Padres (and MLB) 2021 Hot Stove thread

[Fender57]

Decided to start a new thread to discuss off season moves. Here’s another prediction, each team’s perfect free agent. This writer picks Liam Hendriks for the Padres.

Each team's perfect free agent to sign

With the 2020 season behind us, it’s time for the Hot Stove to simmer. Front offices are searching for the ideal tonic for whatever ails their club, while agents look for the best landing spots for their clients. We know that most teams will look to fill a number of

www.mlb.com

 

[Fender57]

Predicting the Padres opening day roster. I hope they can bring back Profar to play LF (Pham can DH) and a closer and a solid starting pitcher is needed to close the gap.

Predicting Padres' 2021 Opening Day roster

In 2020, the Padres built a playoff-caliber roster. In ’21, they think they’ve pushed it toward championship caliber. "We made some steps, but we didn't ultimately get to our goal," manager Jayce Tingler said of San Diego's breakthrough. "The front office addressed some needs that we think are...

www.mlb.com

 

[Gill Man]

sounds like they are saying both Rosenthal and Yates will be gone. Um, that doesn't sound like the Padres attempting to do whatever it takes to win. Jeebus H.
Why not make Stammen the closer like Acee suggested???? LMAO. Unless the Dogs do a complete collapse this roster is no better than a 2nd place team IMO. If that. maybe the biggest need is for a great manager.

 

[TTK]

Pomeranz could and should be the closer IMO. But then that hurts the depth and they lose a great set-up guy. We'll have to hope Pagan returns to his old form. Maybe a season adjusting to the NL will help?

 

[Gill Man]

Pomeranz could and should be the closer IMO. But then that hurts the depth and they lose a great set-up guy. We'll have to hope Pagan returns to his old form. Maybe a season adjusting to the NL will help?

I like him as a setup guy better I think. Has he been a closer in the past? He's a tough guy so maybe you are right.....the guy was money almost every time he pitched. I like to get a guy like Pomeranz to go a couple of innings if needed prior to another lockdown pitcher. I guess we don't really know if Yates returns to form after a year off for injury. Rosenthal appeared to have it although at least one occasion he choked. So maybe Pomeranz will be the closer. Now we need a setup guy.

BTW what is the deal with the Campusano arrest for weed? The list did not include Castro so assuming Campusano is good to go without suspension. Mejia still on the list.

 

[Fender57]

I think the list is not projecting additions to the roster. Pom cannot be the only closer option. They need a bonafide closer to compliment Pom. They also cannot settle on the rotation as is, a proven veteran, non-injured arm has to be added. Or they can forget about winning the NL West.

 

[Gill Man]

I think the list is not projecting additions to the roster. Pom cannot be the only closer option. They need a bonafide closer to compliment Pom. They also cannot settle on the rotation as is, a proven veteran, non-injured arm has to be added. Or they can forget about winning the NL West.

agreed. The pitching rotation , other than patino is exactly as last year which proved to be unreliable. I mean it was fine in relation to prior years , in fact actually competitive and good when all healthy, but that was the problem,,,,,,they were rarely all available. 80% with TJ history is not good. You compare our entire pitching staff to the Dogs and it's not close. Whenever you put a team together you always look at your main division competition. Al Davis was famous for having done that in the Raider glory years. The problem I see is we cannot outspend or come close to spending like the Dogs. So unless our farm system produced more Tatis type talent and in pretty good size #'s , we better plan on being second or worse. Also, manager, manager, manager. Not sold at all on Tinker. Same goes for Preller. But I can see those who say we are a hell of a lot better than the destitute years. Funny, that was always the rationalizion for a bunch of , if not most, chug fans in SD when they clung to assjack smith's balls all those years. LOL. I never did get on board with that second rate losing attitude. Relative to what????? LOL.

 

[Fender57]

agreed. The pitching rotation , other than patino is exactly as last year which proved to be unreliable. I mean it was fine in relation to prior years , in fact actually competitive and good when all healthy, but that was the problem,,,,,,they were rarely all available. 80% with TJ history is not good. You compare our entire pitching staff to the Dogs and it's not close. Whenever you put a team together you always look at your main division competition. Al Davis was famous for having done that in the Raider glory years. The problem I see is we cannot outspend or come close to spending like the Dogs. So unless our farm system produced more Tatis type talent and in pretty good size #'s , we better plan on being second or worse. Also, manager, manager, manager. Not sold at all on Tinker. Same goes for Preller. But I can see those who say we are a hell of a lot better than the destitute years. Funny, that was always the rationalizion for a bunch of , if not most, chug fans in SD when they clung to assjack smith's balls all those years. LOL. I never did get on board with that second rate losing attitude. Relative to what????? LOL.

