The Padres currently have a record of 46-33, placing them in the top National League Wild Card spot and just 3 1/2 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West. They’ve managed to do that without any contributions from their star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr., who has been on the injured list all year after hurting his wrist in an offseason motorcycle accident (or accidents). Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic asked Tatis if he would consider moving off shortstop in his return, to which he replied, “The plan so far is shortstop.” When Rosenthal suggested Tatis could make a good fit in center field, Tatis said, “If it means we’re going to win more ballgames like that, I’ll do it that way,” before adding that he has been taking some fly balls in the outfield recently and that the switch is “not out of the question.”
This wouldn’t be the first time Tatis moved to the outfield while returning from an injury. After dealing with shoulder issues for much of 2021, Tatis ended up playing seven games in center field and 20 in right field upon his return, before eventually returning to the dirt. The idea was that outfielders have to make full-effort throws less often than infielders, which would reduce the wear-and-tear on his arm. Rosenthal pitches a similar plan for the Padres this year, taking the production of Ha-Seong Kim and Trent Grisham into account.
Kim’s batting line of .223/.314/.339 is a few points below league average, amounting to a 91 wRC+. However, his strong defense has allowed him to produce 1.4 fWAR on the year already, despite that subpar offensive output. He’s tallied four Defensive Runs Saved at shortstop this year, along with two at third base. Outs Above Average has given him a six this year between the two positions, with UZR giving him 4.6 at short and 1.1 at the hot corner. Grisham, however, has a .192/.290/.332 batting line this year, which results in a wRC+ of 82. If playing outfield is more beneficial for Tatis’s return to health and there’s more room for improvement in center than at shortstop, perhaps the Padres will give some consideration to taking this route, though much will surely depend on how things play out between now and then. With the trade deadline a month away, there are many moving parts that could change the calculus, but it will be an interesting story to develop along the way.
More details from the NL West…
- Elsewhere in the same article, Rosenthal says that extension talks between the Friars and starter Joe Musgrove have “fizzled.” In April, the club reportedly gave him an offer of eight years in the vicinity of $11MM per year. Talks apparently continued since then, though the club doesn’t seem to have done much to bridge the gap between their offer and Musgrove’s asking price. The fact that Musgrove turned down that offer isn’t terribly surprising, given his potential earning power. Back in April, MLBTR’s Anthony Franco noted that Musgrove is headed to free agency with similar numbers to both Robbie Ray and Kevin Gausman, both of whom just earned five-year deals worth $115MM and $110MM, respectively. Those amount to AAVs of $23MM and $22MM, double the type of contract the Friars were putting in front of Musgrove, though with different terms. Since that writing, Musgrove has done nothing to diminish his free agency outlook and may have even improved it. His 2.25 ERA is easily the best of his career, almost a full run better than his 3.18 from last year. His 25.6% strikeout rate is a few ticks below last season’s 27.1%, though he’s also reduced his walk rate from 7.2% to 5.3%. The Padres have reportedly considered trading from their rotation depth this year, though the equation will get tricky next year. Musgrove, Sean Manaea and Mike Clevinger are all slated to reach free agency this winter. Nick Martinez also has a series of player options that could allow him to choose another trip to the open market. That leaves Yu Darvish, Blake Snell and MacKenzie Gore as the three starters penciled into the staff for next year.
- Antonio Senzatela left last night’s start after just 37 pitchers over two innings due to some shoulder tightness. Thomas Harding of MLB.com spoke to the starter, who admitted that he’s a bit worried about it. “I’m worried because this has never happened to me,” Senzatela said. “I got scared a little bit. They said it’s nothing bad. Hopefully, it’s not bad. Hopefully, I’ll be better tomorrow and be ready for my next start.” His 4.95 season ERA won’t wow anyone, but it’s not awful for a guy whose home park is the most hitter-friendly venue in the league. Losing a rotation mainstay like Senzatela for any amount of time wouldn’t be great news for the Rockies, as their season is already in dire straits. Currently sporting a record of 33-44, they’re in the basement of the NL West and nine games behind the Cardinals for the final NL Wild Card spot. [UPDATE: the Rockies placed Senzatela on the 15-day IL due to right shoulder inflammation.]
I heard that 8yr/$88m offer to Musgrove was false news. Who knows? Anyway, retain Musgrove and Clev for ’23. They’ll stay in town with competitive offers and SD has the payroll capacity for ’23+.
I Heard Seidler say he wants to sign Musgrove it’s gonna take some time though .It will be interesting what will padres do at deadine .
I kinda hope they don’t do anything at the TD! Being patient and collecting our injured “should be” enough?!??
Another bat is needed in this lineup in my opinion + Tatis .1B,OF ,DH..be nice but Hosmer Myers money always a problem dunno
Counting on Tatis to come back and be immediately great is a big risk. I hope it happens, but what if he’s rusty? What if the wrist keeps him from cutting loose? What if he suffers a relapse?
We need those pen reinforcements asap.
There’s no easy answer, for sure. A three-headed catching / DH rotation of Alfaro, Nola, and Contreras could be huge, but can they outbid everybody else who wants the latter? Can they even afford him salary-wise without using prospects to unload other costs?
I wonder where Kris Bryant wishes, in hindsight, where he was playing now?
Colorado.
182 million reasons why.
I am a Padres fan and I am so happy that Tatis is more open to playing the OF upon his return. It just makes too much sense.
Tatis should be playing DH until his body is fully healthy again. Bat is too good to be out this long.
