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#41 · March 22, 2022, 3:12 pm
Padres are playing a lot of the non-roster (non-prospect) position players early … and only the 5th game. Actually today, both Profar and Kim made some solid contact.
I was pleased with Suarez even if his stat line was not impressive. Looks to have decent velocity and movement but what look promising was that he had good command and kept the ball down. Plus he clearly was not afraid to pitch inside on the hands. Struck out the last two once he settled in.
#42 · March 22, 2022, 3:24 pm
Well, Merrill and Hassell but singled. Merrill getting thrown out trying to take 2nd on a throw home cost a run, though.
#43 · March 23, 2022, 9:42 am
With the exception of the pitcher, it looks like we are getting the potential opening day line up today in the game vs. the Angels.
#44 · March 23, 2022, 10:22 am
Trying not to get too excited or worried about spring training and just hoping no one gets severely injured or needs TJ surgery during these games, which has been the calling card recently. Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see how this line-up operates with Cronenworth back and Voit settling in.
With regard to whether this may be the opening day line up, I'm guessing that if it is a LHP (Gilbert or Bumgarner) we'll be facing on opening day, might see Alfaro but likely won't see Mazara, if he makes the team. More likely Profar in LF and possibly Nola at C. If a RHP (Kelly, Weaver or Gallen) could be Caratini, if still on the team and if Darvish pitches, and possibly Mazara over Profar, although Profar has looked much better recently.
From what I've seen so far in spring training, Liberato has gotten better results at the plate but Mazara does look more poised. I'm not sure we're done with our OF hunt yet, so guessing the OF situation is still fluid and likely one of the 3 catchers (Caratini, Alfaro or Nola) will not be with the team come opening day. Campusano looks to go to AAA if not traded.
More interested in how Gore fares, particularly versus Adell, who looks to finally be breaking out.
#45 · March 23, 2022, 11:23 am
As always, I'm looking forward to the game today. Particularly, though, I'm excited to see Gore get a second go and to watch our close-to-final lineup take some swings. It's nice to see Croney back in there, too.
#46 · March 23, 2022, 11:33 am
2 weeks to go … so a lot of time for the hitters to settle in although should be seeing a lot more of them going forward and less of the non-roster types.
I do think one of Caratini or Alfaro doesn’t make the roster and expect Voit to DH virtually full time. If Profar in in LF … leaves three bench slots for the INF/OF and we may be watching a few of the non-roster players battle for those slots. Don’t see Rosario or Campusano making the active roster.
OF: Thompson and Mazara (L) have ML experience and likely the inside track but I like Azocar as the wild card … but also think an acquisition will happen.
INF: Hinosoja has the glove for SS/2B and just has to be insurance for a couple of months. Melvin implied that Abrams is up only if it is as a starter and Kim has not lost the SS role yet. Probably not a deal for an INF with Tatis returning and Abrams clearly a near term factor.
#47 · March 23, 2022, 11:43 am
Add me to the Gore watch today. An impressive Gore may not win the #5 slot out of ST but might make it “easier” to deal a SP in a package to get that illusive OF.
Weathers and Paddack … low cost and long control … in a league that needs SP could have some real trade value (maybe as part of a package).
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Side: Have we had any reports on Nick Martinez actually pitching in ST? He is most likely the #5 SP (possibly long RP / #6 SP). He is on a decent contract so not being released … can’t be optioned … and as I understand an obscure rule can’t be traded until after June 15 without his permission (and still pay part of this contract) … so he is on the active roster. Note the no trade applies to all the FA signings to ML deals.
#48 · March 23, 2022, 11:51 am
Quote from fenn68 on March 23, 2022, 11:43 amAdd me to the Gore watch today. An impressive Gore may not win the #5 slot out of ST but might make it “easier” to deal a SP in a package to get that illusive OF.
Weathers and Paddack … low cost and long control … in a league that needs SP could have some real trade value (maybe as part of a package).
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Side: Have we had any reports on Nick Martinez actually pitching in ST? He is most likely the #5 SP (possibly long RP / #6 SP). He is on a decent contract so not being released … can’t be optioned … and as I understand an obscure rule can’t be traded until after June 15 without his permission (and still pay part of this contract) … so he is on the active roster. Note the no trade applies to all the FA signings to ML deals.
I don't think I've seen anything outside of his first bullpen sessions and simulated innings. He may be a few days behind everyone else after taking a bit longer than expected to finalize his paperwork?
#49 · March 23, 2022, 11:58 am
The surviving catchers should be an interesting decision.
1. Nola … most likely the #1 … the best hitter and apparently viewed as the best defensive of the group. However, if Nola was needed in a package to get a major OF upgrade? 4 years control and league minimum
2. Alfaro … looking at his historical stats, he appears to be a better offensive / defensive option than Caratini … 2 years control … in arb near $3MM … Padres just dealt for him from MIA (cash or a PTNL … so not a big price). Ties with Preller from Texas.
3. Caratini … 2 years control … in arb at $2MM … Darvish’s catcher (although Melvin is planning move off that 1:1 relationship) … reports are that multiple teams are “interested” in him.
4. Campusano … the Top 100 prospect … 6 years of control … at league minimum … calling card is offense … weak defense … has looked poor so far in ST … so AAA or traded in a package to get that OF.
Guessing Caratini gets moved … Campusano to AAA (baring inclusion in a big deal). Could move both and gamble on Rivas as the insurance in AAA.
#50 · March 23, 2022, 12:15 pm
Given the Padres’ situation with an excess of arms (many out of options) and a shortage of position players, the April active roster could be surprising.
MLB has move the roster to 28 for April and no limit on the number of pitchers. Then on May 1 the roster returns to 26 and a 13 pitcher limit.
With the concern for pitchers not being fully ready to go full steam on opening day and the need to build loads during April … that creates the need for more arms to cover innings … could the Padres go “short” bench and “very long” pen?
Starting 9 plus only a back-up catcher plus an INF and OF reserve … 12 position players. Then go with 16 pitchers. Gives the needed ramp-up time and actually give more opportunity to evaluate the options. If there is a position player need in Apr … still can sign a non-roster from AAA and drop a RP (which would have been done anyway at the end of ST).