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Since four consecutive winning seasons to begin the Petco Park era, including a pair of division championships, the Padres have had a losing record in eight of the last nine years—they won 90 games in 2010, but fell short of the playoffs after a late-season collapse—while playing very few meaningful games in a beautiful ballpark. Are there any reasons to believe that good times are ahead for this organization?
Guaranteed Contracts
- None
Arbitration Eligible Players (service time in parentheses; projections via MLB Trade Rumors)
- Tyson Ross, SP (5.126) – $9.6MM
- Alexi Amarista, IF/OF (5.040) – $1.6MM
- Derek Norris, C (4.102) – $4.0MM
- Hector Sanchez, C (4.018) – $900K
- Carter Capps, RP (4.007) – $1.0MM
- Brett Wallace, 1B (4.003) -$1.3MM
- Wil Myers, 1B (3.104) – $4.7MM
- Brad Hand, RP (3.092) – $1.4MM
- Brandon Maurer, RP (3.089) – $1.7MM
- Christian Friedrich, RP (3.046) – $2.0MM
- Oswaldo Arcia, OF (3.020) – $1.4MM
- Yangervis Solarte, 3B (3.000) – $2.7MM
- Non-tender candidates: Amarista, Arcia, Sanchez, Wallace
Other Financial Commitments
- James Shields, SP: Owed $22MM through 2018 (traded in 2016)
- Matt Kemp, OF: Owed est. $7.5MM through 2019 (traded in 2016)
- Melvin Upton Jr., OF: Owed $11.45MM in 2017 (traded in 2016)
- Jedd Gyorko, 2B: Owed $7.5MM through 2019 (traded during 2015-16 offseason)
- Hector Olivera, OF: Owed $28.5MM through 2020 (released in 2016)
Free Agents
San Diego Padres Depth Chart; San Diego Padres Payroll Information
General manager A.J. Preller has spent the past year digging his team out of the hole that resulted from the Padres’ premature “win-now” approach during his first offseason on the job, while also overseeing the rebuild of a team that has had very little success drafting, signing or acquiring young talent over the past couple of decades. He was also suspended 30 days by Major League Baseball for failure to disclose player medical information in trade discussions.
The results of Preller’s rebuild, thus far, are promising. While the Padres are still paying a lot of money to several players who are no longer with the team, they have also shed the payroll of any long-term commitments and opened roster spots for younger players. Carlos Asuaje and Manuel Margot, both acquired from the Red Sox in last offseason’s Craig Kimbrel trade, should make an impact at the Major League level in 2017. The same goes for a handful of players who were picked up off the scrap heap and given an audition in 2016, including Ryan Buchter, Christian Friedrich, Brad Hand, Luis Sardinas and Ryan Schimpf.
As for how the medical information scandal affects the team during the upcoming offseason, we can only speculate. It might have very little impact, if any at all. The trades that Preller absolutely had to make, for purposes of the rebuild, have already been made. He no longer has to sell a fellow general manager on why they should take on a high-priced player no longer in the prime of his career while giving up something of value in return. In addition, the urgency to finalize a trade is much lower in the offseason than during the season, particularly one close to the trade deadline. Medical records can be reviewed more thoroughly, and teams can utilize their own medical staff to assess the players involved.
One player that Preller could have a hard time moving is catcher Derek Norris, who is expected to lose his starting job to defensive standout Austin Hedges, who also raked in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League this year. Norris finished with a slash line of .186/.255/.328, which is probably the biggest reason why Preller was unable to trade him during the season. Carrying Norris as the backup catcher is still a possibility with Christian Bethancourt potentially taking on a hybrid catcher/outfielder/relief pitcher role. However, a backup catcher making $4MM per season isn’t ideal for any small-market club, even one with a payroll as open as the Padres, and there is probably enough of a market for Preller to find a match in trade talks.
