Quote from fenn68 on February 25, 2026, 9:04 pm

Quote from Randy Manese on February 25, 2026, 5:55 pm

One of the off-season acquisitions that was mentioned frequently was Blake Hunt, who supposedly was to challenge Campusano for the back-up catching job.  However, after several games into ST, not seen him in a game - we've seen Fermin (of course), Duran, Salas and even Vilar but no Hunt.

Is Hunt hurt or is he no longer in their plans, even at the AAA level?   Thought he had a legitimate chance, at least to start the season at EP, and then possibly brought up if Campy fails.  Still a long way to go in ST.

never know who is nicked up for the first 6 games. Did note that one of the few NRI still waiting his turn is Buehler ... even when others are getting one inning appearances and now some on their second.

Quote from Randy Manese on February 26, 2026, 9:08 am

Seeing Reginald Preciado at 3b for the Cubs a couple of days ago reminded me of the Padres trade with the Cubs back in December 2020 to get Yu and Caratini.  Padres Mission News had a good article on this trade and how all the pieces the Cubs acquired did very little for them in the 5 years since the trade.  Caissie did help them acquire Cabrera from the Marlins but Zach Davies did nothing, Mena and Santana were released, and this is probably the last year of a very poor 6 years in the organization for Preciado.

One thing the article did not mention was what happened with Caratini, who performed well for the Padres.  He was traded for INF/OF Korry Howell (who was frequently injured and had a lot of tools but never put it together) and c Brett Sullivan.  Sullivan was traded last year to re-acquire Bryce Johnson who did amazingly well last year at the plate and in the field and is in competition for that last bench spot in 2026 and probably still the frontrunner.

So, like it or not, Preller's trades for veterans, while involving highly thought of prospects at the time, almost always have favored the Padres getting more value than they give up.  I know we were fleeced on the Clevinger trade (although Clevinger did very well until injured and we literally had no healthy bodies in our 2020 rotation at the time) and gave up way too much to get Austin Nola and a bunch of RPs from Seattle, but that was the COVID year and it looked like we had a legitimate shot until the realities of the Dodger rotation blew it all up.  FYI, we still have Waldron from that trade while Cleveland still has utility man Gabriel Arias and Joey Cantillo, who may make the rotation this year.

Quote from Randy Manese on February 26, 2026, 10:56 am

Tatis batting second today, which is where I'd like to see him hit.  He'd have a chance to see what the pitcher has with the 1st batter and has Machado as protection behind him.  As the #2 hitter, should have more chances to do damage, just like Ohtani.

By the way, Gillaspie looked very good yesterday and might be another realistic depth piece to the rotation.

Quote from fenn68 on February 26, 2026, 12:24 pm

Quote from Randy Manese on February 26, 2026, 10:56 am

Tatis batting second today, which is where I'd like to see him hit.  He'd have a chance to see what the pitcher has with the 1st batter and has Machado as protection behind him.  As the #2 hitter, should have more chances to do damage, just like Ohtani.

By the way, Gillaspie looked very good yesterday and might be another realistic depth piece to the rotation.

Did hear the Padres were considering stretching him out and did use him a bit as a SP in EP last year. Still, a long long shot as a non-roster arm who at 28 has been primarily a RP with less than dominate success.

Maybe they continue that experiment in EP but there may be a lot of competing arms for starting roles there once the ML staff is sorted.

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 26, 2026, 1:45 pm

Quote from Randy Manese on February 26, 2026, 10:56 am

Tatis batting second today, which is where I'd like to see him hit.  He'd have a chance to see what the pitcher has with the 1st batter and has Machado as protection behind him.  As the #2 hitter, should have more chances to do damage, just like Ohtani.

By the way, Gillaspie looked very good yesterday and might be another realistic depth piece to the rotation.

I prefer Tatis in the 3 hole myself.

A few less AB's but hopefully a bunch more RBI opportunities.

Bogaerts leading off I think will give him a different mindset.He's not a 30 HR power guy anymore.Let him just concentrate on getting on base.

Merrill next followed by Nando & Manny.

Just my opinion

Bogaerts-Metrrill-Tatis-Machado-Laureano-Castellanos-Sheets-Andujar-Crone-Fermin

 

 

Quote from BoosterSD on February 27, 2026, 5:41 am

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 26, 2026, 1:45 pm

I prefer Tatis in the 3 hole myself.