While people are correct with this squad being better, their owner Fowler promised a championship and I believe he was being sincere, he strikes me as a guy who is like us, a guy who is sick of San Diego always coming up with the short end of the stick. But he’s not ruthless like Steinbrenner, old George would not be happy with this season and Preller/Tingler would be on the hot seat. Money wise they can’t compete with the dogs, so Preller needs to live up to his “hot talent lava” rep. I think we’re starting to find out all that lava was hype (he got lucky acquiring Tatis), unless Gore steps up like his rep has made him out to be we’re going to have to settle for Trader AJ and that has resulted in mixed results.

 

[Gill Man]

While people are correct with this squad being better, their owner Fowler promised a championship and I believe he was being sincere, he strikes me as a guy who is like us, a guy who is sick of San Diego always coming up with the short end of the stick. But he’s not ruthless like Steinbrenner, old George would not be happy with this season and Preller/Tingler would be on the hot seat. Money wise they can’t compete with the dogs, so Preller needs to live up to his “hot talent lava” rep. I think we’re starting to find out all that lava was hype (he got lucky acquiring Tatis), unless Gore steps up like his rep has made him out to be we’re going to have to settle for Trader AJ and that has resulted in mixed results.

Yup hopefully those 2 are on the hot seat. Agree Gore will bear watching bigtime this year. It's this year or the lava was all a bunch of hot air.

 

[TTK]

As much as I'm not completely sold on Tingler, how can he be on the hot seat? He won a series in the playoffs and was out his two best starters against the Dodgers, who won it all. He should be given the benefit of the doubt for now.

 

[Gill Man]

As much as I'm not completely sold on Tingler, how can he be on the hot seat? He won a series in the playoffs and was out his two best starters against the Dodgers, who won it all. He should be given the benefit of the doubt for now.

I would say you have a point but the other point Fender was making is an owner like Steinbrenner would not have had that type of patience. It's apples and oranges, no pun intended

 

[Fender57]

As much as I'm not completely sold on Tingler, how can he be on the hot seat? He won a series in the playoffs and was out his two best starters against the Dodgers, who won it all. He should be given the benefit of the doubt for now.

I would say you have a point but the other point Fender was making is an owner like Steinbrenner would not have had that type of patience. It's apples and oranges, no pun intended

Exactly, it’s a hypothetical scenario that illustrates the difference between a bridesmaid and a bride. Tingler is not on the hot seat, and neither is Preller. But we are not up to the level of the Dodgers and I am not seeing a clear path on how the Pads get there. I anxiously await the next moves of Preller and despite what I’m pointing out, I am optimistic about 2021 right now.

 

[TTK]

I don't think changing managers every year is the answer.

 

[Fender57]

I don't think changing managers every year is the answer.

It’s not, I didn’t intend on making a statement that he was on the hot seat, I just pointed out how Steinbrenner put pressure on his club because he wanted to be the champ. The other side of it was George spared no expense getting the players needed. I understand that Fowler isn’t in the same position as LA’s ownership or even Steinbrenner. With the exception of the Ray Kroc era we’ve never been able to compete with the upper tier of teams in regards to free agency. But, if Preller/Tingler were on the Steinbrenner Yanks and they were swept by the Red Sox they most definitely would be on the hot seat. Right or wrong.

 

[Gill Man]

It’s not, I didn’t intend on making a statement that he was on the hot seat, I just pointed out how Steinbrenner put pressure on his club because he wanted to be the champ. The other side of it was George spared no expense getting the players needed. I understand that Fowler isn’t in the same position as LA’s ownership or even Steinbrenner. With the exception of the Ray Kroc era we’ve never been able to compete with the upper tier of teams in regards to free agency. But, if Preller/Tingler were on the Steinbrenner Yanks and they were swept by the Red Sox they most definitely would be on the hot seat. Right or wrong.

To put it differently being a Padres fan is about 10x better than being a Spanos fan but about half as likely to win anything as a Dog fan. Ray Kroc, now there was a guy who couldn't stand to lose. Remember when he berated the team from the stands?? LMAO. Really, that culture is the only way to win, you have to have management AND fans who wont' accept mediocrity year after year. You gotta get to the point where you EXPECT to win....like the Patriots when Brady was there or the Yanks, RedSox, and as much as I hate to day it...the Dogs. Anything less for them is a failed year.

After the era of constant winning in Oakland/LA, the Raider fans started flipping off Al Davis from the stands LOLOLOL. They were conditioned to win every year and then it got so bad they turned on Davis. Now I don't know what the hell they are......NFL has turned into a corporate mess. Only a few baseball teams are conditioned to win all the time. Sports is actually kind of boring that way.

But here in SD all we can do is hope maybe this year will be different. They tell us it will be. But seeing is believing. I don't see it yet.

 

[Fender57]

Ray Kroc, now there was a guy who couldn't stand to lose. Remember when he berated the team from the stands?? LMAO

That was in the seventh inning of the opening game of the 1974 season, his very first game as Padres owner! What a guy. Too bad he never got to see them in the 84 Series. My dad too. Both Kroc and my dad died in 1984, my dad used to say “all I want to see is the Padres in the World Series”.

