Those wondering whether the Padres will make a big move or two this winter still don’t have an answer, but indications are that the club is at least exploring the possibility of just that. Per Jon Heyman of Fancred, via Twitter, the San Diego organization has “checked in” on four prominent free agents.
Most notably, the Friars are said to have at least reached out to both Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, the top two available free agents. San Diego GM A.J. Preller has also put in calls regarding utility man Marwin Gonzalez and third baseman Mike Moustakas, per the report.
Importantly, it’s far from clear whether the Padres are a serious pursuer of any of these high-profile names. Indeed, Heyman says it’s not even known if any have received offers. And it stands to reason that the club will tread carefully.
Still, it bears mentioning that the Pads are among the organizations hunting around in these markets. Though we’ve heard some chatter on all four players throughout the winter, it’s entirely unclear at this point where they’ll end up.
It’s worth noting, of course, that Machado and Harper are in a different stratosphere altogether from Gonzalez and Moustakas. Landing one of the former two would be a franchise-altering decision that would come with huge consequences — and, as Heyman notes, ramped-up expectations of a near-term competitive timeline. The latter two ballplayers are established, quality veterans who would no doubt improve the overall roster but not come with nearly the upside (or require nearly the same level of investment).
Having shocked the market by landing Eric Hosmer last year, and with a clear imperative to make some strides in the standings, the San Diego organization has to be considered at least a conceptually possible dark horse threat on these (if not also other) players. That’s true even if adding one of these players would require some corresponding trades, as the Padres’ mass of intriguing but not-yet-fully-established MLB talent has long seemed likely to be cleared out to some degree.
I thought after Hosmer, they’d be hesitant to splurge again.
Why? In all seriousness. The trend shows every other year he struggled, but they went after him for his leadership.
Harper and especially Machado aren’t exactly leadership types.
They’re great players and that’s far more important.
I agree but all team have to check in on the stars to see what they’re seeking. I can understand moose for a year with Potts climbing through the minors
You don’t give a player millions of dollars “for his leadership”.
Ah, you must be new here.
Steven, meet AJ Preller.
Yes, you must be a newbie.
Preller indeed does that.
Yup
Apparently nobody read the Acee piece about the Padres finances in the SDUT. Nor any of the resulting fallout and analysis.
Bottom line, Preller isn’t trying to build a winner, and he’s not going after any “expensive” free agents. There is also a high probability that the Hosmer signing was simply to keep the MLBPA from filing a grievance or lawsuit as they did against the Rays, Pirates, and two other teams.
Essentially, they are going to keep on moving those “year of contention” goalposts farther away. And some people will keep drinking the Kool-Aid and living in denial. And Preller is the perfect point man.
Do those grievances ever actually amount to anything? The only one I have ever heard any kind of result on was the thing with Carter Stewart and the Braves a few weeks ago. And the Braves won that grievance meaning they get everything they want out of the situation while Stewart gets nothing he wants out of it.
True, but don’t want to give many millions to bad leaders, aka Alex Rodriguez.
We don’t know yet. They could become lawsuits.
Do you mean his article on Jan 19th titled: “Look at Padres’ books shows debt reduction has team in position to spend” ?
sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/padres/sd-sp-padre…
I had a different take away…
The sky may be falling somewhere, but it’s clear skies here in San Diego
That’s the one. My initial impression was probably the same as yours. Then, a lot of writers and “analysts” went beyond Acee’s “puff piece” and read between the lines. I am completely inept at posting links, but Gaslamp Ball ran a story that contains several links to good analysis and opinion.
I can see a lot of reason to pause. His mailbag piece kind of reflects that too
However I see this as a huge positive. Some transparency can’t be bad. They also showed how they had a goal and the steps they have taken to improve their cash flow and debt situations
Looks like Preller stumbled out of the gates and then nailed the 2021 deadline for his farm. Nobody is perfect and I am willing to forgive him because 2015 was exciting, I think SD needed that. It’s encouraging to see that ownership came at him with a real financial plan. It also looks like they slapped him around a bit and he responded well.
Fowler is no Steinbrenner but it sure looks like he has a plan to compete
Every article since the one I posted points to no Machado though
Rodriguez was not paid to be a leader. That team already had Jeter and the first unanimous hof’er
Rodriguez was paid for is juiced up bat
So Pirela must be a leader, too?
No, he has compromising pictures of Preller. He shared them with Bryan Mitchell, too.
Also, he is changing leagues. He has to adjust to new pitchers. It’s easier to adjust as a pitcher when your over leagues…
Harper will sign with them by friday, he doesnt want to play in philly
All your comments are self referential. I, I , I. you need to get over yourself.
For a low spend, rebuild all the time, small market team, a move like they made for Hosmer cant be a move made in isolation.
It makes zero sense to splurge on one guy and then not follow it up with other supporting pieces to fill gaps in bare spots while the farm grows the impact guys. They would be smart to try and pull away Franco from Philly while they grow outfielders, Tatis and a pitching staff.
Bingo. The goal should always be to play competitive baseball at the Major League level.
Harper. Because apparently the Padres don’t already have a logjam in the outfield corners.
And before you tell me that Harper is better than Renfroe, Reyes, et al. The money he would cost for the Padres to sign him would create a greater positive ripple effect being spent on someone who can pitch or play the left side of the infield.
Do you really think that the Padres made an offer to Harper? LMAO. He is worth half as much as their entire franchise.
The Padres still need to trade one of Renfroe or Reyes but with Reyes and Cordero coming off injuries it doesn’t have to be before the season starts.
