Left-hander Adrián Morejón just wrapped up the best season of his major league career, at least so far. He had appeared in each of the seasons from 2019 to 2023 but never reached 35 innings pitched in any of those. In 2024, he made 60 relief appearances, logging 63 2/3 frames. He allowed 2.83 earned runs per nine innings in that time. His 26.1% strikeout rate, 7.7% walk rate and 51.4% ground ball rate were all better than league averages. He added another two appearances in the postseason.
Now the Padres and Morejón will have to decide what’s next. The southpaw came up as a starting pitching prospect and was highly regarded as a minor leaguer. The Cuban lefty secured an $11MM signing bonus from the Padres in 2016, before the league introduced the hard-capped international amateur spending system that currently exists. Baseball America considered him one of the top 100 prospects in the league from 2017 to 2021, with Morejón getting as high as #52 going into 2019.
But his trajectory slowed down since that peak of his prospect hype, largely due to injuries. In 2019, he made his major league debut but missed time due to a shoulder impingement. The 2020 season was shortened by the pandemic and there were no minor league games, limiting him to just nine appearances and less than 20 innings that year. In 2021, he required Tommy John surgery after just two starts. He was off the injured list by June of 2022 but missed time in the second half of that year due to shoulder inflammation. In 2023, he spent time on the IL due to a left elbow sprain and right knee inflammation, limiting him to just nine major league innings and less than 30 on the farm.
With all of those injuries, the Padres understandably kept him in a relief role this year. As mentioned up top, he stayed healthy and thrived in the bullpen. Based on the way the past few years went, the club might be tempted to just keep Morejón in the bullpen. With Tanner Scott set to reach free agency, Morejón arguably projects as the club’s best southpaw reliever for 2025, ahead of Wandy Peralta and Yuki Matsui.
But there’s upside to considering the alternative, with Garrett Crochet being a best-case scenario example of what’s possible. Like Morejón, Crochet was a top prospect who had spent the early parts of his career either hurt or pitching in relief. The White Sox stretched him out for a rotation role in 2024 with fantastic results, as he posted a 3.58 ERA over 146 innings. Even those numbers sell him short, as that club’s poor defense seemingly contributed to a .318 batting average on balls in play for Crochet this year. He struck out 35.1% of batters faced, limited walks to a 5.5% clip and got grounders on 45.1% of balls in play. If it weren’t for that high BABIP, he probably would have kept some more runs off the board, which is why his 2.69 FIP and 2.53 SIERA were far better than his ERA.
That’s not to say that the Padres should consider such a performance from Morejón to be likely, but it demonstrates the proverbial pot of gold they could chase. Crochet is now a borderline ace and he will likely be the top trade candidate of this offseason, with the White Sox looking at bringing back a king’s ransom in terms of young prospects.
Morejón threw five different pitches in 2024, suggesting there’s potentially still a starter’s repertoire in there, without him relying on any one pitch too much. His sinker, slider and four-seamer were all thrown between 23 and 36% of the time, while he also sprinkled in a splitter 7.6% of the time and a sweeper at a 2.6% clip. That helped him avoid the extreme splits that can often doom a pitcher to a specialized relief role. Lefties hit .255/.303/.367 off Morejón this year while righties were only slightly better at .257/.321/.405.
Due to Morejón spending so much time on the IL, he has managed to accrue more than four years of major league service time. That means that, despite his limited track record, he’s slated for free agency after 2026. But the missed time has also prevented him from increasing his earning power. He made $850K this year, barely above the $740K league minimum. MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projects him for a modest bump to $1.8MM in 2025. He’d be able to secure one more arbitration raise for 2026 before hitting the open market.
That price point is important for the Padres. Due in part to the collapse of their broadcast deal with Diamond Sports Group, the club had to cut the payroll last winter. They flipped Juan Soto to the Yankees to help them duck under the competitive balance tax while also adding some needed starting pitching depth.
Starting pitching is again a concern for the Friars going into 2025, with the recent news that Joe Musgrove is set to miss all of next year recovering from Tommy John surgery. Michael King, Dylan Cease and Yu Darvish give the club a strong front three but they have question marks at the back end. Matt Waldron had a 3.71 ERA in the first half but an ugly 8.10 ERA in the second half. Randy Vásquez had a 4.87 ERA this year but with a tepid 14.4% strikeout rate and he also had an 8.21 ERA in his Triple-A starts. Musgrove will hopefully be back by 2026 but King and Cease are both slated for free agency after 2025, meaning there’s even less certainty in the future.