A few less AB's but hopefully a bunch more RBI opportunities.

Bogaerts leading off I think will give him a different mindset.He's not a 30 HR power guy anymore.Let him just concentrate on getting on base.

Merrill next followed by Nando & Manny.

Just my opinion

Bogaerts-Metrrill-Tatis-Machado-Laureano-Castellanos-Sheets-Andujar-Crone-Fermin

Seems a little RH heavy through the middle, I would move Sheets up and place him behind Machado. Move Andujar up, Laureano and Castellanos down, and Crone up a bit, just to balance the L/R a bit more.

Bogaerts, Merrill, Tatis, Machado, Sheets, Andujar, Laureano, Crone, Castellanos, Fermin

Quote from fenn68 on February 27, 2026, 6:49 am

Think the league may object to a 10 player batting order?

I could see 1 - -4 stable then some movement depending on LHP or RHP in slots 5 - 8 with Fermin siting at a #9. I am good with a Bogaerts - Merrill - Tatis - Machado front end.

I do think the Padres have to be a bit flexible at this stage ... not being sure what they will get out of Sheets and Castellanos primarily and also Andujar and Song.

Some caution on how to deploy based on:

Sheets: coming off his best season ... his first season with an above 100 wRC+ but note that his 2nd half was below 100 at 98. Although he hit at 89 wRC+ vs LHP in 2025 that was by far his best ever. Can we rely on Sheets delivering at his 1st half?

Castellanos: coming off a poor 2025 with a 90 wRC+ and only an 87 vs LHP. He has had his wRC+ drop in each of the recent seasons. His 3 year is 101 ... basically an average hitter with zero value in the field who effectively creates a logjam at DH for "regular" who apparently the Padres want to see get "rest" in a rotating DH strategy. How much does an average hitter get valued as potentially part time player who is a defensive liability?

Both likely have inside tracks for the opening day ... but for how long after? Alternatives for 1B/DH?

France: recently a somewhat below average hitter and prior to last season a marginal defensive option. In the mix sure ... but more on the others failing.

Andujar: probably the strongest case to be in the mix ... over 100 wRC+ in each of the past 3 seasons (overall 113) BUT seems to have an issue playing a full season. He does mash LHP (a Padre need). Plus may be the better (not good just better) fielding option if needed in a corner OF or 3B.

Song: just an unknown. If he can hit he provides a LHH option for DH/1B plus allows for INF regulars to rotate to DH. If he can't, Padres have a problem backing up the middle INF.

All that could make for an unexpected line-up structure depending on who succeeds and who fails ... hopefully a few do succeed otherwise the other 7 have to carry a lot.

Sheets / Song a LHH platoon and a Castellanos / Andujar RHH platoon for 1B/DH? If 75% of SP are RHH ... and considering the rotations into DH ... not a lot of AB Castellanos / Andujar.

Still a LOT of TBD on this group ... and will the overall roster be better with an  "average" offensive more versatile player than one of these one dimensional options. At this point, can't see Preller finding a better (reliable) option for 1B ... so ST ... Apr - May ... may see some juggling here.

Quote from fenn68 on February 27, 2026, 6:02 pm

There is some thinking that Matsui, Canning, Waldron will all start the season on the 15 day IL ... and Adam could go one way or the other.

Takes some pressure off Preller / Stammen in making the final call on some of the arms on the bubble (more looks at the start of the regular season) ... and maybe allows some more time for Preller to work a deal or two as other teams have issues with their pitcher depth.

Quote from Randy Manese on February 28, 2026, 8:09 am

From what I've seen this spring, my opening day line-up against lefty Skubal would be:

Bogaerts-Tatis-Machado-Merrill-Andujar-Sheets-Laureano-Cronenworth-Fermin with Andujar at DH and Sheets at 1b.  On the bench, we have Castellanos, Campusano, Song and either Bryce Johnson or Samad Taylor.

We'll probably see 2 or 3 LHPs in the opening two series, so Castellanos will get an opportunity to prove he has something left.  France, Miranda and Taylor all are ready to jump in and take his place.

Of course, Preller is still working his magic and is quite possible a new name or even two could be inserted into this line-up, although I still think he is concentrating on SP.