Quote from fenn68 on July 9, 2020, 1:02 pm

Saw a note from Preller saying that once the "inter-squad games" turn into "INTER-SQUAD GAMES" and are played more like real in season games ... the media will have more access to viewing those encounters. We should start getting some better reporting on who looks good (or not) and where everyone is lining up.

I have heard that some teams are actually televising some of their inter-squad games ... as you can guess the NYY (and the YES network) are in the forefront. Have not heard anything about the Padres doing the same. Some additional expense vs. some positive PR giving entertainment to the more dedicated fans.

 

Quote from Ben Davey on July 10, 2020, 1:03 am

Considering FSSD has shown the same 10 games over the last month, I am pretty sure they would LOVE to be able to show anything.  Considering the bar is Kevin Acee sitting at the Park at the Park with binoculars, anything is better.

Unless you are going after Puig I dont see the point in going after another OF.  Pham, Grisham, and Myers will be starting 95% of the games with Naylor or Franchy rotating in and/or the DH.  I like Olivares but outside of a defensive replacement/PR I am not sure where/when he plays.  Considering they got Mateo for essentially that role, dont see Olivares with San Diego unless injuries/COVID happen.

Quote from Brian Connelly on July 10, 2020, 9:25 am

Yeah, if Torrens' option IS used at some point this season (likely, but not near as 'certain' as a 'normal' season), just the fact that both he & Mejia are: cheap, controllable, little can be told about their (and Campusano's) 2020 "development" in 60 games of mostly not starting, AND they can't be sent to Minors; could almost force a trade of Hedges.

Have felt last few years Hedges best fit would be on a big budget offensive powerhouse AL (i.e. DH) team like NYY or Houston where the extreme value he adds on defense isn't being "lost" as much on the offense side (i.e. don't "need" his offense to help team win), and that team doesn't blink at his 3 - 5 MM/yr salary.  Hedges screams the backup who would supplant the starting C in the playoffs.

In 2020 with DH & +Pham, the Padres are a lot closer to that description.  Could be even more so in 2021.  Interesting to see how it will play out, but it's a good problem to have.  That Rule 5 selection of Torrens sure looks good now!

Quote from fenn68 on July 10, 2020, 10:12 am

Yeh, NYY are a fit but also see LAA, COLO, TEX ... teams with some offense and catching that can’t hit or field. Hedges at least would shore up one of the two deficiencies for their catching.

Lack of offense, shrinking control, and growing contract cost seems to make a clear path to Hedges departure. Hard to read the front office but I would be frustrated with Hedges ... who should know his offense is a problem ... not making the adjustments to cut down that HR / pull swing to more a contact profile plus there was a recent report that just before reporting to camp Hedges (caught on cell phone) out at a party without a face mask. A guy that seems to be on his own agenda.

Campusano (and even Hunt) are the long run options ... and good ones. We understand Mejia’s defensive issues (not sure how much the Padres are willing to tolerate) ... so the key is Torrens in the short run. Padres seem to like his defense (and that was his profile when taken in Rule 5) ... so maybe not major drop off from Hedges in 2021. Offense, Hedges has not set a high bar, so hard to see Torrens as worse ... plus Torrens hit well in AA last year. Net/Net maybe Torrens is a good alternative to Hedges in 2021.

 

Quote from Randy Manese on July 10, 2020, 11:30 am

The 2018 Hedges was valuable to the team, the 2019 Hedges was not - a big hole in the offense that had a lot of holes.  If he can get anywhere near .235 again, he's my #1 because of the defensive skills/play-calling/framing he does.  Otherwise, invest that 3 million+ salary elsewhere - hopefully, we can get a decent lower level prospect for him from some team that needs him to upgrade their pitching staff with his defensive metrics.  I like Torrens' overall game and Campy has a lot of offensive upside projected.   Unless Realmuto becomes available, don't see many others worth a short-term major investment given we have to carry Hosmer and Myers' salary for a couple of more years.

 

 

Quote from Brian Connelly on July 10, 2020, 12:43 pm

Defiintely need a new "2021" &/or "$" thread/s, but quite simply if next year is old NL rules (no DH), Hedges is gone.  Can't tolerate the offensive black hole in an NL lineup.

If AL rules, he has more value both to Pads & (more) other teams.  May increase his "trade value" a little, but that market is still going to be pretty limited.  Not many teams particularly next year will have the $$ to carry a guy like Hedges when you can so easily replace his "offense" for league minimum.   Conceivable Pads are forced into a Non-Tender where they get nothing for him & a team is able to sign him < his 2020 Arb salary in (for players) terrible FA market in 2021.

Quote from fenn68 on July 10, 2020, 2:13 pm

Most seem to think the non-tenders across MLB will be greater than ever ... teams will just want to shed contracts for marginal players.

I am pretty sure teams will be trying very hard to make a deal before that date .... but a lot of thought that trades of marginal players that come with contract costs will be hard to execute when every team is a) focused on shedding payroll and b) knowing the FA pool will be deep with some low cost options. Going to be bad to be a marginal player next winter to get a contract that matches 2020 ... actually for many just get a job with teams going for league minimum internal options.

I would put Hedges - Garcia - Perdomo at high risk given remaining control - contract level - productivity - internal alternatives.

Quote from Ben Davey on July 11, 2020, 9:48 am

Perdomo works as a long man, GB specialist but will his cost outweigh his worth given the surplus of above average starter/swingmen the Padres already have.  He had a 0.7 WAR which is worth a lot more than his 970k contract this year.  If he can put up similar numbers he could be due for a raise (even up to like 2 mil) and good chance Padres non-tender him if they cant find a team willing to give up a low level prospect for him.

After this season I think it is a done deal that Greg Garcia wont be back.  He's not expensive but the Padres should have other options with Cro and by next year possibly Arias.  Especially since GG cant play SS

I am struggling to find a reason why Hedges would be on the team next year.  If he hits decently well, Preller can trade him for a prospect, if he doesnt, if Torrens can perform reasonably well this year, Hedges becomes a release candidate.

Every year its not the greatest for fringe candidates, this year I think it will be bad across the board.  Cant imagine another 300 mil contract.  How much will Mookie Betts, Anthony Rizzo, and George Springer make?  It wouldnt surprise me too much if Betts signs another one year deal and hope things get back to normal after next year.

Quote from fenn68 on July 11, 2020, 10:53 am

Going to be hard for not only the fringe players getting non-tendered and the FA market .... but even the mid and upper tier FA probably should be prepared to not get those multi-year deals ... and probably not near the dollars they were dreaming about. No matter how wealthy some franchises are ... no one wants to lose money or have a drain on cash and there are three issues pushing against going out this winter and adding payroll:

1. want to make up for some to the lost 2020 cash from only a 60 game season and no fans;
2. not sure (during the winter) if fans will be back in 2021 or restricted to a % of capacity ... lower revenues
3. need to establish a reserve for a potential 2022 lockout / strike on the new CBA
4. add the "unknown" about the rules in the new CBA and how they may impact either longer term contracts or pay structure

Unless a team is really well financed and not as concerned about cash flow (and probably a 2021 contender) .... not sure going to see most teams even wanting to play in the FA market. If only a couple of teams do play ... they will know that and do a lot of low bidding (that probably also applies to the trade market).

If that is the team approach, players may just take the low deal on a one year basis hoping the post CBA settlement world is more liberal.

I guess would not be unrealistic to see a lot of club options declined .... saves money and unless a team is in contention with that player a key at a reasonable cost  ... not much real need if not a contender and not much of a trade market in 2021. Plus with a large FA market ... could get equivalent production potentially for a lot less.

2021 the year of the rookie?