The Padres have emerged as one of the more ardent trade suitors for Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto, and now Miami looks to have its eyes on one of San Diego’s young backstops. The Marlins want catching prospect Francisco Mejia included as part of the Padres’ offer for Realmuto, MLB.com’s Jon Morosi reports (Twitter link).
Mejia has already switched teams once in his brief pro career, coming to the Padres last summer as the return in the trade that sent Brad Hand and Adam Cimber to the Indians. The 23-year-old switch-hitter was a consensus top-20 prospect in the game last season, with Baseball Prospectus going as far as to rank Mejia as the sport’s fifth-best minor leaguer. He owns a career .293/.347/.452 slash line and 54 home runs over 2127 minor league plate appearances, and Mejia has also seen a bit of action at the MLB level, accumulating 76 PA with Cleveland and San Diego over the last two seasons.
Mejia saw a bit of work as a third baseman and corner outfielder in the minors, as the Tribe and Padres experimented with him at different positions given the presence of incumbent catchers (Yan Gomes, Austin Hedges) at the big league level. With Miami, however, Mejia clearly would be the Marlins’ long-term answer behind the plate as Realmuto’s replacement.
While Mejia is a logical target for the Marlins, he also stands out as something of an expendable piece for the Padres, despite his intriguing potential. Acquiring Realmuto would more than solidify their catching position, of course, particularly if the Padres were able to get Realmuto to agree to a contract extension before a trade (as Morosi mentioned in his earlier report). Mejia’s star potential at the MLB level gives him more trade value than Hedges, who has proven to be an outstanding defender with some pop in his bat, but hasn’t shown much overall hitting prowess over 921 career PA for San Diego.
Given that the Marlins are known to want a huge return for Realmuto, it’s likely that they have also asked San Diego about Fernando Tatis Jr., MacKenzie Gore and Luis Urias, though the Padres have reportedly been unwilling to move any of those top prospects. Even without those three involved, however, San Diego’s highly-touted farm system has so many interesting youngsters that the Padres could put together a tempting multi-prospect offer with Mejia as the headliner.
twinsfan368
Anyone think twins get manny?
tigersfan1320
Nope
ramonskee
No chance in hell.
hrbekrules
Haha haha, not a chance! The day the Pohlads pony up for an actual good free agent is the day the Vikings win the Super Bowl.
twinsfan368
So next year I guess??
hrbekrules
We wish, but hoping for it will only cause heartache, unfortunately I’ve seen this movie before.
dave13
Vikings? Super Bowl? Next year? Bahahaha
sufferforsnakes
What does that have to do with this article?
twinsfan368
Nothing it fun to talk about fa tho
sufferforsnakes
I’m sick of talking about Machado and Harper, and am sure I’m not alone in this feeling. Save it for the next daily article about them.
twinsfan368
Same but when it comes to twins I’m all in
Swinging Friars
there was a twins posting two stories before this
carlote
you’re not alone my friend…
Comrade Tipsy McStagger
Tribe — I was responding to someone else. Not you. Don’t worry, my comment got flagged. You got your wish.
coach him
Never say never. It’s all about the money and location. If the money would have been right in Philly he would have been signed by now. if the Padres offer a 5 year deal any over pay at 35mil a year, he’s a Padre soaking up the San Diego sun and getting fatter by the minute
lowtalker1
If San Diego was year in and out competitive, due to location they theoretically could lure any free agent
But need to win first
dugdog83
Excellent point
Ryan W
Not at all
ChiSox_Fan
Go find a Twins thread
Phanatic 2022
I would love that
Adam6710
YES! They’ll also sign Harper and Keuchel, and trade for Max Scherzer, Noah Syndegaard, and Aaron Judge! World Series here they come!
dugdog83
They won’t get Noah. Be realistic Adam.
ThatBallwasBryzzoed
They were never In on him. So no.
twinsfan368
I would want more if I were the Marlins
rickc1975
I’m sure Mejia would just be one of multiple guys ending up going to Miami. It won’t just be him
allweatherfan
Who said they only want Mejia?
dvmin98
Its obvious that more will be involved, but Mejia would likely be the best prospect being returned. Padres don’t need him if they can get JRT. They have quite a few catcing prospects coming up….Allen, Torrens (no longer a prospect), Campusano, Hunt, Hozma, etc etc
I think they’d have to pony up a pitcher like Morejon or Baez and then someone mid ranged like Lawson, or even send back Naylor. If they could include Myers, maybe add someone like Logan Allen.
Phanatic 2022
Correct on this site an article said they would not include top 5 before but still had 5 more in top 100
BravesCanada
He’d be the best prospect, yet reports are that the Braves would have to give up Albies or Acuña….something doesn’t line up
alien
same division, Braves have to overpay.. same goes for Mets, they wanted Thor and Rosario for JTR..
blackleather
Yeah, I was thinking Myers could be in that trade too. As a matter of fact, if his name pops up in trade discussion, then and only then, would I take the possibility of signing Manny, seriously. Because if they clear most of Wil’s money, they’d have more wiggle room to sign Machado.
SDHotDawg
I really don’t understand the Padres’ interest in Realmuto. We have far more pressing and immediate needs (3B, SP, SS), and catching is an organizational strength. From Day 1, it has appeared that Preller has little aptitude for building a ML roster. IMO, acquiring Realmuto would be a waste of resources.
El Kabong
I don’t see the logic behind the Padres wanting Realmuto. Even with him, they are up around 90 losses. Just keep all the young talent and stay the course. Gotta be patient when trying to build a winner. Scary to think Preller doesn’t know this and is getting an itchy trigger finger. If anything, they should trade Hedges and fill a need.
blackleather
But you’re essentially getting a middle of the order bat in JT, and a bit better defense than what Hedges gives them. I don’t think they care about which position gives then more offense, so long as they get it from SOMEBODY.
SDHotDawg
Signing Moustakas still makes more sense right now, than JTR. We have catching depth. We don’t have a third baseman. Or a shortstop. Or starting pitching.
It’s a head-scratcher.
blackleather
I have a feeling there’s a method to Preller’s madness. For all we know he may already know the pitcher he wants to trade for, with one of the catchers he has in the system. I don’t think one plus one always equals two, with him, in other words.