I like the idea of Tatis in center and sliding over to right field in favor to Grisham in late inning defensive situations. I think Mazara is a solid platoon guy and if they could get a decent right handed bat to compliment him for lefties, I think we could do alright.
Platoon Wil with Nomar? Profar and Grish will still get plenty of PT even with Tatis in the mix. Kim needs to play SS 5+ days a week; his growth is apparent and every at-bat seems to be a new leaf turned over for Kim. Possible Gold Glove in the works for Kim, too! I hope the Pads stay quiet at the TD and just collect our own internal reinforcements (Tatis, Pom, Wilson, Suarez, Pierce, Morejon, Adams, etc.) unless we get an offer that blows us away. We’ve got a great Hold ‘Em hand, just check and/or raise to the river.
Folks forget that Myers is actually pretty good. His injury is frustrating though.
Really like Tatis gifts but not until he plays for the name on his chest, Padres will never make it to the next level
He has a very me first attitude towards the game.
Rosenthal lol. While getting more regular playing time, Abrams is starting to look better at the plate than Kim so the question of where Tatis plays shouldn’t ignore Abrams in context. Kim on the other hand seems to be a weak bat regardless playing time. His best value is as utility IF guy.
The Padres are wasting quality start after QS. And while lack of run support is the glaring issue getting much attention, the RP unit (aside from Taylor and Crismatt) has been quite charitable to the opposition, losing games the team should have won. The returns of Pomeranz, Johnson, Wilson, Suarez, Adams and Morejon seem to be pushed farther and farther into the future with every injury report. Tim Hill is no longer able to get a RH out, Stammen is a shadow of his previous self. Castillo is killing it in the minors, but they don’t seem to want to make room for him just yet on the 40-man. If they don’t address the bullpen problem soon it won’t matter that Tatis is returning, or that they might sign another bat.
Also not discussed but oddly lacking with the Padres is speed on base paths. Being a team lacking power, it would sure help if they weren’t also near league bottom in SBs. On paper, they seem to have some basestealers, and Tatis will help some when he returns (asuming they give him the green light). But Grisham/Abrams/Azocar and others need to grab 2B now and then. Maybe it’s not Melvin’s style, but its time they accept they’re not Slam Diego and start manufacturing runs.
The Pads schedule gets more difficult, while the Cardinals, Giants, Brewers and Braves look to leapfrog them in the WC standings. This is a critical time of the season for the Friars.
What did Ken Rosenthal say that was so funny?
I actually did LOL, but it wasn’t funny ha-ha.
In the Atlantic article, he’s very simplistic (in a myopic sort of way) in his suggestions to what the Pads should do position-wise when Tatis comes back.
Coach K and I were just talking about creating more Hit n Run situations yesterday! Let’s see it BoMel! While I respect your pessimism of the “situation” I think Kim should play close to everyday. His glove is Uber important and his at-bats are getting better everyday. Bat him 8th or 9th when Tati is back and I think pieces will fall in place just fine. Cheers Brew! Happy 4th to you and the fam
Kim has been playing nearly every day – has about the same number of ABs this year as Machado. I’m not pessimistic about Kim, he is what he is, bringing great defense and little offense.
I guess you could say I’m optimistic about Abrams, and not in the camp who would like to see Kim hold Abrams back, with Tati in the lineup. Say hi to coach for me!
The Padres moving Tatis off short a year into his 13? year extension is hilarious
The Padres have an abundance of quality SS but lack quality in the OF. There are lots of high quality SS who can hit like crazy. CF? How many teams have a quality CF who can hit like Tatis? 1. The Angels with Mike Trout. ANY team outside of Anaheim would kill to have Tatis in CF.
Tatis is a SS and has probably played the position his whole life. What if he’s not good defensively in CF? That’s a tough position to play and not a position someone with shoulder problems should just be thrown into
Whether he’s played SS his whole life or not, what matters is how well he plays the position. He’s not terrible, but he’s not a very good defensive SS either.
Since the start of his career, defensively Statcast ranks him 25th among SSs with -6 OAA. Fangraphs doesn’t think much of his fielding either. They rate him a -9 DRS over his career.
Maybe he won’t play a good CF, but as important as CF is defensively, it’s still not as important as SS.
Tatis has some experience in CF. He is at least passable there and will only get better. Having a cannon also helps. As for IF with shoulder problems being switched to CF I refer you to Cody Bellinger.
Bellinger had surgery on a tear, which also strengthen the joint to reduce the subluxation. Tati didnt have a tear and has not had surgery yet for the subluxation. I played CF and I’m not sure it’s a safe position! Especially for a balls-out 100%er like Tatis. I’m guessing he’d hurt himself as DH.
Lol, I would not use Bellinger as a positive example for anything nowadays. His body is breaking down as 26.
Hilarious might be a bit of an overstatement.
I see haters above bashing Tati for not being about the front of the jersey… when he’s quite the opposite and said “whatever is best for the team.” Their current SS is playing for a Gold Glove and the team definitely needs help on the grass where Tati has played well before. Haters gotta hate for no reason, I guess!
In the words of Manny Machado, who himself is considered a selfish player, “Its not about YOU!!”
I have noticed a lot of jealous envy from haters here. Quite the following.
SD is 23rd in slugging this season. It’s rare to see a disciplined at-bat from any of them. Hosmer is comically bad the last few months, & Voit looks completely lost. What’s the hitting coach telling the team?
Joe Musgrove and Wil Myers to the Mets for Matt Allan and Alex Ramirez who hangs up first?
No GM will trade his ACE, a Cy Young favorite, while he is trying to compete.
“You tell ’em Javia!” – Chris Antonetti