Moving Norris could prove to be a challenge, but Preller should field plenty of calls from general managers interested in the team’s plethora of talented position players with multiple years of club control. Between Asuaje (2B/3B), Alex Dickerson (LF/1B), Travis Jankowski (CF/LF), Margot (CF), Wil Myers (1B/LF/RF), Hunter Renfroe (RF/LF), Schimpf (2B/3B), Yangervis Solarte (3B/2B/1B) and Cory Spangenberg (2B/3B), the Padres have nine players to fill six starting jobs (1B, 2B, 3B, CF, LF, RF).
Manager Andy Green has stated that only Myers, an NL All-Star and Gold Glove finalist in his first full season as a first baseman, and Solarte (.808 OPS in 109 games) are guaranteed lineup spots next season. While they currently form the core of the Padres’ lineup, both players would likely be in high demand if the Padres were to shop them. With three years of club control remaining for each player, the price tag would be high. On a team that appears to be at least another year or two away from contending, it wouldn’t be a surprise if any players who aren’t guaranteed to be around past 2019 are dealt.
Re-signing free agent Jon Jay, who the team has expressed interest in bringing back, would further increase the chances that one of the outfielders, most likely Dickerson or Jankowski, will be traded. However, a solid season by the 31-year-old, despite missing more than two months with a fractured forearm, should ensure that he’ll find an opportunity on a team who can give him a better shot at regular playing time.
If there is to be a new face in the Padres’ lineup in 2017, it could be at shortstop. At the least, the 23-year-old Sardinas has put himself into the mix with a strong showing—.287/.353/.417 in 120 plate appearances—after he was acquired from the Mariners last August for cash considerations. While his struggles in the big leagues during previous stints with the Rangers, Brewers and Mariners led to his stock dropping significantly since he was a highly-touted prospect a few years ago, the Padres’ sense of urgency to find a short-term and long-term answer at the position has likely decreased.
Signing Erick Aybar to a one-year deal or trading for Zack Cozart or Danny Espinosa—both are under contract for one more season—would be decent stop-gap options if the Padres aren’t sold on Sardinas. It’s also possible that the A’s would entertain offers for Marcus Semien, who hit 27 homers in 2016 and isn’t eligible for free agency until after the 2020 season, with top prospect Franklin Barreto closing in on the majors. Rangers’ infielder Jurickson Profar, with whom Preller is very familiar from his Rangers days, could be another trade target who would fill the position for 2017 and beyond. The asking price on either of those players figures to be sizable, though. Bringing back free agent utilityman Adam Rosales, who enjoyed a breakout season (.814 OPS, 13 HR in 248 plate appearances) at age 33, would give the team additional coverage at shortstop, as well as a platoon option versus left-handed pitching.
While the Padres’ offense appears to be headed in the right direction, the starting rotation is full of question marks. Staff ace Tyson Ross recently underwent thoracic outlet syndrome surgery after making only one start in 2016 due to shoulder pain. The Padres are hoping he’ll be ready to go by the start of Spring Training. Even if he can return to health, there are no certainties to fill any of the remaining spots. A healthy Ross, who is eligible for free agency after the 2017 season, would likely become one of the top trade targets for contending teams if the Padres were to fall out of playoff contention.
Luis Perdomo, a Rule 5 pick who went from bullpen mop-up duty to the team’s best starter in the second half, should be penciled into a rotation spot. While opposing hitters had trouble against the heavy sinker that he relied on almost exclusively, he’ll likely need to utilize his secondary pitches a bit more often in year two. Christian Friedrich and Paul Clemens each showed, on occasion, why they were once considered very good prospects. They also showed why, in their late 20s, they’ve failed to establish themselves as effective big league pitchers. Still, both likely did enough to remain on the 40-man roster throughout the offseason and will get a chance to compete for spots next spring.
Jarred Cosart and Colin Rea, if he can avoid Tommy John surgery, will also compete for rotation spots, as will Cesar Vargas, who was very good in five of his seven early-season starts before being shut down with a strained flexor tendon. Michael Kelly, Dinelson Lamet and Walter Lockett, three prospects who began the season in the low minors and rose to Triple-A by season’s end, should also be in the mix.