 

[Gill Man]

That was in the seventh inning of the opening game of the 1974 season, his very first game as Padres owner! What a guy. Too bad he never got to see them in the 84 Series. My dad too. Both Kroc and my dad died in 1984, my dad used to say “all I want to see is the Padres in the World Series”.

Geez, sorry to hear about that Fender. Yeah I sort of know the feeling, my dad and mom and family would attend all the Charger games and was hoping my dad would get to see them win a championship as he had not seen one since he took me to the AFL Championship in 63. Was not to be however and was planning to take a SB hat to his grave but Spanos ended that hope. Sucks.

 

[Fender57]

Interesting assessment here. Based on WAR, the Padres roster ranks second in MLB. Also interesting they consider 1B to be their biggest hole.

Every team's roster right now, ranked

It's been barely more than a week since the Dodgers beat the Rays in six games to take the World Series, and so looking ahead to 2021, you might think that each of those teams are well-positioned to succeed once again. After all, they were the No. 1 seeds in

www.mlb.com

 

[Gill Man]

yeah very interesting mlb.com article. I think they are wrong about Hos though at 1st base. Remember he was tearing it up until he got the finger fracture. I don't think he ever got back to himself after that point and that really hurt us in the playoffs bigtime. I think those pundits are looking at the stretch and playoffs only. Mistake. We'll see. But if true and he continues as the player in the playoffs we got a big problem because of his contract. Maybe we should keep Lessland!!!! LMAO

 

[Fender57]

yeah very interesting mlb.com article. I think they are wrong about Hos though at 1st base. Remember he was tearing it up until he got the finger fracture. I don't think he ever got back to himself after that point and that really hurt us in the playoffs bigtime. I think those pundits are looking at the stretch and playoffs only. Mistake. We'll see. But if true and he continues as the player in the playoffs we got a big problem because of his contract. Maybe we should keep Lessland!!!! LMAO

It looks like they’re looking at his WAR numbers. I don’t know much about WAR numbers but I imagine his injury played into the lower numbers. Wonder what his WAR was pre-injury?

 

[Gill Man]

It looks like they’re looking at his WAR numbers. I don’t know much about WAR numbers but I imagine his injury played into the lower numbers. Wonder what his WAR was pre-injury?

I don't know much about the WAR methodology and when and how those are calculated. All I know is it seemed as if Hos was really productive pre injury IIRC. I'd have to see the #'s pre and post-injury. Maybe they are right. I'm hoping not as I said, that huge contract would be a bummer if he continues to underperform as he did in the playoffs and post finger fx. Will probably have to wait til the start of the next season to see if he rebounds from that......if he had ANY lingering pain or weakness in a finger, there is no way he bats 100% effectively, and then it starts to affect him psychologically too. My bet is he bounces back this year.

 

[Fender57]

Cronenworth ties for second in the ROY voting.

Padres' Jake Cronenworth ties for second in Rookie of Year voting

Padres second baseman tied with Phillies' Alec Bohm behind winner Devin Williams of the Brewers

www.sandiegouniontribune.com

 

[Gill Man]

Cronenworth ties for second in the ROY voting.

Padres' Jake Cronenworth ties for second in Rookie of Year voting

Padres second baseman tied with Phillies' Alec Bohm behind winner Devin Williams of the Brewers

www.sandiegouniontribune.com

was hoping he'd win but will take it, damn good rookie year!

 

[Fender57]

was hoping he'd win but will take it, damn good rookie year!

Yeah I’m glad we got him. But he got ripped off, fuckin writers.

 

[Fender57]

Jayce Tingler, second place for NL manager of the year (behind Don Mattingly).

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1326315945640382464

 

[Fender57]

Full story on NL and AL Managers of the year.

Cash, Mattingly net Manager of Year honors

Don Mattingly and Kevin Cash were honored as Major League Baseball’s 2020 Managers of the Year on Tuesday after seasons that tested and ultimately brought out the best in both men. Both won easily. Cash received 22 of 30 first-place AL votes by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America while

www.mlb.com

 

[Gill Man]

wasn't all that close 124-71 votes. But good for Tingler. Question is whether with all that talent they underperformed or overperformed.

 

[TTK]

wasn't all that close 124-71 votes. But good for Tingler. Question is whether with all that talent they underperformed or overperformed.

I would say just about right. The Pads wound up with the 2nd best record in the NL (3rd in MLB) but we were just unlucky to be in the same division as the Dodgers, otherwise we probably lose to them in the NLCS instead.

That being said, I hope we weren't fortunate to do well because of the shortened season. Can this team hold up for 162 games?

 

[Fender57]

Can this team hold up for 162 games?

Good question. We may not find out next year either.

 

[Fender57]

Third base coach Glenn Hoffman taking a new role with the team.

Bench coach Bobby Dickerson will be the new third base coach. I guess this opens up a spot for a bench coach. I have an idea. How about Dave Stewart?

Glenn Hoffman moving into new role with Padres

Team will have new third base coach for first time in 16 seasons as Hoffman becomes baseball ops adviser

www.sandiegouniontribune.com