Pads Fans 2
Hedges’ defense is better than Realmuto’s. Realmuto is a much better hitter though. The problem is that Realmuto is too close to FA and that the package he would cost would cause a greater positive ripple effect being traded for a SS or 3B
mike 96
twin fan you have no hope with that team. I Am with a bad team, too ,who cant draft. the phillies
SDHotDawg
Just FYI, the Twins had a top ranked farm system from 2013 through 2016, and in 2014 were ranked #1 by BP and #2 by Keith Law.
Make of it what you will when using farm systems to predict future success.
pinkerton
Eh, pull the trigger. Make the plunge. Padres know they will be scary good soon and this will be a great piece to have.
ramonskee
Scary good? Where’s the pitching?
mark1623
Padres have the best farm system in baseball and most of the best prospects in that system are pitchers. Of course it remains to be seen whether they turn out as hoped but asking “where is the pitching?” just makes you look like someone who isn’t paying attention.
BlueSkyLA
True, but “where’s the pitching” is currently answered by “mostly in the minors.” The Padres could very well become competitive, but they aren’t going to be this year, so anyone they give up a lot of chips to get has to be timed to work into the opening competitive window, probably 2020 or after. Realmuto doesn’t fit into that scheme unless he is willing to play out his career in San Diego. That will require a lot of faith on his part that the Padres are really on the right track and won’t pull the plug and go back into rebuild mode. We can’t read Realmuto’s mind but you have to think he’s already had enough of that in Miami.
arc89
That be said it would be a bone head move to trade your best catching prospect away for a guy who will be gone in 2 years. Padres need to stay patient and build a team and compete when ready. Trying to compete to early and you will stumble through some mediocre years.
southbeachbully
Saying a team will be scary good basing it off of pitchers with little to know mlb experience makes you look like someone who isn’t paying attention. I get it. You have hope. Dodgers have bonafide proven guys. Big difference. Hope that 2019 is the year you graduate prospects and win 80 games. That would be a big improvement from 2018.
beersy
It has been reported that the Padres would want a window to get an extension agreed upon by Realmuto, like Gray with the Reds, before any deal would be consummated.
BlueSkyLA
Yes, we all know that already. The point is, the extension is entirely up to Realmuto. If he isn’t open to a longterm arrangement with the Padres then mostly likely they aren’t getting that player. Gray’s trade to the Reds would have fallen apart if he wasn’t willing to extend with the team on terms the Reds would accept.
Polish Hammer
Except he’s not a true catcher…
dvmin98
Its been said that the Padres are requiring a 72 hour window to work out an extension, so it wouldn’t be just 2 years.
Prospectnvstr
How many world series have the Dodgers won with that “proven” talent? Or even in the last 30 years? The same as the Padres with “most of their pitching still in the minors”.
Prospectnvstr
They could have 1 trade pkg
if he agrees to an extension a different trade scenario if he doesn’t.
Swinging Friars
sheesh. The championships argument again. You do know that only 1 team wins each year right?
So being 1 out of 3 teams expected to make it to the world series in your league isn’t dominant enough??
You’re a tough one to please
terror661
No, it’s not. Losing in the NBA Finals, Super Bowl or WS holds 0 conselation prize… Dodgers fans preached this before losing last two.
terror661
Yup
Swinging Friars
I’d much rather play and lose than never get there at all….
mrblue2
How many times have the Dodgers torn it down like the Padres have and had a rebuild? The Padres do it every few years.
Comrade Tipsy McStagger
“Mostly in the minors” doesn’t mean they have to stay with the Padres in the minors. Some team in need of a rebuilt or looking to shore up a star pitcher for other needs will be happy to trade with the padres. It shouldn’t be too much of an issue to get stellar pitching. But they have to do it at the right time.
ramonskee
Nailed it. Look at their starting 5 right now and it could be argued that they maybe have 1-2 guys who can help them in the long run. Maybe.
BlueSkyLA
If the Padres (or any team) is willing to deal longterm controllable minor league pitching for major league pitching, then they are aiming at a relatively short competitive window. This is classic small-mid market behavior, so they may do just that. San Diego’s overall strategy we don’t really know but it does seem apparent that they have the farm talent to become competitive maybe a year or so from now if enough of the prospects pan out. The question is how Realmuto would fit into their plans. Pretty obviously he doesn’t unless he’s willing to stick with them beyond the two years left on his contract.
Stig
A quarter of a billion a year payroll means you don’t have to tear down.
beknighted
Any market where guys like Heath Bell, Fernando Rodney, and Andrew Cashner can thrive need not worry too much about pitching.
Newspeaks
3 of the top 10 LHPs, 2 in the top 5. Thats just in the top 10. Theres plenty of pitching.
ChiSox_Fan
They will sign Shields again.
boltz82
Signing Shields landed them Tatis. How that trade work for you?
vpsd
I think reamulto only makes sense if they can make some other moves (ie machado)
But the pitching should sort itself out this year.
The padres pitching staff is no sure thing, but just this year they should see sp contributions from Paddack, Logan Allen, Quantrill, Strahm, Lamet, and young pitchers like Lucchesi, Lauer, Nix etc.
You can see a decent rotation coming from that, at least as good as Milwaukee this year.
They could make a deal for a rental TOR arm mid season.
Probably not a competitor in 2019 but pitching is coming
Stig
They also believe Garrett Richard and Dinelson Lamet will contribute in 2020
SDHotDawg
I wouldn’t pin my hopes on a bunch of pitching “prospects.”
Yankeepatriot
Prospects are hard to predict. I hope they do well though.
larry48
Realmuto won’t be there when Padres get to 500. That is at least 3 years from now. Lots of mistake with all the prospects they will be playing
johnrealtime
In a world where the Rays won as many games as they did this year and Oakland made the playoffs, I find it very strange how many MLB fans still say with certainty that a team will not be competitive this year. Especially a team with the best farm system in baseball like the Padres. They could very easily win the WC this year. Do I think it will happen? No. But I definitely wouldn’t be as certain about it as many here
Yelsnit
MAN! Padres are going be good with JTR AND Machado! Lol!
ramonskee
It’s MA’AM!