Improving the rotation will undoubtedly be a focus for president of baseball operations A.J. Preller this winter but the budget might again be an issue. The Friars already have an estimated $231MM CBT number for next year, according to RosterResource, just shy of next year’s $241MM base threshold. Assuming the club wants to avoid the tax again in 2025, that doesn’t give Preller a lot to work with and even back-end starters often get eight-figure deals in free agency. Last winter, Kyle Gibson got $13MM on a one-year deal, Lance Lynn got $11MM, Wade Miley and Alex Wood each got $8.5MM while Martín Pérez got $8MM.
In addition to filling out the rotation, Preller will be looking to replace lost offensive production. Each of Jurickson Profar, Ha-Seong Kim, Donovan Solano, David Peralta and Kyle Higashioka are slated to reach free agency, putting some notable dents in the lineup.
Given the club’s tight budget and long to-do list, it would be a great solution if Morejón could become a starter next year. That would be far cheaper than filling a rotation spot via the open market. There’s also the trade market but the Padres have sent out a lot of prospects in recent years and would probably love to avoid doing more of that, if possible.
But despite all the attraction of Morejón jumping into the rotation, there’s also the risk of another injury cropping up. In that scenario, it’s entirely possible that the Padres fall short of upgrading the rotation and also subtract a key lefty from the bullpen mix.
What do you think the Padres should do? Give him a shot at the rotation or stick with what’s working? Have your say in the poll below!
No. Resign Perez possibly Chase kikuchi
Money is the issue here. Padres new ownership clearly wants to stay under the tax. Going to be interesting. Could see some salary relief moves to start just like last offseason. Luis traded, see if anybody will take Crones contract etc.
I’m sorry, am I missing something? Where has it been stated that the Padres wish to stay under the 1st CBT line?
New ownership came in and immediately cut spending below the tax.
They reset the CBT in ’24 to lessen future penalties.
Possible but ownership has not said that either. Plus, SD is a rare case in that they are technically a “small market” that spends big, so they would still receive revenue sharing unless they exceed the cbt. Receiving a check versus writing one is a motivational dynamic to consider.
We also know they borrowed money to meet payroll 2 years ago. Nobody has seen the books but where there is smoke…
Nobody has said they won’t go over the tax line this year. The only article I’ve seen about spending was Kevin Acee’s. Which said they are “committed” to a payroll closer to 24 than the 23 season. For whatever that’s worth.
This offseason will tell us a lot about the padres current ownership. At this point we don’t even know who the primary owner is outside of saying the Seidler family.
I’m sorry Jeremy, but they absolutely did NOT borrow money for payroll. 2023’s payroll was already PIF before that loan made news. Unfortunately, the media kept regurgitating the “payroll” myth, but that loan was for a planned Petco expansion.
*Gallagher Square*
Bottomline, my hunch says they will not be shy of going over for extenuating circumstances. Cheers brah
Clearly, a team 3rd in MLB attendance last 2 years is hardly small market.
Tv reach is what determines market size, not attendance.
So the reporting was inaccurate? What I read was SD borrowed $100m in 2 tranches to meet payroll and MLB, behind the owners, halted the loan citing excessive debt/revenue. Inevitably it went through but SD immediately began cleaning financial house after and was officially below the cbt in 2024. Cheers man, enjoy the weekend.
There was inaccurate and accurate reporting on WHY they borrowed $ Jeremy. I go with what FO said, and then acted on. The Padres are not hurting financially.
Small market teams aren’t drawing 43,000 people per game. Regardless of market size, FO has made clear statements of their commitment, and they are a top 15 payroll team and that’s what matters when discussing payroll?
Don’t confuse brain fog with smoke
The SD market is defined as a small market team by mlb. That designation carries several implications under the cba in relation to revenue sharing, drafting, international pool allocation and free agency. Attendance is irrelevant it’s based on market size.