The bullpen is in much better shape than the rotation, thanks to Brandon Maurer, who settled into the closer’s role nicely after Fernando Rodney was traded (3.09 ERA, .572 opponent’s OPS, 13 saves in last 32 appearances) and talented lefties Buchter (2.86 ERA, 11.1 K/9, 20 holds) and Hand (2.92 ERA, 11.2 K/9, 21 holds). There’s a chance that Hand could move to the rotation—2016 was his first season working exclusively as a reliever—but Maurer’s failed attempt last spring, followed by a very shaky early-season performance once he returned to the bullpen, could have an affect on that decision.
A return to health from Carter Capps, who was acquired from the Marlins in the Andrew Cashner trade, could boost this group to an elite level. Prior to an elbow injury late in the 2015 season that eventually required Tommy John surgery last March, the 26-year-old right-hander had begun to establish himself as one of the most dominant relief pitchers in the game (1.16 ERA, 2.0 BB/9, 16.8 K/9 in 30 appearances). He’s expected to return early in the 2017 season, if not by Opening Day, and could push Maurer for the closer’s job at some point.
Phil Maton, a 20th-round draftee in 2015, is rising quickly through the system and could find himself in the Padres’ bullpen sometime in 2017. In 38 appearances between Low-A, High-A and Triple-A, the right-hander posted a 1.74 ERA with 1.9 BB/9 and 13.6 K/9. He’s also been quite effective in the Arizona Fall League, allowing only one run on four hits with no walks and eight strikeouts over seven innings.
As is the case with many teams, starting pitching will be the Padres’ top priority this offseason. It’s a safe bet, however, that they won’t be in the bidding for top free agent starters Rich Hill, Jeremy Hellickson or Ivan Nova. Instead, they’ll probably look to add at least two starting pitchers from a long list of free agents with diminished value or via the trade market, utilizing their position player depth as trade chips.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if one of Edwin Jackson or Clayton Richard returned. At times, Jackson looked like the pitcher that the Cubs signed for $52MM before the 2013 season. Other times, he resembled the pitcher they released with a year-and-a-half remaining on the deal. Richard, one of the team’s most reliable starting pitchers several years ago before injuries derailed his career, was particularly impressive with a 2.41 ERA in nine starts after the Padres picked him up late in the season. While Petco Park is not nearly as pitcher-friendly as it was during his first stint with the team, the 33-year-old lefty appears very comfortable there.
San Diego has always been a preferred choice for pitchers looking to rebuild value, although the weather and the opportunity to pitch at the top of the rotation are the Padres’ strongest selling points these days. The return of 2007 Cy Young award winner Jake Peavy would make sense, as would the signing of Jorge De La Rosa, an NL West veteran with a career 3.22 ERA at Petco Park. Both are former staff aces and, despite disappointing seasons, finished the year in good health and could be anxious to prove that they still have something left in the tank in their mid-30s.
The Padres could take a step forward in 2017 with Margot, Myers and Renfroe leading the offense and Capps, Maurer and Buchter closing the door on opponents late in the game. How much of a step forward will depend on their yet-to-be-determined starting rotation.
Well it seems to me that they need to go out and sign Ginny Baker because then they will start winning.
Padres have a bright future. Starting pitching looks like a huge question mark though. I’m more excited now as a Padres than I ever have been. I love Petco and the city of San Diego. I will forever be a Padres fan.
So I wonder what they will do with second base next year. Asuaje, Spangenberg, and Schimpf all are candidates. Amarista doesn’t have a spot anymore.
I like the idea of signing Jay, having a starting OF of Jay, Renfroe, and Margot. Trade Jankowski and/or Dickerson for a starting pitcher of any kind.
Hedges, Myers, Solarte, Margot, Renfroe looks like an extremely bright future for them. Schimpf was pretty bad with a -5.9UZR as a defender though, but at the same time I don’t know where else he could play with him. So happy that Chase Headley contract never happened with past regime. Solarte is very underrated as a hitter.