Yelsnit
I apologize, Madam!
cruiser2948
IT IS MA’AM!
Yelsnit
So the D is silent. Got it!
I apologize once again…….
lowtalker1
The best a ma’am can get
MiserablePadreFan
Too bad we cant gif on this site.
camdenyards46
Brad Hand dumped by Marlins——> Brad Hand traded for Francisco Mejia———-> Francisco Mejia traded for JT Realmuto———> Marlins really messed up by dumping Hand
Soldierofgod619
Lmao we also got Paddack for half a year of Fernando Rodney and Josh Naylor for Cashner. Marlins are good people.
walls17
they should take Ruiz from the Dodgers, there are serious concerns about Mejia’s ability to stick at C, whereas those questions dont exist with Ruiz.
seamaholic 2
Ruiz has a ways to go yet. Much riskier.
sandman12
Yes, Mejia’s value plummets if he can’t catch. The Indians decided he couldn’t and perhaps the Pads have come to same conclusion. Extending the Hand/Mejia/Realmuto circle, what if Pads trraded Mejia, Paddock and Naylor for JT? Now THAT’S full circle.
Chicks Dig the Longball
No one decided that he couldn’t catch. They wanted to speed up his route to the MLB. He will be a catcher, especially if he goes to Miami as they will give him every chance to play there.
bbatardo
That’d be pretty hilarious actually. It’s not a bad offer either.
MLBTR Commenter
Padres need to stay patient with their prospects. Their window hasn’t opened yet. Don’t start trading the young pieces quite yet.
Yankeepatriot
Trading for realmuto is a waste for the pads
walls17
not if he signs an extension
Yankeepatriot
He won’t imo. He will be 30 by the time he hits free agency and is his one chance for a big payday. especially if the padres are still struggling by then
Padres2019ha
Meaning he’ll be a 30 yr old catcher trying to get a 5 year deal…which will be unlikely on terms he wants due to age and wear of position. An extension makes sense on both sides
Houston We Have A Solution
Market isn’t what it use to be. Grandal was the premier catcher and he was only able to get 4 years less than 60 Mill.
Realmuto could forgo an extension and test the market, but the market has not been friendly and players are finding out teams aren’t dishing out contracts they expect.
Swinging Friars
That’s the whole point of the extension window….. If he doesn’t the trade falls apart
dvmin98
Padres are requesting a 72 hour window to work out an extension if the trade is approved, just like Cincy did with Gray
mooshimanx
The free agent market sucks and his WAR numbers don’t dictate as big of a contract as people are imagining
larry48
especially if he signs and extension. Padres give up 4-6 prospects and 15-20 million dollars for 6 years
lwalls
I agree I don’t see the point in trading for Realmuto. Sit and wait, let Mejia and Hedges to their thing on the cheap.
sufferforsnakes
I wouldn’t trade Mejia. And yes, I was pissed when the Tribe did.
Chicks Dig the Longball
It looks really bad now that Gomes is gone too. Mejia could be your guy right now.
Soldierofgod619
Gomes was an All star last year right which kind of made them think Mejia was expendable? The weird part is they got rid of Gomes this offseason that move puzzled me.
Polish Hammer
And if Hand was the difference in the bullpen that got them into extras of game 7 like Miller then it was all worth it. Too many people live their lives in hindsight where the vision is perfect.
lowtalker1
That’s a lot
I heard yesterday that a catcher three prospects and a outfielder
That’s way too much
Wolverines2
Padres should have no part of JTR unless it’s with an extension. Unless that extension does not prevent them from making other significant investments, then I also see that as an unnecessary move. Third base and starting pitching are much more important given this roster’s construction. Pitching is coming through the system. Much more interested in a 26 year old 3rd baseman who is one of the best players in the game and available.
lowtalker1
Maybe this is the way. Lure the guy in with talent in place and more coming through the farm
jonnyzuck
maybe SD makes a run at JT and Manny to win now
Ully
I could see Mejia becoming a Carlos Santana kind of player. They are already trying to move him away from catching due to his defense. The Padres can’t move him to 1st, so this could be a reasonable trade request.
lowtalker1
Do you remember when Pablo Sandoval caught? Lol
twinsfan368
No I’m sorry no. Mejia is going to be better and they aren’t comparable
darkstar61
Santana minor league slashline
.290/.401/.500/.900
Mejia minor league slashline
.293/.347/.452/.799
I wouldn’t bet on that claim
Swinging Friars
There are a lot of comps between these two
I don’t believe defense is Mejia’s issue. His bat is ready now but he is blocked at his natural position. Both CLE & SD had young catchers that they weren’t ready to move off of. So what do you do with a bat that is that exciting? You move it around the diamond and hope the glove works well enough
sufferforsnakes
Or how about let the kid get better with reps at catcher? Sheesh, why does everyone want to move this kid away from catching?
Polish Hammer
His defense started to show flaws not scene before. They tried to get his bat in the lineup and he was very reluctant to be a team player. Good riddance!
Swinging Friars
When did his defense show flaws not scene before?
Chicks Dig the Longball
Is someone re-writing his script and adding Scenes?
jbigz12
Not really an apples to apples claim there. considering Santana put up two of his best minor league offensive seasons at 23 and 24 and Mejia is still just 22 years of age. I could give you 100 million guys who outslugged a guy like Manny Machado in the minors as well.
stymeedone
@swingfriars
That’s what Boston is trying to sell with Swihart. It’s just no one is buying it.
Swinging Friars
huh?
Chicks Dig the Longball
Swihart is also 27 so not really an unknown. Also his bat has not panned out
Polish Hammer
Google the scouting reports on him.
steelerbravenation
They are not trying to move him. He just been moved around because of what Cleveland & San Diego have had at the catcher position already.
Polish Hammer
Two months later and he’s hitting .143 and he’s a whopping 0 for 9 throwing out runners…
Yelsnit
More like AJ Ellis.
