Quote from fenn68 on August 1, 2022, 7:32 pm

Quote from BoosterSD on August 1, 2022, 6:46 pm

Quote from fenn68 on August 1, 2022, 6:39 pm

Just a rumor / speculation from some pundits (2 different) … they are now handicapping SD in third place behind STL and LAD (each had one of the two).

Apparently the separator is that both STL and LAD are willing to include young ML talent valued more than anything SD is (or would) offer.

If getting some young controllable ML talent over all prospects … not much Preller can do to offset that.

MLBTR is saying the LAD are trying to get Pablo Lopez from MIA. Apparently they would want the same type of prospects that WAS would want for Soto. Hopefully they go that direction leaving it between SD and STL for Soto.

Everyone likes Lopez but he is nowhere worth close to Soto. Both have 2+ years control and Lopez has a lot lower salary (not a concern for LAD) BUT Lopez is a mid-3 ERA type (very good but not great) and has already pitched more innings than any year in the ML. Soto is the premier hitter in MLB.

Probably both their 2022 salaries tell the tale … Lopez $2.5MM / Soto $17.1 MM. So Soto is 6X more valuable than Lopez … give or take … in their 4th ML season.

MIA can ask … LAD will only negotiate if they fail on Soto … and for a fraction of the Soto package.

Quote from JasonE135 on August 1, 2022, 7:36 pm

Quote from BoosterSD on August 1, 2022, 6:46 pm

Quote from fenn68 on August 1, 2022, 6:39 pm

Just a rumor / speculation from some pundits (2 different) … they are now handicapping SD in third place behind STL and LAD (each had one of the two).

Apparently the separator is that both STL and LAD are willing to include young ML talent valued more than anything SD is (or would) offer.

If getting some young controllable ML talent over all prospects … not much Preller can do to offset that.

MLBTR is saying the LAD are trying to get Pablo Lopez from MIA. Apparently they would want the same type of prospects that WAS would want for Soto. Hopefully they go that direction leaving it between SD and STL for Soto.

Over the last 12 hours I have seen multiple reports that the Padres, Cardinals, Dodgers and even the Giants are in the lead for Soto. I don't think anyone but Rizzo know who is actually in the lead. Just like last year: report comes out that the Padres are leading for Scherzer and at the last minute LA increases their offer. Now the Nationals are starting rumors to get everyone to throw more prospects on the pile.

Quote from fenn68 on August 2, 2022, 3:57 am

Last day … less than 12 hours to go until the deadline. Padres aside … will be see how the GMs play in the trade market …

Off the top of my head … only two major “rentals” still available … Bell (1B/DH) and Contreras (C).  Not sure there are that may teams really motivated to move on either … yes good … some would take them … but really that motivated to give up anything valuable (apparently not at the NATS/CUBS ask). At the point the pressure is probably more on the sellers than the buyers. Price to acquire may be surprising low and still the buyers may not be there.

Actually not sure the major “non-rental” options that keep getting tossed around by the media / fans … are going to be moved (and that includes Soto). The number of buyers may be not all that motivated to pay high given their current positioning and need and the sellers may opt for seeking deals in the winter with more buyers in play.

Probably a flurry of fringe plays for depth for the contenders … but maybe nothing earth shaking.

Quote from fenn68 on August 2, 2022, 4:16 am

In the NL … battling for the Wild Card is really down to SD (46 losses), PHIL (47 losses), and STL (48 losses) … SF seems to have faded out of contention. Only 2 of the 3 will make the playoffs and that is a pretty tight shot group with every loss being critical down the stretch. All 3 should be motivated for making adds.

Putting STL/SD quest for Soto aside, what other moves make sense in this market?

SD filled a major weakness by adding Hader who should preserve a number of wins over what Rogers (or anyone else) would have … big plus. Still need a bat and OF is thin … Happ? Laureano? Under the assumption that Reynolds / Soto are not in play from the sellers.

STL added a needed SP … more a mid-bottom of rotation guy but an upgrade given their situation in the rotation and should garner them a few more wins … a plus. Not sure what other real needs exist for STL maybe stay pat ex-Soto.

PHIL … ???? Have they done anything? Need pitching but not much left on the market … a minus

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Given that landscape … are any of the three motivated to “overpay” for another add (move on an add but only at their price) or do they see themselves well positioned to win the Wild Card slots. Not sure any move (ex-Soto) remaining really propels the to a much stronger position vs the NYM/LAD/ATL in a playoff match-up.

Quote from fenn68 on August 2, 2022, 4:22 am

In the AL the Wild Card race is more interesting … and may create more buyers and fewer sellers shifting the market away form the 3 NL teams.

49 losses ties Seattle (in 3rd slot) with Cleveland (first out), then

51 losses for BALT and CWS

52 losses for BOS

All have a legit shot with a win streak …

Quote from Henry Silvestre on August 2, 2022, 5:10 am

Couple of observations... Nola caught last night???

YU pitches morning game...hmmmm is Alfaro catching YU?? Has he at all, ever?..is a C already in SD (Contreras was in SF on Sunday) and a deal been made pending a final push for Soto to determine what specs are available for Cubs to pick from?

Is Bell a fall back deal for Padres with Hosmer moving to Cubs or Red Sox?

Who scheduled a double header on deadline date?... imagine trades going down at 2:30pm.. Nola/Myers/Hosmer and CJ all get pulled at 2pm in the middle of inning #3.. how the F do you deal with that.. can you get reinforcements in during the game?? Or in town by Night game? Traded for players based on time of trade and geography might not arrive to SD til Wednesday...

I guess I would have Castillo/Scott/Kerr and Wethers in SD from the P side... maybe Rosario/Azocar/Rooker/Kowhley from the hitting side or a combination of these 2 groups on stand by at the Hotel

Quote from Henry Silvestre on August 2, 2022, 5:24 am

One last thing

With clear upgrades needed at RF and CF is Tatis best for the team in RF with Kim at SS?

If so does Laureano/Reynolds or a mystery shocking move for Mullins or Hays make more sense (vs Happ) .. obviously if Soto then Tatis CF .. defensively could be a bit of a downgrade (why RF if no Soto would be preferrable)..

We do need at least +1 Bat besides Tatis to be "serious" contenders

Quote from fenn68 on August 2, 2022, 5:42 am

Quote from Henry Silvestre on August 2, 2022, 5:24 am

One last thing

With clear upgrades needed at RF and CF is Tatis best for the team in RF with Kim at SS?

If so does Laureano/Reynolds or a mystery shocking move for Mullins or Hays make more sense (vs Happ) .. obviously if Soto then Tatis CF .. defensively could be a bit of a downgrade (why RF if no Soto would be preferrable)..

We do need at least +1 Bat besides Tatis to be "serious" contenders

More sense from the Padres view … have real doubts about making sense for the sellers point of view is there … baring a vast over pay.

Almost no sense for Wild Card contending BALT … sell on a long control / low cost asset for prospects that may not even make it to the productivity of the incumbents. PITT is not motivated either … more buyers in the winter will keep Reynolds return high (maybe even higher).

Laureano is interesting since no rumors have ever suggested he is in the Padres’ crosshairs … Melvin clearly knows him … is that an issue?

Happ is at least clearly available and with time runnings short … he may be the only realistic option.

Quote from fenn68 on August 2, 2022, 5:51 am

Yeh, would think the Padres have a cadre of EP players in town this AM to cover all contingencies … especially with a double header today.

May not be pitchers IF Preller does not have any of the current active roster on the menu of potential trade chips.

Sort of depends who Preller has from the active roster on his potential trade chips list … vs minor leaguer trade chips.