Solarte is a dreadful defender too, and not too young himself. I think the Padres should unload him while his value is at its highest.
-0.4UZR isn’t dreadful, but yeah defense isn’t his best attribute, pretty sure that’s his speed. Dude can’t run.
Who starts at 3rd then? The team has more life and energy with him there. If we can get a couple real prospects maybe but I think he has more value to the Padres than any other team.
Yeah. Solarte might be the slowest non -catcher/non-bartolo player in baseball. He is SLOW.
Schimpf or Spangenberg. Spang doesn’t look like much of a player but he was a first-rounder and the Pads may as well see what they have.
Cory Spangenberg isn’t bad but has been injury prone. In just over 400 ABs has a triple slash of .269/.327/.402 with 14 SB and has played average 2B (UZR .6 and 2 DRS). Overall he is at 2.1 WAR according to Fangraphs in less than a season of playing time.
He actualy isn’t that fast either. There’s a reason they call him “Slowarte.” Dude can hit tho and he plays the game the right way.
Eh, I dunno. Most orgs have a collection of minor league talent of about that level. And there are no pitchers in that group. I think several of those guys will make their mark in the bigs with another team, because right now the Pads desperately need to make a deal or two for a starting pitcher.
Why would we sign Jay? Do we really need more old guys stealing at-bats from Renfroe, Margot, jankowski and Dickerson?
yeah I agree that a Jay signing doesn’t make much sense. As a giants fan watching the padres the end of the season this year, the new guys got it going on. If the rotation can put something together there might be some hope in petco.
Dickerson isn’t young.
I could see Rosales getting a shot somewhere else for more money than Padres would be willing to offer, although he was a lot of fun to watch in San Diego.
Just for comparison before people say he was terrible.
Adam Rosales had a 2.0WAR 114wRC+
Adam Jones had a 1.4WAR 96wRC+
Andrew McCutchen had a 0.7WAR 106wRC+
76 mil owed for players not in team is pathetic.
Glad they’re gone though and Padres aren’t stuck with entire contract
They’ll be the Cinderella team of 2017 and win the World Series. It’s going to be glorious.
Let’s not jump to conclusions too fast.
What’s the slow way of jumping to a conclusion?
Wow, quite the rough outlook, Paying more for players who aren’t on the team as opposed to the major league roster. Peavy or De La Rosa make sense, but their best days are very far behind them, they are 5th starters at this point.
Peavy will boost ticket and jersey sales. Financially speaking, he’s worth it. Plus if he performs and Padres are sellers, that’s an arm they can trade to a contender looking to shore up the back of its rotation.
Wow based on past payrolls, a 1/3rd of next years payroll will be paid to players not on the team, 20% in ’18 10% in ’19…. Preller is such a joke.
Ownership pushed to make a splash two years ago. So we got stuck with upton and kemps contract. If we had them, where would Jankowski, Margot, and Renfroe play?
Teams don’t win over night. It’s a struggle. But not having those two on our team and giving playing time to the youngsters is what is needed.
Seems more like Preller nailed his interview telling his bosses what they wanted to hear ignoring reality. People do it all the time and I call them jokes. Its sad that in essence fans are paying 1/3 of their seat for the wrong players. I’m not a Padres fan just noticing what a joke Preller is as a GM. What a mess that team is in. They wont see the play offs this decade.
It is the price they pay for having non baseball people (Fowler/Dee) trying to fill the seats. An expensive lesson but hopefully they learned it. Peter and Tom Seidler have taken a much more active role since the ASB. Fowler should be gone after the 2017 season. AJ reports direct to Peter Seidler and has his firm support.
It was a mistake but they are no longer saddled with Shields, Kemp, or Upton. After all it’s just money and the ownership got as much back as possible. Most people were shocked they got any salary relief for Shields and Kemp.