Free Clay Zavada
They tried to move him because he was blocked, there aren’t concerns with his defense like there always were with Carlos. Did you read the article?
dematteo1982
Finally…the Padres are possibly trading from that surplus of prospects for major league talent. They will have to outbid the Dodgers,but that shouldnt be an issue. The Braves should be doing the same (trading from their surplus) All teams in the NL East sans Miami have a shot. If the Braves landed Realmuto, signed Kuechel and Kimbral, they would mosy likely be the favs in the East. Lets see how things shake out
JV
Mejia is the perfect guy to deal….He’s a DH/1B long term, and the Padres already signed one of those last year in Hos! I make a deal based on Mejia all day long!
RIPprosports
Padres aren’t doing anything. Marlins front office is just trying to get the Dodgers to pay up more. Friedman has not moved from what he offered day one and Marlins are pi$$ed. Can’t blame them for trying to get everything they can for JTR, but reality is kicking in. Just accept the trade and get JTR in blue!
keepinthafaithsd1
Ya padres blue…
Swinging Friars
Padre brown & gold
sandman12
Fangraphs says fair value to Dodgers and Marlins would be Ruiz, Lux, and May or Santana. I agree and think Marlins would agree. For some reason I don’t think Dodgers would agree.
Mjm117
Or he stays in Marlins Teal until the Fish get what they want. Or they get a nice comp pick.
Mjm117
Obv a comp pick would not be ideal…
BlueSkyLA
Does Fangraphs say that the Dodgers would have to give up three premium prospects for Realmuto, but the price to the Padres would be only one?
jbigz12
May, Lux and Ruiz is way too steep. 2/3 sure I’d do that. But all 3 of them I certainly would not
Swinging Friars
Dodgers still make the most sense
Mejia is that piece driving up the Dodger’s price
Mystery Team
This all seems like a lot of fuss for a catcher with a decent bat. He’s had a couple of good seasons at the plate but for what the Marlins are asking you would think they had a Mike Piazza type hitter. Why are the Padres ever in on anyone they never win anything and always end up having to blow it all up anyway. There’s a reason the Yankees laughed at the Marlins when they wanted Sanchez in return for Realmuto. You don’t trade down.
Adam6710
He’s currently the best all around catcher in the game, offensively and defensively.
He’s been consistent on both sides of the ball (something you can’t say about Gary Sanchez on either, for example — and I use him as an example because i’m a Yankee fan).
He’s got the highest WAR of any full time catcher over the last 3 years, by a wide margin. He’s still well under 30, and has a few more years of control.
Not sure what the gripe is here.
lapadsfan
Could be just to drive up the price for the Dodgers.
marlins17
He is the Mike Piazza of our time just without Roids man.
Elfod325
This trade is fine for the padres on the surface, though we don’t know the secondary pieces that may be involved. If they manage to do this and get a solid FA 3b they have the chance to be fairly decent…
bravesfan
Seems like a no brainier … go for it. I wouldn’t want to play for the padres, and there is no way the braves can’t offer something better than this. General reports suggest the marlins are asking for way more from the braves which isn’t right
sandman12
Way more than what? I’ve never seen verified news of anything other than a Riley and Soroka offer at last summer’s deadline.
bravesfan
There have been reports asking for Ozzie, or acuna plus top 100 prospects. Plus asking for Soroka AND Riley is an extreme overpay and way more than what’s requested from other teams. Sure in division rivals pay more, which is bs but let’s roll with it, this isn’t way more this is robbery
lowtalker1
Yes it is
That’s how it goes. Teams within the division always pay more.
alien
same division have to overpay..
bravesfan
Braves can offer 4 young strong prospects, including a top 100 prospect and that’s way better than any of these other offers we see. But they demand players like Ozzie or multiple mlb ready players for a team that won’t complete for years. Basically wanting us to rebuild their starting roster for them just for JT. It’s completely outrageous and not remotely close to what other teams are asked for
Houston We Have A Solution
Pass.
Rather use Mejia as a piece to acquire a solution to 3B long term OR as a piece to move Hosmers contract.
Adam6710
But when you can get Machado for nothing but money, why not do both? Open up the purse, and add the best third baseman and the best catcher, if you can, I say.
Padres2019ha
Ya,not sure how losing prospects for 3b is better than just buying one
Adam6710
It’s better if the team is cheap. Don’t be cheap, is the lesson. It’s lose/lose.
SDHotDawg
Reminds me of an old saying: If you buy cheap, you pay twice.
Houston We Have A Solution
Rather the Padres trade Hosmer by attaching prospects. Move Myers back to 1st. Sign machado. Then spend on some pitching next off season. Would Padres rather have Hosmer or have money to sign someone like sale?
Swinging Friars
Hosmer is fine where he is. The kids will need him. His defense makes all other infielders better
If you are looking to move someone the odd man out is Myers…
Would you rather have money to sign Sale.. LMAO yeah that’ll happen ROFL
Houston We Have A Solution
If they sign machado there’s reason they’d pursue sale.
But you also have guys like Alex Wood Michael Wacha and Gerrit Cole who’d be the front line starter Padres have been looking for. Next year’s pitching market has a good number of options.
You could have signed moustakas for 1/5 the price filled 3B and given this team what Hosmer gives them in terms of intangibles.
Swinging Friars
How?
If they sign Machado, where does the money for Sale come from? And do you really believe Sale plays for someone other than the Red Sox any time soon?
Free Clay Zavada
Hosmer’s value couldn’t possibly be any lower than it is right now. No team should ever be trying to sell a player under that circumstance.
Just like how the Cubs were not actively shopping Heyward after years 1 and 2, but once he was vaguely useful in year 3, they started making calls
Houston We Have A Solution
Say Machado signs for 200 Mill give or take. That’s 25 Mill over 8 seasons
Moving Hosmers contract off the books opens up money to sign sale.
Padres could easily afford paying machado 25 Mill and sale 25 Mill if Hosmer is off the books.
But if Padres don’t sign sale they still have money to try and sign cole and have money left over to fill other needs than paying an overpriced 1B.
Sale got his championship. Could easily see him chasing the largest contract or returning to the white sox if they make moves.
