOR … $2MM if makes ML plus $2MM incentives. Contract similar to Rosario’s. Not that I wanted the Padres to sign Votto but these two “bargain” deals coupled with the time to the beginning of the season … might help the Padres get a workable deal with one of Duvall, Pham, Belt, or Taylor as they too really drop their demands.
Possible they could land two with the right combo lowering demands. Lower base with incentives seems to be the negotiation model now … but keep in mind that the Padres want to be under the CBT AT THE END of the season and that will include any incentives earned. So a little caution needs to be exercised.
Padres may have an advantage … without apparently a lot of other teams in the mix … may have the clearest path of the player to get the playing time to earn those incentives vs being part-time / bench on another team.
Duvall and Belt … each with a $4MM base and a $4MM incentive package? If they both max incentives commit $16MM (fits CBT) and likely would signal they had a productive 2024.
#79 · March 8, 2024, 1:38 pm
They just released tonights lineup, and I'm guessing this could be the lineup for Opening Day as well.
Bogaerts - 2B, Crone - 1B, Tatis - RF, Machado - DH, Kim - SS, Campusano - C, Profar - LF, Pauley - 3B, Merrill - CF.
Agree or disagree?
#80 · March 8, 2024, 2:37 pm
I still see Tatis at 1, Bogaerts 2, Crone( and his left handed bat in between the 5 right handed bats) at 3