As spring training nears, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world today:
1. When will the Padres execute a trade?
Over the weekend, it was reported that the Padres might have more payroll capacity this winter than initially believed, allowing them to avoid shedding salary below currently projected levels. With multiple holes in the lineup and rotation, however, making a trade or two still seems all but necessary in order to make budget space available for additions to the roster. Right-hander Dylan Cease has long appeared to be available this winter, with infielder Luis Arraez and closer Robert Suarez among the other pieces that have been under consideration for a trade. The Friars are now also said to have fielded some interest in right-hander Michael King. Given the number of teams still interested in adding to their rotation, dealing Cease or King would bring the largest return of the group. There’s no indication San Diego is expressly shopping either right-hander, but it’s only natural that both would draw wide interest with the Padres willing to entertain the possibility of a trade.
2. DFA resolution incoming:
Last week, the Mariners designated left-hander Tyler Jay for assignment after acquiring right-hander Will Klein in a trade with the A’s. Jay, 31 in April, made his big league debut in 2024 and with 7 2/3 innings of work between the Mets and Brewers. The southpaw was cut from the club’s 40-man a week ago to the day, and as such the one-week window for a DFA’d player to either be moved or clear waivers is closing. There should be an announcement regarding Jay’s future at some point today, whether that’s a waiver claim or him clearing waivers. If Jay clears waivers, he’ll have the opportunity to reject an outright assignment and test free agency after being outrighted earlier in his career.
3. MLBTR Chat Today:
With spring training just a couple of weeks away, we’re nearing the point where the baseball offseason starts to give way to preseason excitement even as major free agents remain unsigned and team needs remain unfulfilled. Whether you have questions about what’s left for your team to do this winter or a trade proposal in the back of your mind, MLBTR’s Steve Adams will be here to answer your questions during a live chat scheduled for 1pm CT. You can click here to ask a question in advance, join in live once the chat begins, or read the transcript once the chat is complete.
Fascinating world we live in where The Los Angeles (Tax) Dodgers can completely upend the MLB status quo with rumors of even more deferred money signings…and what is the lead story today? What will the Padres do?
I think San Diego is stuck in indecision more than anything. I can bet there’s a lot of debate in the front office whether to sell their impending free agents or go for it with them. They’ve always seemed to be sellers rather than a team that re signs these guys. I think the answer definitely would be to do what they did last year with Soto, sell but get back at least one player you can plug in now along with prospects.
Sal – Perhaps the Red Sox would trade Casas/Anthony for Cease or King.
Considering what they gave up for Crochet, the Padres are probably hoping for a similar haul from Breslow … especially when you look at what Cease and even King has done the past 3 years.
I’m not sure you guys should give up Anthony for either, but I’d do Casas plus another for one of them for sure. The other thing is what’s the plan post Casas if they fail to get Alonso or Bregman?
Sal – Devers to 1B would be the plan, if he can play it well.
And 3b?
Sal – Internal options would be Grissom or Campbell, external options would be Arenado, Moncada, Madrigal, Anderson.
Red Sox obviously don’t care about having no depth at positions, considering they traded Teel.
Yeah there’s always pause in me when you trade pieces with no obvious answers. I’d always rather have a guy on hand that for sure can play the position first.
Like my Yanks still need an infielder, but having DJ and Cabrera at least has guys that are more than capable of playing the positions even if their offense isn’t as hot.
But I do think the Sox have pieces to swing a deal, but would they with the rotation they already have?
Sal – I wouldn’t trade Casas or Anthony either, but the Sox have made it really clear they’d rather trade talent for pitching than pay for top free agent pitchers.
Yeah I could see them maybe trading Crawford, dude is gonna be 30 next year.
In an alternate world a Padres team with Soto beat the Dodgers in the 2024 NLCS. Incomprehensible tactics in that Padres Front Office, in my opinion.
Sorry, NLDS.
No you had it right. In that alternate world, Padres win 106 games, Dodgers get the 3rd WC and then the two don’t meet until the 2024 NLCS.
Lets – You’re assuming the Padres still beat the Braves without King and Higgy, that’s a big assumption.
Fever you’re right but it’s even more than that. Soto got them 300+ innings of pitching from King, Brito, and Vasquez, plus Thorpe which allowed them to get Cease. That trade allowed them to cover like 500 innings of pitching.
Keeping Soto would mean they don’t get the arms that covered over 1/3 of their total innings pitched last year and they wouldn’t have their top 2 starting pitchers. It’s a very different and much worse team in terms of pitching.
Which is why they need to keep both King and Cease this year and probably will. Though AJ never doesn’t listen to offers if he can improve the team.
Nichols – Excellent point, thank you!!
CNichols – You are exaggerating in my opinion. I admit that King was great for the Padres but I don’t believe that Brito and Vasques’ production couldn’t be acquired from somewhere else. Thorpe sure wasn’t a breaking point in the trade for Cease either.
Honest question here, but where would you have acquired players to pitch those 500 innings? Free agency? Different trades?
I disagree with the premise that Vasquez and Brito’s production at league minimum is just available anywhere, getting that on the open market would have been expensive, but even if we assume they are non factors, they would still need to replace Cease (#5 in MLB by fWAR for pitchers) and King (#11 in MLB by fWAR). I don’t see how you get 2 top of the rotation arms without giving up a major piece like Soto. Unless they have no budgetary restrictions at all it’s so much value to replace.
In an alternate world a Padres team without Soto or a Yankees team with him beats the Dodgers. In an alternate world the White Sox win the World Series. So much for alternate worlds….
Lets Go DBacks
In an alternate world a Padres team with Soto beat the Dodger
=======================
In that alternate universe, SD would have Soto, but not King, Cease, or Higgy, and would not have made the playoffs.
No daily update on the self inflicted Polar Bear Drama?
It’s early.
Lefty: I’m sure there will again be an overload of questions
about him in today’s chat:
Where is he likely to sign?
Who will sign him?
How many years?
How much money?
Hey, my team should sign him. He’d be a great fit.
Can’t wait.
I personally love the “…who says no?” trade scenarios.
@Lefty_Orioles_Fan
He’s going to play in Japan with Bauer.
Either I’m severely underestimating public interest in Tyler Jay, or today is the slowest news day.
It’s the daily (sometimes twice) are the Padres broke or not chitchat in MLBTR. Version January 28
@brew88. The padres have replaced the angels for click bait articles. Brace yourself for trolls
The Padres are the new Joe Adelle in the chats!
@longtimecoming. They Most likely look at the comments and views. They can post something on the marlins and you got atleast 15 comments about the football slider from the people on the special spectrum.
Best of luck to Tyler Jay.
He’s one of the few MLB players from my hometown.
I guess it’s a slow news day when a nobody like Tyler Jay’s DFA makes the list on The Opener.
It’s a sad moment in history when Tyler Jay, a nobody, makes the DFA list on The Opener when you yourself haven’t been on there, Bill. That’s quite embarrassing.
The Padres don’t need to “exercise a trade” at this point unless there is a deal they can’t turn down out there.
Sign Verdugo, and one of Rizzo/France/Turner. Sign Flaherty or spend less on a pair of Cal Quantrill/Spencer Turnbull types and get ready for next season
You’re assuming that the SDP don’t intend to duck under the cap this year.
Flaherty isn’t an option after his little tantrum in playoffs.
I think a reunion with a Rizzo or France and maybe Quantrill is a fair plan. Maybe even Peralta.
I’m ready to try Tirso for ST.