@Jeremy The article, and your comments above, suggest that Padres payroll is linked to market size. If attendance is irrelevant to the mlb definition of “market size”, then market size is just as irrelevant to a team’s long-term commitment to payroll. Can you accept that? And since the article suggests reasons why the Padres would move Morejon back to a SP as somehow being driven by cost-savings and the perception by some about limitations on the Padres 2025 payroll, why are we discussing mlb’s definition of market size? You and I both don’t know what the Padres payroll will be in 2025.
Good talks gentlemen, and I’ve got a busy Saturday (…maybe even Home Depot… we can be best friends if you get the reference!) so I’ll keep this short(er)…
Yes, in late September (note the timing, as payroll has already been cut by this time…) the Pads were approved for a $100MM loan but Manfred knocked it down to $50MM due to the Debt Service Rule (DSR) in the CBA.
The DSR states that “No Club may maintain more Total Club Debt than can reasonably be supported by its EBITDA”- a referrence to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
Basically just some legal mumbo-jumbo to ensure the League has oversight over any perceived debt.
The Rangers had some similar issues last year, but the Padres story gained steam when Dodger mouthpiece Ken Rosenthal suggested that it “could be for payroll” which was far from the truth. In his defense, he was speculating because the Pads (Greupner specifically) didn’t flatout tell him what it was for. Rosie dropped his “reporter’s take” and the media ran with it. Somewhat frivolous or perhaps even lazy, but harmless nonetheless.
Now we might ask ourselves “why would the Pads require a loan?” and the answer, unfortunately, I’m somewhat reticent to share, but
Mr. Seidler was unavailable, or better yet, was “not to be bothered at that time” due to personal issues that I think we can all piece together. RIP PS
Fast forward to today, and I think Gallagher Square is pretty awesome. I was moved to tears the first time I saw the Tony Gwynn tribute under the bridge and really enjoy the perch up by (my coach) Tony’s statue. I make it a point to visit him every game I go to and the family enjoys the tradition as well!
Gotta go, you guys have a wonderful weekend and we can always chat more later!
Go Pads
The padres stated at the time of the loan they would need it at some point. For what they never said. Yes that article started a trend that the padres are broke.
Their ceo has said this month that the padres are in a good financial situation.
What that means as far as their payroll in 2025 nobody knows.
The Padres were not sold. As far as I know, they are still owned by the same people. The estate of Peter Seidler meaning Sheel Seidler, his brothers and cousins. No change there.
The Padres have not been a team that recieved revenue sharing since 2021, so “technically” they are a top revenue team. That is why they are able to spend. Teams can exceed the CBT and still recieve revenue sharing. Those two things are not mutually exclusive.
It’s based on revenue. Something that other than the two publicly traded teams the public doesn’t get to see. The Padres are in the revenue paying group and have been since the 2022 season.
Yes he put the team in a trust but we don’t know who actually from the ownership group has a controlling interest. Sheel, his kids, his brothers. Peter through his investments into the team created the revenue they currently have. We shall see if the current group will continue to push the team forward. I know they have said they will publicly, this offseason we shall see if they will financially.
Simm, 2024’s CBT payroll was $231 million. 2023 was $291 million. Padres could hit $250s and still be closer to 2024 than 2023.
Padres current ownership is the Padres previous ownership. Its still the Seidler and O’Malley clan.
Padres do not receive a revenue sharing check or draft pick. They are not a small market team in terms of revenue.
They used to, not anymore
Same group minus Peter. That’s a big difference until shown otherwise.
The Padres front person Eric Kutsenda said in his 1st public press conference that Sheel Seidler controlled Peter Seidler’s trust and had asked him to run the Padres in her stead while she mourned the loss of her husband and father of their young children. By way of having control of the trust, she has controlling interest in the Padres.
I must have missed that but it would make sense.
I haven’t seen any reports on the MLB approving whoever is the next controlling owner. Kutsenda was considered a placeholder until a new controlling owner could be approved by MLB.
It’s been a year I wonder if we will see something on this soon.
@Simm I agree that this year will be a better reflection than last as to how restricted spending will be post PS. It will take a lot of effort (and sacrifice of talent) to stay under the CBT this year, given the team has a legit shot to compete for WS again, and the penalty for going over CBT is small (thanks to reset). Plus, some significant money comes off the books in 2026 making it again possible to get back under the CBT if they need to. Like you, I’m watching this closely, and if they hold back and stay under CBT, it will perhaps be very telling.