But if I buy a car and it’s a lemon and I take it back to the dealer and get half my money back is that really a positive? Padres traded one of the better catchers in baseball and a reasonably decent pitching prospect for one of the worst players in the game, then bought Shields for way too much money and traded him for nothing while also sending a bunch of money to the White Sox. That’s not good management.
I am glad we traded Shields even for little in return. He was dreadful before the trade and even worse afterwards. Half the return, Tatis Jr. looked good albeit far away this season.
Grandals nothing special
Yeah, a three-win catcher is nothing special. Jeez. Have you ever watched Derrick Norris?
Shields had a 3.06 ERA in 2016 before his last start as a Padre. How is that dreadful?
Shields had a worse FIP than ERA. His K rate was down to 7.62/9 innings while his walk rate was still at 3.6/9. He did have some bad luck with his record but overall still ended his tenure with a 4.28 ERA and .272 batting average against. So maybe not quite as dreadful as I recalled looking at the stat sheet.
He was pitching really well in 2016 until his last start as a Padre
Grandal was top 5 in the game this year. Nothing special?
dumb
Yeah they learned from their mistakes and now they are doing things the right way with a proper rebuild. It’s going to take time, but at least they putting a plan in place.
I would settle for a build since the last two years has been the closest this franchise has seen to acquiring talent at all levels in the last two decades.
I hope we can swing a deal for pitching with Schimpf/Norris/Amarista. Just someone to trot out every fifth day. I think Dickerson should take Wallace spot as PH off the bench. Renfroe, Jankowski, and Jay in the OF. Let Margot develop in AAA for a little longer.
Nah there’s no room for Jay on this team
Any chance Tyson Ross is non tendered?
Not really, he is inexpensive if he can regain anywhere close to his former form. If teams are considering keeping Garcia, Bucholtz, and Holland then keeping Ross is a no brainer.
The history of pitchers who have had TOS is, well, to put it bluntly, not good at all. It’s not something guys come back from successfully. If the Pads can get anything for Ross they should. I doubt he has much of a career left.
There really haven’t been very many pitchers that have been diagnosed with TOS. I don’t know if we can start saying someone’s career is over with such a small sample size. Chris Young came back strong from it, Chris Carpenter retired. It definitely is a serious injury and risky to treat but is too rare to make determinations about a player’s future.
Young had a decent season after the surgery but posted one of the worst pitcher seasons imaginable in 2016. Harrison and Lowry never recovered. Garcia is a mess. Carpenter and Beckett retired. We’ll see with Harvey and Hughes and Hochevar. Clayton Richard came back as a sub-par reliever. Ross was injury prone before this. I love the guy but don’t think much of his chances at coming back. I hope I’m wrong.
Matt Harrison actually pitched better after TOS treatment in 2009 including an All Star appearance in 2012. He retired because of back injuries. Clayton Richard actually had a good end of the season with the Padres sporting a 2.52 ERA in 9 starts.
They’ll keep Ross at the beginning of the season to see what he’s got post-surgery. Hopefully if he can put up some decent numbers they can trade him for something before problems start arising.
And looking at what two months of Cashner got us at the deadline, if Ross can return to health he might be a nice little trade chip this summer.
Totally agree. Wonder if Mariners are in it at deadline if they’d go for a Luiz Gohara centered package with another prospect like a Gareth Morgan or Brayan Hernandez. That of course only if Ross performs.
Not sure I feel as optimistic as many here…the young guys look closer to good than great to me. 84 wins is the sort of season these guys could be capable of….but not 95 wins. A lot more pitching and upgrades at a couple of positions are needed for sustained success.
84 wins? No, this is easily a 100 loss team. They have no starting pitching, no real middle infielders and no outfielders. That’s a pretty bad recipe.
