Quote from BoosterSD on July 5, 2023, 3:14 pm

Quote from sportwarrior on July 5, 2023, 2:54 pm

I've said this before, but I'd be looking at:

• RPs, perhaps swapping Garcia in a "change of scenery" type move
• A vet bench / DH piece
• Perhaps a decent corner OF, allowing us to slide Tatis over to CF
• As always, SP depth

Not all of these moves are possible at once, but if we can go 3-1 the rest of the half and start hot out of the gate, we'll be in a prime position to tweak the roster in a positive way without feeling the pinch of our shallow farm system depth.

I know that Tatis has only played a couple of games in CF this season, so its a small sample size. But he did seem hesitate on the plays coming in on the ball, and I am not sure that I would want to move Tatis this season, just keep with Grisham at this time for the defense.

And in reality, we are not going anywhere unless the 4 main guys are all firing to get us back into the playoff race. And if/when that happens, then we can live with Grisham's hot and cold offense.

Focus on 1B/DH help and maybe a C that can actually hit.

Quote from sportwarrior on July 5, 2023, 3:50 pm

Quote from BoosterSD on July 5, 2023, 3:14 pm

Quote from sportwarrior on July 5, 2023, 2:54 pm

I've said this before, but I'd be looking at:

• RPs, perhaps swapping Garcia in a "change of scenery" type move
• A vet bench / DH piece
• Perhaps a decent corner OF, allowing us to slide Tatis over to CF
• As always, SP depth

Not all of these moves are possible at once, but if we can go 3-1 the rest of the half and start hot out of the gate, we'll be in a prime position to tweak the roster in a positive way without feeling the pinch of our shallow farm system depth.

I know that Tatis has only played a couple of games in CF this season, so its a small sample size. But he did seem hesitate on the plays coming in on the ball, and I am not sure that I would want to move Tatis this season, just keep with Grisham at this time for the defense.

And in reality, we are not going anywhere unless the 4 main guys are all firing to get us back into the playoff race. And if/when that happens, then we can live with Grisham's hot and cold offense.

Focus on 1B/DH help and maybe a C that can actually hit.

We're not getting anything more than a marginal upgrade at C, at best, which is why I left it off the list. I'm convinced the single easiest ways to upgrade our offense are by acquiring a bench/DH piece (that, yes, can easily play 1B) and by replacing Grish's bat in the corner. I am very unconcerned about Tatis acclimating to CF, too. Put him to the test long enough and he'll shape up real fast.

Also, any scenario in which we are buying obviously assumes, as a condition precedent, that the Big Four are performing.

Quote from fenn68 on July 5, 2023, 3:54 pm

I am locking Tatis into RF … he already has the gold glove quality out there with a cannon of an arm … don’t want to do a Wil Myers on him and keep shuttling him around. Agree that if Tatis, Soto, Machado, Bogaerts, Kim, Cronenworth are delivering the offense (as they should) can live with Grisham’s ups and downs for his defense … actually could say that about C.

However, my focus would be adding a hitter (RHH preferred) … probably does not make much difference as to the position (although OF may be preferred) since really a hitter who can allow others to rotate through DH as needed when he is not at DH.

Quote from fenn68 on July 5, 2023, 4:03 pm

Campusano is in the ACL (DH yesterday) and likley will get a full 20 rehab between ACL and EP before being activated at EP (maybe SD) late in July. DH for now and they have to see if he has recovered in a way that he can go out and catch on a regular schedule.

Outside chance we see Campusano added to the active roster around the trade deadline and using him as the RHH DH or allowing Sanchez be the RHH DH.

His work on rehab may have some bearing on the profile of who he adds at the deadline. Or for the pessimists … who he trades at the deadline. I know may are tired of Campusano being a perpetual prospect BUT he is still young with a calling card of being a quality hitter and has not had an extend shot in the ML. Maybe C, maybe not but don’t rule out DH/1B if that bat delivers.

Quote from MrPadre19 on July 5, 2023, 4:17 pm

[spoiler title=""][/spoiler]Was looking around the league and feel pretty certain we won’t be trading Merrill.

Just about every team already has a going star SS or has a top 3 prospect SS that’s nearly ready.

Other than our own Division….which I don’t see happening.

Who am I missing?

Quote from Jeremy Hill on July 6, 2023, 8:37 am

The only way I can really see Merrill being moved is if the team makes up a lot of ground going into the deadline and AJ decides to go for broke with another huge blockbuster that no one sees coming. The only team I can really even think of as a possibility for that would be the White Sox. Luis Robert Jr. might be at his peak value right now. If they decided to commit to a rebuild and made him available they could get a haul.

Quote from fenn68 on July 6, 2023, 9:01 am

Quote from Jeremy Hill on July 6, 2023, 8:37 am

The only way I can really see Merrill being moved is if the team makes up a lot of ground going into the deadline and AJ decides to go for broke with another huge blockbuster that no one sees coming. The only team I can really even think of as a possibility for that would be the White Sox. Luis Robert Jr. might be at his peak value right now. If they decided to commit to a rebuild and made him available they could get a haul.

Agree Merrill is very unlikely to get moved ... not because Preller would not move him but I just can't see any "star" player with long control seeming available at the trade deadline and that is what it would take.

Actually, not seeing any impact pieces in positions of need (given the current expectations of sellers) likely to be on the market. Then with the potential volume of buyers for the limited "good" players available we should see a challenge for Preller to outbid others given a comparative weaker list of prospects to deal (unless a pure "overpay").

In the end, looking like adding fringe player(s) for the bench ... maybe a "serviceable" pitcher.

Quote from fenn68 on July 6, 2023, 9:18 am

Since I can't really see many likely upgrades at the trade deadline ... I don't know if not looking at "rentals" and ... even if just a solid player ... look at useful bodies with control going beyond 2023 might yield a better value?

Consider the FA after the season: Hader; Snell; Pomeranz; Garcia; Sanchez; Odor will create some holes and not much ML ready in the system and a "light / expensive" FA market in the winter. Also expect that Lugo opts out of his player option (I do expect Padres exercise the club option on Wacha, Carpenter exercises his Player option, and Martinez exercises his Player option after the Padres decline the Club option).

With those departures (partial offset by ARB increases) ... Padres CBT payroll should drop about $25MM in 2024 and since Siedler has given no indication that he wants to drop salary in 2024 ... some opportunity to maybe take on salary for a lesser prospect package.

Quote from fenn68 on July 7, 2023, 6:29 am

Although every indication is that the Padres will not be sellers of any players they see as key pieces for 2024 (so no on Soto) … IF they are clearly out of contention the players that they don’t see as 2024 keys still could be in play … especially the FA to be.

I know many would want to go all in even if there is a minuscule mathematical chance (and there will be that). However, have to consider improving the odds for 2024 (and beyond) … especially if you believe the returning core will play to their reputations and start 2024 strong and not get into the 2023 hole.

Snell, Hader, and Lugo should deliver a good return even as rentals and IF they can orchestrate returns that set up upgrades (low cost upgrades) for positions of need while freeing up payroll space to maybe add a key FA could make 2024 much better … and that illusive championship run.

Don’t know if they can ride the razor’s edge and still try for 2023 while maybe moving one (or two) of these players … Hader may be the most expendable IF Suarez returns strong and Cosgrove continues to be effective.

? How may games out of the Wild Card (and how many teams that have to be passed) are needed for the Padres to be “sellers” in the last week of July?