Swinging Friars
Sale is so beyond the Padres budget. Even if we had zero money on the books
Lifelong Padre fan who loves watching pitching duels here. I absolutely love the idea of Sale being a Padre.. But let’s be real here. It’s the Padres. We get those types in their golden years or they come from our farm.
Wolverines2
Stop being content with this payroll!!! Plenty of freaking room if a team has LEAGUE AVERAGE payroll.
Swinging Friars
agree 100%
SDHotDawg
Given a choice between moving Hosmer or Myers, I’d say adios to Myers.
Myers was not a good first baseman, if having him at first is the thinking. Somebody already pointed out how a good first baseman improves all infield defense.
Wolverines2
100%
batty
Name 1 team willing to take Hosmer in a trade. Not even accounting for Hosmer’s full NTC through 2020. Hosmer’s contract is just another albatross that teams don’t want.
Swinging Friars
says you
You don’t hear anyone from the Padres complaining about Hosmer. He had a down year with the bat. In a lineup that put no one on base in front of him and had no protection behind him. His glove his still solid and he’s being paid fair market value. The only ones calling him an albatross is you and handful of commenters on this site
jbigz12
This is literally what hosmer does. He’s been one of the most inconsistent players in his big league career. He might very well bounce back and put a 4 win season this year but I’ll tell you what no one wants him at 100 million plus bucks. No one except SD Did last year either. And if he does bounce back to being a 4 win player next year it’s almost an absolute certainty he won’t do it consistently. He never has. The writing was all over the wall for this one. Like it or not as a padre fan. if you think Hosmer contract is fair market value you’ve been living under a rock or perhaps sniffing too much glue because his contract is so under water it’s not even funny.
Swinging Friars
No one from the Padres organization wants Hosmer gone. The guy didn’t hit enough last year but as the lineup improves so should his offensive stats
He is the leader of the team. He plays gold glove defense. He fits in well as the face of the franchise too. He’s personable and willing to do the media and community stuff. He is a big part of the improved fan experience that new ownership talked about bringing
Despite what a few arm chair accountants think, he’s making fair market value. Definitely not draining the Padre’s finances. He needs to hit more and he will
Some Padre fans just live to complain. Can’t really blame them though….they come by it honestly
batty
And the MLBTR staff, most on MLB Network, ESPN and many other sites/networks.
Look, i get it. You are a Padres fan and take up for your team/players. But he’s not “being paid fair market value”. He’s being paid above market and that’s evidenced by no other team being willing to pay him what he got last off season. The only way Hosmer’s contract pays off is if the Padres surround him with players that make his importance to team success considerably lower.
Swinging Friars
um, MLBTR staff predicted he would get the money he got
and if you go by what ESPN says….. no one here can help you
stymeedone
@batty
Any free agent who signs for the most money is signed for more money than any other team thought they were worth. That’s the nature of free agency. It doesn’t mean he has no trade value. Likely means there is little surplus value.
Swinging Friars
I know this is a trade rumors site…. However a players value is made up of much more than just “can you trade him”
If a guy plays out his full contract people on here go nuts because he could have brought back some value in prospects. But the contract they sign is for playing ball, the value is the player playing. No one is signed with thought that they are an albatross if untradable in their final year
jbigz12
Lol. I too believe Chris Davis as well as Jason Heyward were good signings that are clearly fair market value. Just because neither team can trade them really has nothing to do with what I consider is fair market.. Chris Davis will play all 7 years in Baltimore and Heyward will play all 8 in Chicago. Must be fair market eh? There’s your argument. If that’s your logic, good for you.
Swinging Friars
The fair market argument is made to illustrate that he is not breaking the bank. Just like Heyward and the Cubs, the buck will not stop at Hosmer
The one argument against Hosmer is the amount of money he is being paid. That amount drops to $13m very soon
Beating this notion of Hosmer being overpaid is useless. It is what it is, everyone else has moved on so should you
jbigz12
You can’t sit here and argue for him and say he’s been paid fair market and then tell me to move on because I said otherwise. That’s not an argument and he doesn’t add value because of what he does in the clubhouse and to the media or whatever else you were trying to throw at the wall up there. None of it sticks. He’s overpaid and was when he inked the deal. Period. You could have machado by now if hosmer wasn’t signed. That cash easily could’ve been transferred to a productive player at a position of need. IE machado. And yes In fact a guy like heyward is breaking the bank as well. The cubs haven’t been in on anyone because of financial constraints due in large part to over market deals like that one.
Swinging Friars
so did I argue for him or just tell you to go away? You just refuse to listen to reason. Everyone else has moved on and so should you
you guys make no sense. Just complaining for the sake of complaining
The Padres are in on Machado so they must still have some cash
mikecav19
I am a Stros fan, so no vested interest in this trade for me. I see this as the perfect match or at least the best match i have seen to date. I would only do this with a reasonable extension in place though. Pads would trade a catcher of the future for a catcher now. And they have prospect depth to sweeten the trade without giving up key prospects. This is exactly how a team with a loaded farm takes the next step. Marlins won’t do any better and would be fools to pass it up. Win win trade imo.
sandman12
What if Mejia can’t catch at the ML level, as suggested.?
batty
If the Marlins want Mejia as part of the package, as Morosi claims, then his ability, or lack thereof, is fully on the Marlins. Personally, i don’t put much stock into any “rumor” connected through Morosi.
Chicks Dig the Longball
He will be able to catch. If Wilson Ramos, Gary Sanchez, and Wellington Castillo can be everyday catchers, Mejia can do it. They whole “Will he be able to catch” is just something scouts say to try and find a negative on a prospect. He will be a catcher. and if he goes to the Marlins, he will be given every opportunity to become one because what do they have to play for for the next 3 years?
Polish Hammer
What do they have to play for? Each player will be playing to show they belong in the majors and the Marlins will then trade them as they won’t want to pay them…we’ve all seen this movie before…
Swinging Friars
Who suggested he can’t catch?
socalbum
posted on Padres SBNation last September: “The bigger question is defense. On paper Mejia has made good progress with the glove, playing errorless ball and throwing out 35% of runners this year in Triple-A. On the other hand scouting reports on his defense lately have been negative, with receiving and blocking skills reported as stagnant or even declining. The Indians themselves seemed down on his defense and he’s spent considerable time playing left field this year.”