Would love to move Xander and cash back to Boston
X will be fine, preferably at 2B. ¡Calmate gueys!
He’s been hurt nearly the entire time as a Padre, Would be good to have him healthy. Till then, I reserve judgement on the contract and him as a ballplayer.
Step 1: Ask Niebla if he thinks it’s possible in the same manner that it was for Seth Lugo and Michael King
Step 2: Listen to Niebla
Step 1 would be resign Niebla first as his contract is over
Bears – I too would defer to Niebla yet his history as a SP does not give one hope of success in going back. I don’t think the Lugo / King comps are good due to the injury history for so many years now with AM. Also, as now he is the LH guy in BP to replace Scott and he was a success in his BP role in 24.
Leaving him fixes a hole in BP (a lot candidates to take his role as he moves up to later innings).
It’s more likely that he succeeds in 8th inning role for 60-65 innings than going back to SP hoping for 125-150 injury free innings as a 4.00 ERA guy.
Trying to make him a SP exposes both the BP and the rotation – if injured again or ineffective.
There are more than a few mid-range 4/5 candidates in FA even if a Snell type isn’t signed.
Maybe a Manea reunion? Kikuchi or go lower with a cheap deal on Martinez. Although a righty, I like a Wacha reunion.
As far as money for AM – back end relievers that are healthy and effective get paid more than continuously injured SP that can’t exceed 65 innings – unless you are a 38 year old Clayton Kershaw!
Leave well enough alone and hope for 8th inning success is my bottom line but again, defer to the guys getting paid to make those decisions.
Morejon injury history is the biggest concern.
I also think going from 63 innings to say 160-180 innings is a problem.
Could I see the padres doing this, perhaps. Though I voted no because I don’t see it more likely than him being in the pen. The only way I see it happening is if the padres decide not to spend any money.
Simm, I’m sure it is being discussed. I can’t see a world where the padres don’t add a SP of some caliber to try first.
Pérez should be an option for low dollars.
They have bigger problems to worry about. Like all of those terrible contracts.
Getting starting pitcher usage out of a $1.8 million arb player is exactly how you help offset terrible contracts, though…
Or you can have a 800,000 pre-arb CF. A $2 mil C like Higgy with a pre-arb Campy as backup (hoping for breakout) doesn’t hurt.
A 1.8 mil arb 8th inning guy as opposed to a 6-7 mil guy isn’t a bad plan if it keeps him healthy and effective for the entire season.
Having a 1.8 mil pre-arb SP go on IL doesn’t help anything.
Well hopefully ohtani finds another fall guy for his gambling addiction.
Haha deep state
Ohtani is content having the Padres as fall guys for his baseball addiction.
So still no fall guy for his next gambling escapade huh? Well hopefully he doesn’t get caught again. It’s illegal in California. He’s already tax dodging the Feds and state of CA. They’ll only look away so often on stuff.
Try dealing with facts instead of your wishful fantasy.
They’re eating the dogs. They’re eating the cats. They’re eating the pets. Of the people who live. There.
They should be eating the morons.
Facts like CA senator Josh Becker back in April 2024 wrote legislation to close an obscure tax loophole ohtani used to avoid paying 90 million in state taxes?
Yeah that’s called tax dodging. Facts hurt I know.
sd13.senate.ca.gov/news/press-release/april-10-202…
You’d be the first to go if they were eating morons. If they were looking for brains like zombies they’d walk right past you.
Nonsense. The only thing Americans are required to do irt the tax laws, is to obey them. The feds have always had stupid rules. You are supposed to take advantage of them.
Interesting you felt the need to respond to that moron remark. Wonder why you felt it was aimed at you. A typical high level post from you. Well done.
I agree whole heartedly Joe.
But if you’re already tax dodging for 90 mill and however much in fee taxes last thinking do is get caught doing something like illegal gambling as well.
Hence why ohtani needs another fall guy. Brocker might be just the rube ohtanis looking for.
Before 2024 Othani had earn less than 40 MM. How he avoid paying 90 MM?
Signs 20 year 700 mill contract
Dodgers aren’t paying him during his playing days. They’re paying him like 2 mill.
