Quote from fenn68 on July 4, 2023, 10:18 am

Quote from Jeremy Hill on July 4, 2023, 9:13 am

Here's an idea I've been thinking about. What if they trade for a reliever now? They could use them until the deadline. If they get going and make up some ground they can hold onto them. If not they could flip them to someone else. It could be a fairly low risk way to help the team try to turn it around in the run up to the deadline.

My problem is determining what the Padres have to trade to get a legit upgrade at any position from any current seller while outbidding all the other potential buyers. Actually the parallel issue is actually finding a player who is available that is actually an upgrade ... not just different.

If it comes to RP ... been a strength until recently ... they have Suarez and Wilson likely returning right after the All-Star break, Cosgrove has returned and is effective, and Hader is clearly well rested recently. Those four filling out the back end of the games are likely as good (or better) than anyone they might buy. Good chance if they can give Hill and Martinez some rest they may return to their early season form.

They might have better luck in landing a rental hitter ... preferably a LHH to supplant Carpenter / Odor as the LH DH. A pretty low bar for an upgrade and nothing on the roster or in AAA that is clearly upgrade material.

Down to the basics ... who can they add and for what price?

Quote from fenn68 on July 4, 2023, 10:35 am

Three lines of attack as a buyer:

1. get a useful "rental" for a minimal cost of a mid tier prospect(s)
2. get a major add with multi year control for some major prospects as they did with Soto.
3. get a major add of a ML ready prospect and maybe gamble a bit more on the long term upside

#1 is the likely scenario and easiest to execute but probably not a major difference maker.

#2 is more consistent with the longer term vision of winning in 2023-24 and beyond. So who, from the expected sellers, fits that model for a Padre need for now and the longer term: SP (losing a few after the season while the prospects are years away); C (with hitting skills with Salas years away); 1B/DH (someone who can hit); ....

#3 is really tough since the sellers probably really prize the upcoming prospects unless they too are a contender and want a ML piece from the Padres to win now ... can the Padres give up a key to the Padres contending in 2023 to get someone who maybe helps in 2023 but has a future?

Quote from Jeremy Hill on July 4, 2023, 11:49 am

The way things stand if they buy I hope it's more along the lines of going after a controllable change of scenery or bounce back candidate. Maybe they can go after someone like Tyler O'Neill or Dylan Carlson from the Cardinals without giving up premium prospects.

Quote from Stergios on July 5, 2023, 8:06 am

Quote from Jeremy Hill on July 4, 2023, 9:13 am

Here's an idea I've been thinking about. What if they trade for a reliever now? They could use them until the deadline. If they get going and make up some ground they can hold onto them. If not they could flip them to someone else. It could be a fairly low risk way to help the team try to turn it around in the run up to the deadline.

Damn, that’s an interesting idea.

Quote from fenn68 on July 5, 2023, 11:17 am

Just a exercise in Padres options and how one decision may open up another.

Merrill has to be the top trade chip in the Padres' minors and could be the piece that gets a high quality ML player under control for multiple years (maybe not at the Soto level but still impact). We know Preller is willing to trade top prospect for someone he wants.

Now consider Kim (only controlled through 2024) and still young at 27 ... and by most stats one of the best defensive players in MLB (if not the best). Merrill has been considered his replacement as early as 2025 ... not other legit options near term. Kim has developed as a hitter so he adds value beyond defense.

The cornerstone question is whether the Padres would try to extend Kim and at what cost ... will Kim (and his agent) agree or wait until FA? Can't trade Kim in 2023 or 2024 without a quality replacement in the line-up (Cronenworth could always go back to 2B but then need the 1B added).

Not likely but an extension for Kim during the All-Star break (see Cronenworth's extension) COULD free up Merrill as trade bait NOW. On the other hand, if they don't see themselves re-signing Soto after 2024 (and not winning the Ohtani sweepstakes this winter) ... Merrill may morph into the LF of the future given little in the system ready for 2025.

A lot of assumptions to make ... but if winning in 2023-24 is a priority ... Merrill may be in play for the right return piece.

Quote from Stergios on July 5, 2023, 1:08 pm

You mention Merrill in LF, but CF or RF could be options if we manage to resign Soto.

Quote from BoosterSD on July 5, 2023, 1:46 pm

I agree with Stergios, that we should look to Merrill, if he stays in the SD system, sliding to CF. With his athleticism should be an easy move, and LFers are much easier to find versus CF.

I personally would keep Tatis in RF, he is looking soooo good out there. And traditional ML baseball logic is your strongest arm in RF.

And when it comes to Kim, and I have said this in the past, I really think our defensive line up really should be the following. Now I know it would be hard for this to take place this season, but for 2024 I would work towards Machado at 3B, Kim at SS, Crone at 2B, and Bogaerts at 1B/DH depending a on move you could do for a real 1B like Olson or Freeman.

In all honesty, defensive ability at SS on this team really ranks this way IMHO, Kim, Tatis, Machado, Bogaerts, Crone. Bogaerts may rank before Crone, but its probably close.

So, yes I would look into extending Kim, and moving Bogaerts to 1B/DH to start the 2024 season. And then move Merrill to CF and get him ready to bat 2nd in the ML line up and play CF in 2025.

Quote from BoosterSD on July 5, 2023, 1:51 pm

So I this train of thought leads me to the thought, that the best thing SD could do for the balance of this season, is finding more of a true 1B. The production for SD at 1B has been dismal. Yes, Crone is having a bad year at the plate, except yesterday was really nice. However, it would probably best serve SD to move Bogaerts to DH, making that spot more productive, slide Kim and Crone back to SS and 2B, and get more of a true 1B.

Not sure who is available for a reasonable price, but seems to me that there should be someone. Depending on health, maybe a CJ Cron, Adam Duvall, ?????

Quote from MrPadre19 on July 5, 2023, 2:01 pm

I agree with this.

If we don't keep Kim past 24' I'd like to see Merrill at SS with Xander at 1b and Crone back where he belongs.....2b.

The good news is no matter how we approach the next 3-4 years the infield is pretty much taken care of.

In the near term adding a good hitting 1b makes sense...but in the long run(as Xander/Machado age) the infield is fine for 5+ years.

Add pitching or OF with any $ available (after FA's leave) or trades after this season.