Swinging Friars
The copy and pasted report from a CLE newspaper when the kid just made it down to SD? That one?
Regurgitated press kit stuff
The Indians were trying him at different positions and he was improving at those positions. The kid is 22 and getting pushed around the diamond
Luckybrew
I agree whole heartedly win for both.
mccourtscorpse
pads should have just resigned yasmani passedball
Ryan W
They didn’t like him here
Chicks Dig the Longball
Realmuto is much cheaper, younger, and better.
dvmin98
Hell no….Grandal wasn’t liked in San Diego
SDHotDawg
He was a ‘roid user, too. No cheaters, please.
Nick P
So this is going to sound crazy, but here’s what I’d do if I were the Padres…
First I’d dump Hosmer. Eat about 10 mil a year for the next 3 seasons (he gets cheaper after that) and send him to The Yankees who don’t have a clear established option at 1B, for Frazier (who’s not going to get any playing time anytime soon…Yankees looking to win now and fill a hole)
Now that he’s cleared off, sign Machado AND Harper.
Send stammen & Yates to Cubs for Ian Happ
(Cubs need pen help, on budget, Almora can play CF)
Send strahm, Stock, Renfroe & Jankowski to MIN for Sano
(Twins lack depth, get some pieces they could flip at the deadline or keep in the pen and OF, Rosario slides to 3B, and get rid of Sano who they seem to be down on and who could use a change of scenery)
Now SD lineup looks like:
C- hedges/Mejia
1B – Myers
2B – Kinsler/Tatis/Urias
Ss – Machado
3B Sano
RF – Harper
CF – Margot / Happ
LF – Frazier / Reyes / Cordero
Chicks Dig the Longball
1. Hosmer’s contract would be too terrible to get Frazier. Padres are going to have to just ride it out with Hosmer.
2. No way the Padres could sign both. Also their gluttony of corner OFs make Harper a hard pill to swallow.
3. Why would you want Happ?. He is a high strikeout, poor defensive CFer who would be best used as a super utility bat off the bench. Also, if you plan to compete, which you would have to do if you signed both Harper and Manny, why would you sell your back end? Now you can’t finish games.
4. That is way too much for Sano. Strahm alone should get him, but then again, why would the twins take that. Sano is at his lowest value point ever.
Nothing about your scenario sounds reasonable or desirable
hollywood9
Strahm is a piece that will not be in any trade. Upside is too big as a starter. Move on….
adshadbolt1
You have them signing Harper and machado, really? And even though sano was terrible this year I doubt the twins would give him up for that package
Swinging Friars
again with this chit??
22Leo
Padres fans are delusional. All that organization will do is trade away any decent prospects they have and remain one of the worst teams in MLB.
larry48
Padres would trade all at dead line or next off season.
tannedt
First put down the crack pipe. Hosmer sucks and no way the Yanks trade for him.
Melchez
The Padres should avoid Realmuto and Manny. They need to be patient and wait on those prospects. If anything, they should sign Keuchel. Solidify their rotation with a veteran. Then sign Moustakas to hold down third for a couple years. They have a great 2b/ss combo coming up in Tatis and Urias. These veterans would help them transition to the majors.
If they signed Igleasias for short, that would solidify that defense and give Urias some more time to develop. He’s only21.
There is no reason to trade away hard earned prospects for a catcher that is in his prime now. Catchers don’t age well. If they extend him, they might regret it.
Ryan W
By that logic, they aren’t competitive til 2022
Swinging Friars
or ever…
larry48
more like 2025 or maybe 2030. Padres competive 2090
SupremeZeus
Padres aren’t a playoff team in the next two seasons. No, no they aren’t. If they really want him, sign JT for $ only in two years when the window may be open. For the kind of prospect haul JT will command there are only a few teams in the World Series hunt the next two years that should be actively pursuing him. This year the Padres should be giving their young guys some big league experience and evaluating whether Hosmer is viable going forward (keep or cut losses).
I suspect the Dodgers are the only real suitor and this is Miami trying to up an unacceptable offer from them.
trident
Poor Francisco if he’s traded. Everybody and nobody wants him.
Chicks Dig the Longball
Dodgers are going to get Realmuto.
I’m guessing a strong Dodgers offer looks like:
Keibert Ruiz, Alex Verdugo, and Edwin Rios.
A strong Padres offer looks like:
Francisco Mejia, Hunter Renfroe, and Michael Baez.
Which would you take?
socalbum
As a Dodgers fan I hope the Marlins take that Padres offer.
sandman12
Ruiz, Lux and Jeter Downs and I think there’s a deal.
Chicks Dig the Longball
Can’t see the dodgers giving up Lux and Ruiz in the same deal. Too much position value with a C and MIF. Verdugo is dispensable. I also think people don’t realize how good Rios could be if he got a chance to play 1B everyday. Dude just hits.
sandman12
and whiffs
Swinging Friars
you may be right about too much value. However infield talent is a surplus for the Dodgers. JTR makes the Dodgers a lot better now. Those kids are going to have trouble finding playing time for the next 5 years
socalbum
very good point about Rios; he would be a very good player for Marlins
socalbum
I don’t believe Dodgers will trade either Ruiz or Lux for Realmuto. Barnes, Smith, Verdugo, and Santana is as far as it will go with current prospects. An alternative, Dodgers trade Pederson to White Sox for a couple of prospects who are flipped to Marlins along with 2 Dodgers (Barnes and Smith?) depending on positions of White Sox prospects.
sandman12
That amounts to trading Joc Frigging Pederson and Will Smith for the best catcher in the game in his prime. Are you kidding or what?