When contract ends and he heads back to Japan dodgers will still be playing him but since He’ll be living in Japan not CA he will avoid paying full taxes to the tune of 90 or so.
Ok, but you are not saying is avoiding a tax he has not earn until 2034? who knows where he is goin to live?
But if you’re already tax dodging for 90 mill
=====================
This is not a new issue. NYS taxes teachers pension benefits at the time they re earned, rather than the time they are received. That’s because so many teachers would leave NYS for low-tax venues like Delaware and Florida after they retired.
Almost no one has the ability to defer 95% of their salary, but this has always been around.
A typical post from you. Your posts speak volumes about the kind of person you are.
Deferring salary from 2024-2034 is avoiding taxes when during 2024-2034.
Here you go. Some fun reading
sd13.senate.ca.gov/news/press-release/april-10-202…
So jock strap it is? Knew it brocker
Yeah yeah troll. Go be special somewhere else.
Pensions are different. Pensions or retirement accounts like an Ira or 401k accrue money post taxes. You worked. You paid taxes on your earnings. Money after taxes are paid is then sent to the pension in many instances. It’s tax free to contribute because you already paid taxes on that income used to increase the pensions value. You pay taxes afterwards because the pension accursed interest which is additional money you didn’t pay taxes on initially.
Taking your entire paycheck, not paying any taxes on it cause you didn’t “receive” any income, and putting it into a savings account set up by your job, isn’t the same as a pension. Not even close.
Pensions or retirement accounts like an Ira or 401k accrue money post taxes.
==========================
Contributions into pension plans & 401k’s are made pre-tax. That’s what makes your entire drawdown subject to tax. Same with Social security
If you earn $100,000 and contribute $10,000 into a 401k, your taxable income that year is only $90,000.
People contribute post tax amounts to pensions ira 401ks
fidelity.com/viewpoints/retirement/401k-contributi…
If you’re talking about pre tax amounts yes. Thats also based on income where you receive a paycheck
However you choose to add to your retirement accounts you receive a check pre or post tax. Ohtani isn’t receiving his salary. It’s deferred. No person anyways defers salary esp the amount ohtani did.
Hence why it’s tax dodging. You and I get paid and pay taxes on our earnings. We don’t defer salary and opt of taxes by doing so.
So your analogy doesn’t really fit.
Teachers paying taxes on 100% of income and adding pre or post tax amounts to their retirements isn’t the same as ohtani not receiving his salary to avoid taxes on it.
You do realize it is legal to gamble for baseball players? They are not allowed to bet on baseball. None of those bets were on baseball. Not sure why a fall guy would even be needed in your fake scenario. Do think someone is going to jail solely for PR purposes for a better part of a decade?
Mets making a fight of it. Was at Citi for all 3. Fun.
You can’t count them at this year. Hopefully they keep making it exciting and give us a game 7.
Not in ca. Vegas sure. Not ca. Baseball rules don’t supersede state or fed laws.
You wouldn’t do 10 for a massive payday once you’re out? 10 years for life changing money seems like a desl ppl would take.
Btw doesn’t ohtani start collecting in 10 years? Strange coincidences
Much as everyone loves a game 7 ending it tomorrow is what the world needs. My world anyway. Best of luck.
Gambling in California is a misdemeanor. I don’t think they are even prosecuting misdemeanors. I’m sure the government colluded to send someone to jail for a long time so they didn’t have to prosecute a misdemeanor that nobody cares about.
Swing and a miss. It can be a misdemeanor or felony in CA
Felony
A defendant could face up to three years in prison, felony probation, and a fine of up to $5,000. For a second or recurring offense, the fine could be up to $10,000.
Circumstances determine misdemeanor or felony.
Wanna take an educated guess which type an illegal underground gambling ring operating in the millions of dollars would fetch? Hint: the answer isn’t misdemeanor. Another hint: the feds were involved in shutting down the ring.
Start with the IRS. How much of the millions that they received from Ohtani did they pay tax on?
Then there is wire fraud. The bookie had to know that Ippie was NOT paying off millions of dollars in gambling debt on his $200k salary.
Get rid of the ice cream uniform 1st
Ice cream!
Mahomie, Snoop and Kevin Hart. Are there any ads they’re not in? And then they’re all together!