Haha haaaaahhhhhaaaaaha
They have an outfield. Margot, Renfroe, Janikowski, and Dickerson. They also have Shrimpf and Spangenberg at 2B they just don’t have an established SS
They will have one hell of a bullpen if they can pull it together, they just have a wavier wire Rotation Tyson Ross
“No outfielders”
Hunter Renfroe, Travis Jankowski, Manuel Margot and Alex Dickerson would all like to have a word with you outside…
“no outfielders”
Hunter Renfroe, Alex Dickerson, Travis Jankowski and Manuel Margot would all like to have a word with you outside…
Might wanna let them prove themselves at the major league level before thinking they constitute an outfield…
And we will let them prove themselves. Unless Preller re-signs Jay…
Jankowski is a fourth outfielder. Dickerson is a nice hitter but he’s old and more of a pinch-hitter type. Margot might be a superstar. Might be. Renfroe is going to hit 30 homers with a 296 OBP – basically Matt Kemp. I don’t love the outfield outside of Margot. If Dickerson wasn’t 27 I’d feel better about him. As far as the infield, Spang is a banjo hitter. Solarte can’t run or field but has some hitting skill. Schimpf had a fun season but he’s pushing 30. None of these guys can play shortstop.
Jankowski had a .332 obp (.350 until early Sept), exceptional speed and defense, and is a perfect leadoff man. Far from a 4th OF. Renfroe plays plus defense while Kemp was the worst defensive RF in baseball. So if he hits the same as Kemp, that is a huge improvement for us. I for one would be ecstatic if he did. If he hit 20 home runs and hit .250/.300 I would be extremely happy. All Dickerson does is hit and he hit for power too. He will probably be a bench guy/LF, but he will be part of the team without a doubt. Margot will probably head back to AAA as the odd man out. I liked what I saw in his few games here, but not enough that I would sit Jank. Even if we don’t resign Jay, the outfield is one of our few areas of strength and depth.
Schimpf can’t play defense, but he had a phenomenal year at the plate. Not many guys have ever hit 20 hr in 276 AB and his .336 OBP was 2nd on the team. He will still be 28 on opening day and 2B is his job to lose. Spangy may not even be able to play 2B with his injuries. I don’t think we can count on him. Asuaje might be a better choice as the utility guy for 2B and 3B anyway. Solarte was not bad on defense, about league average, he just wasn’t great. He can obviously hit and he is a sparkplug type of player. Sardinas can play SS and is only 23. The question is can he hit. If he repeats what he did with us next season, then SS is filled.
The problem with Jankowski is that his skill set is the same as Margot. You can’t populate your outfield with singles hitters. This is the Yankees exact problem right now. Jankowski is superfluous.
Jankowski had a .332 OBP and is one of the top defensive CF’s in the game. That doesn’t sound like a 4th OF to me. Dickerson is only 26, not that old. And I’m a bit more optimistic about Renfroe’s OBP than you are but even if he is the exact same hitter that Matt Kemp was he’ll still be valuable because unlike Kemp, he will be at least league average defensively and will be making the league minimum for a while. Idk what a “banjo hitter” is and it might be worth it to see if Schimpf can continue to do what he did in 2016.
Having both Jankowski and Margot in the outfield is fine as long as both are playing GG caliber defense and adding value to the running game which should be no problem. As long as they get on base at a decent clip we should be scoring runs, Myers should be around 25-30 HR and the same for Renfroe plus Solarte should be close to 20 assuming he is healthy. That is a pretty decent 1-5, probably better production than the past few seasons.
I think 84 wins is being pretty generous. They still have a lot of work to do before they can be a legitimate contender. I imagine next year they’ll be fighting for another top draft pick.
Now hopefully idiots will stop pushing the narrative that no one is going to want to trade with Preller
I agree that very few GMs would hurt their own team’s chances at winning because they don’t want to deal with Preller.
Jorge Soler and a prospect for Carter Capps and Tyson Ross.
Considering Ross is free agent after 2017 and Soler has controllable years, as a Padres fan, I wouldn’t be opposed if a trade like that happened. To be honest I’m surprised Padres managed to get Capps, even considering injury. The Padres would probably have to throw another prospect in if they wanted to get a decent prospect in return.