Chicks Dig the Longball
If I was the White sox I wouldn’t give up much for Joc. He is a platoon only corner outfielder.
socalbum
A platoon player with 25 home runs and around .850 OPS; White Sox would love to have him
Chicks Dig the Longball
But at what cost? If you think you would get Rutherford for him, you are dreaming.
socalbum
We differ on the value of Pederson, I believe he will net 2 good prospects from the White Sox and apparently you do not. Last season was Realmuto’s first with a WAR above 4 and his defense actually regressed from 2017, then there is the issue of 2 years before free agency. Bottom line, Realmuto is not a must have for Dodgers to be successful. No problem with Dodgers walking away from Realmuto and waiting until the trade deadline to see what it may need to bolster the roster.
norcalblue
Well said!
dshires4
The Padres offer you proposed could be beat by the Padres in a thousand different ways with their farm system. For their much praised farm system, only one top arm reached AAA. They’re still years off from fielding a rotation IF all of them make it to the show. The Marlins are probably hoping for a higher upside return than Renfroe, a guy who can’t get on base.
Chicks Dig the Longball
I’m saying a realistic offer the Padres would actually send that wouldn’t ruin a rebuild. Sure, they could send Tatis, Urias, and Gore, but none of those dudes are gunna go anywhere.
marlins17
Oh Dodgers alll day long. Man that would be awesome
Unclenolanrules
They also want Tony Gwynn and Dave Winfield.
VegasSDfan
I would trade Mejia, but that’s a very dangerous decision.
imgman09
Earrings on a pig unless you do more Than Realmuto Padres
dvmin98
If nothing else, I think getting the Padres involved will up the ante for the Dodgers to give up better prospects.
MetsFanaticDanny
I love it!!! Marlins really screwed the pooch on this one. They could have had MLB proven players from different organizations but got too greedy. Now, it looks like they are going to have to settle for prospects. Mejia may have talent but is unproven thus far in the majors. 32 gms, .174 BA.
So proud that BVM declined their proposal of trading two of Amed Rosario and either Brandon Nimmo or Michael Conforto. What an overpay that would have been.
All this shows is that the Mets are FINALLY being run by a competent, strategically smart individual and the Marlins are just simply not. I truly do feel bad for Marlins fans because their team has no direction and/or path to success.
Chicks Dig the Longball
You’re proud your GM isn’t a moron? Really setting the bar high for your organization
lowtalker1
Let’s finished 3rd or 4th this year is a solid prediction.
When do you think they tear it down and actually do a full rebuild like they should have done in the first place?
Swinging Friars
Next year…. They are following Preller’s model ala 2015
albeit with much better pieces on board
Chicks Dig the Longball
Padres did it, Blue Jays did it a few years before. I think they have a chance of competing for 1 maybe 2 seasons, but I would not be shocked if they get to the trade deadline trying to dump everyone.
jimmyz
Once Bobby Bonilla’s contract clears off the books.
leftcoaster
I bet the Marlins do.
chippahawk
The chances of eating a cheeseburger for lunch “gaining momentum.” And he wants fries with that. Crowd goes wild….rawww
For the love of God something happen already..
SabrinasDaddy
LA needs to make this move to get JT to justify their Cincy layoff; very disappointing if SD obtains him where LA would face him up to 16x per year…
Soldierofgod619
In the few games i saw Mejia catch in the Majors with the Padres he looked alright out there besides a couple of passed balls and swinging like a madman he definitely should stick at catcher he could be an average defender with a plus bat and hes a switch hitter.
Swinging Friars
His arm was impressive too
I’d like to see the Padres give him a chance
Soldierofgod619
Straight cannon Frankie looks like a good one.
SDHotDawg
From your description, he sounds like a young Benito Santiago. Actually, I thought he looked OK, too. But very small sample size.
123redsox
What if the Padres sign Machado, trade for Realmuto and trade for a pitcher? That would be quite the flip of a script for a team that went 66-96 last year
Moneyballer
All that to win maybe 5-8 more games. Have fun with that.
Chicks Dig the Longball
And eat into the farm system they have spent 3 years building?
stretch123
Mejia, Luis Patino and Gabriel Arias (or Owen Miller).
If I were the Marlins, I’d ask for a Morejon and Mejia package for JTR. Straight up.
Chicks Dig the Longball
I think the term “straight up” only applies in a 1 for 1 deal. If not, the the term is inherently meaningless.
stretch123
I think most people would understand my comment regardless of if I used an incorrect phrase or not… no need for nitpicking on proper grammar on a baseball comment section, bud.
byron buxton mvp
Done
Moneyballer
Padres like spending money, apparantly. This is a head scratcher to me.
bigguccisosa300
I think aj preller should go to his doctor and re evaluate his meds game
Illusionist
I don’t mind giving up Mejia because he has below average plate displine. Generally, even when you have good contact skills like Mejia but poor disipline you ruin your potential for a good or great average, say .300. Some examples of this are Lewis Brison, who does make solid contact when he gets a pitch he can handle, but his poor plate disipline resulted in weak groundouts/popouts and strikeouts. Salvador Perez I would argue as well, especially last year, even though he has a uncanny ability to put the bat on the ball, he also has poor plate disipline so often times when he chases out of the zone it results in weaker contact and thus easily fly balls/outs. That is why imo, he only stands around a .280 average, for his best year. You sometimes see those ultility guys who often put the bat on ball like aybar, but they generally dont have a high average when they poor disipline skills..
Padres whatever you do , if you do get Realumto, PLease Do Not just give up some of your top prospects for a summer rental. Make sure you can extend Realumto, especially since you wont necessarily be competeting this year. That’s almost as bad as paying a closer about 20 mil a year, esp for a small market team. And sorry Kimbrel your asking price is too much, even if you do close out most games, abiet remind 3 runs in 1 inning is pretty spacious for a save,, you need good RP and SP in order to get to a save situation in the first place.
Pads Fans 2
Realmuto isn’t signing an extension.
Illusionist
Yea def not worth it then. 1) Pads are small market team and 2) We probably wont contend this year. Reminds me of how we essentially paid Richards 16 mil since he probably wont be playing this year aka not getting the full value of a SP or Realumto trade.
SanDiegoTom
I don’t understand preller sometimes, why trade for JTR? I think mejia and hedges will make a fine MLB platoon this year. The pads need to try to trade from their outfield surplus for a SP and let the kids play…
SDHotDawg
Agreed. I posted something above regarding how IMO, Realmuto makes little sense.