He did the shimmy-shimmy-shake like he was chasing an ice cream truck.
Right? And then you can’t unsee that until 80s Flo and Jamie flashback saves you at the next break
If Morejon is a starter, buy a ticket in the outfield when he pitches and bring a glove.
As a giants fan, morejon has looked more impressive in short stints out of the pen. But if you have need in the rotation and a player who’s willing I could see it either way. I think from what I’ve seen of him in action, he’s more effective in small doses.
5TUNT1N;
Stating pitching in MLB has changed. The last I saw the average start in 2024 was 5-1/3’rd innings. That’s going to continue to come down.
We saw with the Tigers and Guardians success in 2024 how effective a deep bullpen can be. And of course it’s cheaper, which is a major consideration of small market teams, or teams facing payroll issues.
If Morejon can start or even be a bulk pitcher (following an opener) for 3-4 innings. then it’s a cost-effective possibility. He doesn’t have to pitch 6-7 innings a start. And that will go for all bottom of the rotation pitchers in the next few years.
I don’t disagree as a giants fan I’ve seen more bullpen games than any fan should have to. It’s ok in spot situations or when someone falls out of the rotation. And I could see 3x 3 inning pitchers all going through 1 rotation at best. Seems the best role for these guys is coming in after an opener going about 1-2x thru lineup and closing the game regularly.
Yes
A starter that is capable of going 5~6 ins has so much added value
Hoping Dodgers revert Grove back to a starter next year in the same mold
Yes. Need a lefty starter, and not going to bring back snell. Perez would be more of a wildcard than Morejon
Maybe
Yeah I know. Way too many nicknames are just taking the first syllable of the last name and adding a Y. Jones = Jonesy, Anderson = Andy etc. I miss the creativity of newspapermen doling out The Splendid Splinter, The Sultan of Swat, Charlie Hustle, and too many others to name.
If it isn’t broke don’t fix it! Also signing a random free agent lefty would be better
Shoot you don’t even have to have a lefty starter on your team
As the article states, it’s about budget. If the Padres are $ constrained, it’s worth a shot. I recall in 2020 that he was supposed to really be something but injuries to Clevinger and the other fellow pushed guys like him and Weathers into roles they weren’t ready for, and probably harmed their development. Now that he’s back on the beam, might be nice to see if he can reach his potential.
It’s a simple fix really. Have Machado or Boegarts, or both, rework their contracts and defer a bulk of their money 10 years out. Voila! Money to fill all the holes in the lineup and rotation.
Scream_name;
Besides sounding like the US Government, you hit on why Scott Boras will not deal with GM’s / PoBO’s for his top clients. Rather
he goes straight to the owners to negotiate.
GM’s / PoBO’s will come and go. But if the owners dont stay
Mr. Boras assures that his clients contractual interests will be
carried out if the franchise is sold.
Why would either agree to that? They have guaranteed money in place. Deferring only allows inflation to erode that value. You would need to take on more money to off-set. At this point both those contracts are sunk, best to take your medicine and not bite your glass. Machado is at least still productive. Bogarts is the worst contract in mlb. Both have full ntc, as well.
Bogey isn’t even in the Top 10 worst contract, imho.
Carlos Correa $36MM per
Trevor Story $22.5MM
Robbie Ray $25MM
Benitendi $16.5MM
Trout $35.5MM
deGrom $40MM
Javi Baez $25MM
Kris Bryant $28MM
Rendon $38MM
Strasburg IMHO.
Granted, not the pinnacle picture of health here… but I’d take Bogey’s $25MM/YY any day over that list.
Sidenote: why do we care what player’s make? We’re not paying the bill, nor does it affect our life.
Bogarts is under contract through 2033. It’s easily the worst contract in baseball.
Agree to disagree. We can revisit your statement in 5 years, until then… cheers J!
The Bogaerts contract is dreadful, already.
The big issue with Xanders contract is the length. Dude is going to get paid until he is like 41.
The padres would never sign that deal if they could have a redo. It may not be the worse contract in baseball but he will need to rebound next year or it will be looking extremely bad going forward.
$200MM to Correa>>$280MM to Bogey. Bogaerts will be DFA’d years before his deal runs out.