I could see trading Ross but only after he has shown he is healthy. If we were to trade him I propose for SP not OF. We have some depth and top prospects in the OF but most pitchers look 2 years away from contributing.
ha?
In a worst case scenario, they can stick Bethancourt out on the mound if they’re that desperate for another body in the rotation.
Watching him pitch was glorious. It would be unique to see such a hybrid player achieve even some success as a RP/C/OF. I imagine the first that will have the best results would be Shohei Otani whenever he gets posted, and if he is still doing both by then.
Bethancourt is being talked about as a possible reliever, not a starter. He has shown a pretty consistent 96-97 mph 2 seam with good sink. If he can develop even a little bit of a touch on the change up in Winter ball, I see no reason not to give him a try. He can back up at catcher, play a little OF or 1B and pitch some in relief.
I think the time is right for a sentimental move like signing Peavy. With the question marks in the rotation he’s a great fit overall. He’s of course no ace anymore but he’s a well thought of veteran AND has the fan favorite thing going for him.
Would padres trade Wil Meyers for right package? What is realistic package they would consider?
I think at this point anyone is available on the Padres at the right price but the Meyers is really the only piece on the team you can build around. I would for instance be asking for Alex Reyes, Luke Weaver, Edmudo Sosa, and Paul Dejong back from the Cardinals for instance. I think that is probably unrealistically high for the Padres to receive but to trade away the closest thing to the face of the franchise that’s what I am looking at. Overall I am looking for
a top 25, top 100, and two solid prospects especially since we acquired Meyers at a high cost (Turner and Ross plus a couple other good pieces).
I would let Wallace and Arcia walk, and keep Dickerson and Amerista. Dickerson can play OF and 1st and be the 4th outfielder or bench bat and Amerista is a utility guy and they are always useful. I also think re-signing Jay to a 1 or 2 year deal to let Margot develope more is smart. They just really need to focus on dealing Norris and bringing in a cheap backup or keep Bethincort at catcher or keep Sanchez but other than that they just need to focus on their rotation and the few bullpen spots.
P.S as a Red Sox fan I want Espanoza back please
Janko is backup OF can’t hit and drive in runs. Padres should be open to trading Myers and his 170 K’s since he’s going to command big contract just about time hopefully they are ready to compete. Padres owe 80 mil to players not on roster so Myers extension is out.
Jank had a .332 OBP last year. That doesn’t sound to me like a guy who “can’t hit.”
Myers would be a touchy subject locally if traded. The casual fan (which is a larger portion of this fan base) needs to see a legitimate ML talent stay and be signed to an extension to buy in this ownership group is different from the past.
I’m on the fence but trading Myers; even for an overpay will still set the timeline for competing back further. This city wants a baby soon and doesn’t want to keep hearing about labor pains. Going into 2017 in my mind it’s as important if not more than last year with decisions regarding roster construction. A realistic goal for the 2017 would be finishing at or above .500.
Finishing over .500 shouldn’t be a goal. The goal should be for our players to make strides. Getting to over .500 would only be a good thing if you can see why the team improved and if that improvement is sustainable.
Finishing over .500 is a great goal for the team and the coaching staff, but ownership and upper management should be focusing on developing the young players on the MLB roster, properly valuing the older players to flip them for future talent, and tending to the seedlings in the developmental system. PR needs to communicate to fans that the long-term plan is the focus, and the product on the field might struggle but it’s all part of a plan to build a successful organization in a similar manner to what the Astros and Indians are reaping right now.
.500? Really? Why is that? Team is going to from 94 losses to 81 because of what often injured Tyson Ross? That’s a stretch.
I am a die hard Padres fan, but find it hard to peg them for more than 75 wins currently.. I think 2017 will be a developmental year for many players and seeing what else they have.
They need to develop some more pitching at the MLB level to get anywhere. Position players currently look pretty good though.
I agree. This season is going to be another rebuilding/development season, and I think they’ll be hard pressed to finish with a .500 or better record. But that’s okay as long as it gives the young talent opportunities to keep improving.