…
We once had another pretty good catcher with “poor plate discipline.” He figured it out. Benito Santiago.
Illusionist
Not really a good track record of having those type of players. And how many of those players we’re successful, not just 1 year but a multitude of years? Go through the current mlb depth charts and see how many players in starting lineups have poor discipline. In fact its not many. They either have average to above average.:. Cozart, Gurrierl, Profar, Pillar, Flowers, Spanberg, Bader,Baez, Ahmed, Hernandez,, Slater,Lupow,
Mallex,Brinson,Ramos,Suziki,Rickard,Mejia,Franco,Cerviellii, Mathis,Leon, Peraza, McMahon, Mondesi,Hicks,Cron,Engel, Andujar, once from each team, those can be considered the worst out of all when it comes to plate disipline, and even so its not that bad, with the exception of Brinson and perhaps Mejia ( 1 year playing, although plate disipline over time is hard to improve upon, at least in a rapid succession). You look at the top mlb teams, and most of their players have, at the very least, acceptable plate discipline.. Sure some players put a higher emphasis on discipline over contact, but at the very least when they do make solid contact, partly because of their discipline, its going to be a hard hit ball instead of weak groundout as a result of chasing, that now falls into fielding % which remains high probablilty of an out.
Its possible Mejia has a good year yes, but unlikely if he doesnt improve his discipline, especially now with defense aka shift playing a bigger role. If you want to compromise some discipline for better contact instead of balancing both, then you really have to make good contact, something along the lines of Adam Jones and Salvador Perez, clearly good contact hitters but with below average disip;ine, and if u look at their track record, the’yre, at most, around the .280 marks, nothing more.. Look now at Jaiver Baez. His plate discipline improved a bit this year abeit still not great, but it helped him break out. It’s not then what we want to happen, its what the results consistently show. That’s also why Mike Trout is one of, if not the best player in baseball. His plate discipline is so good that he doesnt chase not just for striking out but also for avoiding easy groundballs. In fact its so good that as a result of waiting out offspeed pitchers, he sometimes struggled making contact with high fastballs. He even stuck out from time to time, but at the same time he didn’t comprise too much of his discipline, meaning often times I believe he struck out on actual strikes, actual pitches he could hit.. Cabera, Alutve, Trout, Harper, Areando, Cory Seager, Martinez, and so forth all have good discipline and are what separate the great players from those good players with not so great discipline. It’s also important not to confuse aggressiveness in the batters box with bad discipline, e.g. Alutve. Just like players like to take the first pitch to see, which is fine, if you get a good pitch first pitch, there should be nothing wrong with swinging either.
SDHotDawg
Agreed. But with regard to Mejia, he’s only got 69 ML at bats! We don’t really know what he is.
Pads Fans 2
Padres were actively trying to contend in 2015 and Preller can trade with whoever he wants. Deal with it.
SDHotDawg
Jeez. My stalker is back!! He forgot to take his meds.
Pads Fans 2
I’ll tell you right now buddy you made a HUGE mistake trying to mess with me.
Oh and it’s not stalking when you reply to me first.
SDHotDawg
Oooh, another cyber-threat!
I’m so scared. Didn’t you learn anything after being outed and dressed down by Steve Adams the other night?
Disengaging from the psychotic troll.
Pads Fans 2
It’s not a threat, it’s a promise.
You’re the troll. You post ridiculous theories like “The Padres were always rebuilding in 2015” despite the fact that they went and made a bunch of clear “win-now” moves before the season started or saying that the Padres prospects are overrated cuz they lost no one to the Rule 5 draft even though all the good prospects were either protected or not yet eligible. And then you throw tantrums and accuse people of stalking you when they prove you wrong even when you started it. You’re such a joke it’s not even funny.
And for the hundredth time, downvoting other people’s comments doesn’t help your argument.
Soldierofgod619
1)Myers(LF)
2)Tatis(SS)
3)Machado(3b)
4)Realmuto(C)
5)Hosmer(1b)
6)Reyes(RF)
7)Urias(2b)
8)Margot/Cordero(CF)
Could be the lineup sometime during 2019 but 2020 it should all click to aim for 90+wins.
SDHotDawg
Except for Myers at leadoff …
Soldierofgod619
Why not hes usually close to 30/30 player he hits and is fast enough to steal bases. If guys like Springer could lead off why not Myers. We tried him before and he was leadi g the majors in runs early may at one point.
SDHotDawg
He wouldn’t be bad, but I’d like to see Urias at leadoff. Supposedly, his game is all about getting on base, so let’s see.
Yeah, in 2016, Myers scored 99 runs. He also had a .336 OBP, and a career high of 28 SBs. He only hit 30 HRs once, and that was in the last game of the season.
alien
rather than giving up prospects for 2 yrs of JTR.. I would “TANK” this yr.. deepen the farm system some more, let them come up together..
SDHotDawg
Tank? Again? Well, that’s one thing Preller does well.
The fascination with losing and love affair with draft picks/prospects is “alien” to me.
😉
Pads Fans 2
REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
throwinched10
Seems logical they would want Mejia in return for Realmuto.
Potential and reality are often two different things. Do the Padres expect Mejia to be as good as Realmuto? If so, how soon?
Those are really the only questions when determining whether or not to include him in a trade for Realmuto.
SDHotDawg
Yup. That’s always the case with prospects. How they will perform at the big league level is not predictable, regardless of hype, rankings, etc.
throwinched10
Realmuto, Hosmer, Urias, Tatis Jr, Machado around the INF and Reyes, Margot, Renfroe/Myers in thw OF would be legit! I’m guessing they would want to unload Myers contract if they sign Machado.
Their pitching still needs some time but 2021 could be a serious playoff run.
WideWorldofSports
It makes zero sense for the padres or white Sox to be “in” on some of these players. They need to continue to rebuild and respect the process.
Pads Fans 2
To all those saying the Padres should trade for Realmuto because “He’s better than Hedges or Mejia,” by that logic, they should trade for Mike Trout. He is better than any of their outfielders. Apparently prospect cost, team needs and contention windows aren’t relevant.