The padres in a heart beat would take Degrom over Bogaerts. Carlos Correa was good last year. Trout is an all time Icon. They are not even in the same stratosphere as how bad Boegarts contract is.
Ohtani draws a paycheck thru 2043, I’m sure he’ll still be playing excellently then
He’s only one more TJ surgery away from being the most expensive DH
Jealousy and hate are so becoming.
Gwynning
8 hours ago
Bogey isn’t even in the Top 10 worst contract, imho.
Carlos Correa $36MM per
Trevor Story $22.5MM
Robbie Ray $25MM
Benitendi $16.5MM
Trout $35.5MM
Sidenote: why do we care what player’s make? We’re not paying the bill, nor does it affect our life.
========================
On some of those, you aren’t considering the full duration of the contract. There is almost no way that Bogaerts contract won’t be worse than Correa. After two years, Bogaerts has a 5.6 bWAR against Correa’s 5.1, for $16M less. So far so good. But now, SD owes Bogaerts $230M, while MN owes Correa only $35M.
IRT your last line, I couldn’t care less whether Story of Henry are $22.5M richer or poorer. But I do care about which FAs the RS sign this off-season. And another $22.5M to spend would be extremely welcome.
Fair take, JB… and I was myopically focused on ’24, not grand totals. I see your point(s), but I’m insistent on maintaining “present” value. We only live now, not 10 years from now. True, we all like to project, but the simple fact of the matter is none of us know how the contract will age. Will Bogey be an All Star every year and easily earn his contract? All likelihoods say no, but let’s give “tomorrow” a chance before we get through today. I understand perception though, and all points stated here are valid. I mentioned Trout because he basically got paid close to a milly a game this year. Bad contract, again, for ’24. Future HOFer? Perhaps, but bad contract. Again, why do we care though? Every FO and Owner “know” what they’re doing (ok that might be a stretch…) so it’s their responsibility to balance it out. That is, quite literally, their job. Solid points all around though!
@b it’s not jealousy, it’s called facts unless you been living under a rock for the last 6 yrs. He has a pretty good injury history with TJ in the past and elbow issues
The MLB will simply discount the deferrals to the present market value. Nothing will change.
I like the idea from what I know. Says he’s only 5 11 so that’s a durability concern but you could try it and then add a pitcher mid-season if it doesn’t work. They need a lefty starter.
One number as an answer – 65.1. That is Morejon’s career high in IP, back from 2018.
I’d never have a problem with More Jon
They should burn that jersey!
Darragh, the Padres had record attendance and revenue in 2023 and 2024. Their revenue was so good that they no longer receive revenue sharing checks or draft picks from the league. They are in the top 15 in the league and that means they are likely well above $400 million. They cut payroll for the same reason nearly every teams does, even teams like the Yankees and Dodgers, to dip under the CBT threshold.
Tim, what happened to your writers?
Pads, be fair. Darragh is much better than Nick.
Jes. We need more-jon in our lives, specially if it’s Lil Jon. Wot? Wot? Wot? Yeah yeah. Wot? Wot?
OKAYYYY!
Begin the season with Morejón as a starter and go with a pair of lefties in the pen. Things tend to work themselves out by mid season. Hopefully, Musgrove can slot into the rotation in September and the Padres with have a full complement of starters in time for the playoffs, provided they all remain healthy. Keep developing starters on the farm and don’t get trigger happy by dealing that depth away for marginally better rentals.
Musgrove will not be back in September. You will see him again in 2026.
The one thing the Padres FO has done exceptionally well is draft and sign prospects and then trade them away for proven players. I can’t think of one of them that was a rental or just marginally better.
I thought El Gato was a great nickname.
Question. Are there any teams that don’t have question marks at the backend of their rotation? Even the $300 million teams like the Yankees and Dodgers do, so if any, who?
No, not many. Maybe none. I’ll add that few teams have locked up for 2025 a SP 1-3 core as capable as King, Cease and Darvish. I suspect they will add one more SP (preferably a lefty and maybe a really good one) via trade this off-season, and let Vasquez, Waldron, Brito and perhaps Baez compete for the 5th (and maybe 6th) spot.
Poll is not working. My answer is no. He is far more valuable in the 7-8th inning than picking up 100-120 IP as a starter with a 4+ ERA.