They do need to sign or trade for a 3B. With Myers slated for LF they cannot start the season with Garcia or France there. That would be a huge white flag on the season and your fans would not like the team giving up before the season starts.
I would think that the Padres, who have just $85-86 million in payroll, could sign Machado to a $30 million AAV contract and still afford another $20 million for pitching.
They spent $130 million last season(legacy.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/nl…), they have $266 million in revenue, and the owners just said that they cleared millions by refinancing the team debt, so they should have no problem going $130-$135 for MLB payroll.
You claim to be a Padres fan. What do you think?
I thought early in the offseason that they should go after Machado. If the rumors of teams lowballing him are true I think it even more now.
Me too, I think most die hards like us feel similarly.
This is a very rare opportunity the Padres have now that the price has dropped on Manny.
They can pair this elite 26 year old free agent smack dab in his prime next to their franchise heart throb once he gets called up. Machado/Tatis would be unreal.
Personally, I kinda like the edge/dark side Machado has. You need some bad a$$’s on your team to set that tone. Kevin Brown wasn’t a nice guy but the Padres took a chance on him in 98’ and it paid off HUGE.
8 years 220 million.
Trade Myers and rid yourself with whatever you can remaining on his deal while exchanging him for a veteran arm to help this year, Mike Leake possibly?
Money saved by moving Myers gives ownership more to spend on Machado’s deal.
Then, let all the pitching graduate and blossom when they are ready and not rushed. No need to acquire that “Ace” yet, wait until the deadline while control lessens and prices drop.
Maybe add a Gio Gonzalez on short term deal and call it an offseason.
Richards
Kinsler
Machado
Leake
Gio Gonzalez
Isn’t a bad offseason. Makes the team watchable in 19’ as they continue to develop/gel for 20’ and 21’ when a lot of the international spending class of 16’ will start to arrive at the show.
Myers is pretty much unmovable until he stays healthy for a few months. Renfroe and Reyes are very tradeable.
If Preller is going after a TOR starter its likely that either Renfroe or Mejia will be traded because they have the most value and both are replaceable with pieces currently in our system.
Garrett Richards won’t pitch for the Padres in 2019. He is strictly for 2020.
I would like to see Machado at 3B for us. An infield of Hosmer, Urias, Tatis, Machado from 2020-2024 would be something to behold.
Padres are currently worth $1.27 Billion, so you’re saying Harper is worth $635 million?? Wow, good thing you’re not in MLB, and how silly of you to make such an uninformed statement
Padres are worth 1.2 billion… sooooo
Nice try troll
“According to Forbes’ annual financial report on Major League Baseball, San Diego’s lone major sports team is worth $1.125 billion.”
Totally agree, they could add Machado for 30M and still have the dough for pitching and have a stud third baseman for 5-8 years.
I can only guess they are waiting to see how low it goes.
Padres are worth around 1.2 billion.
Harper is gonna sign for less than 600 million. Hell probably less than 300 million.
Not even close to worth half of the franchise. You tried, failed but tried. Math apparently isnt your strong suit.
Padres only sign Machado if they move Hosmer and Myers off the books. Padres have plenty of 1B options in Renfroe/Reyes to clear the OF, Naylor/Allen working their way up the minors.
Padres should do what they can to move Hosmer and Myers by giving up some prospects, push to sign Machado, then in 2020 target Sale, Wacha, Cole, Wood, Roark, Hamels to bolster the rotation.
1 or 2 of Sale Wacha, Cole, Wood, Roark, Hamels.
You could offer sale a 200+ million dollar contract and sign a secondary pitcher in Wood or Cole for less than 100 million to bolster the rotation and trade prospects to fill gaps.
Wecanwin here I agree for with you westcoastryan. Imagine an infield with Tatis at third, Machado at ss, Uruas at 2b and Hosmer at first. Hedges and Meja catching. Renfroe in left, Cordero in Cf and Reyes in rf. Bench is Kinsler and Jankowski/Margot.
Signing Moose would be interesting. I’d imagine he’d be the cheapest of the 4, and Hosmer is already there after all.
Moustakas sucks.
Wasn’t Hos expected to sign with the fathers? Maybe not initially but certainly as ST was coming and it seemed to be them and the Royals. This team is so odd. Until they call up Tatis, they will continue to tread muddy water at the bottom of the NL West.
Hosmer signed on Feb 18th. Maybe as we get closer to spring training we will get a better idea of what the Padres are doing. With no front line starting pitchers, too many OF, and no 3B its not clear at all right now.
Padres would have signed him earlier but they had to bid against themselves a few times before they could get the deal done.
Interesting … post under the “wrong” screen name, so you immediately delete and repost the same comment under the “right” screen name.
Why do even feel the need on a meaningless baseball comment board? It’s pathetic. Are you that starved for personal validation?
Every time Adam Rosales is mentioned he comments “Cue the comment from TheWestCoastRyan about how Adam Rosales is an All Star” and then runs and hides like a little girl when I respond. But now, he is going to address the issue.
“Why do even feel the need on a meaningless baseball comment board? It’s pathetic. Are you that starved for personal validation?”
Pretty ironic from a guy who upvotes all his comments and downvotes all of the person he’s arguing with’s comments.
So when Tatis is called up, he’s going to perform at a Superstar level, and win 105 games all by himself?
Reality check. Please.
I’d play in SD for free. Love it there. If they revamped their uniforms possibly more free agents would come? Best farm in baseball and SD is SD. People can hate all day but it’s such a beautiful place. Give me 30 million a year to live there I will play 10 losing seasons happily. (Not that I think the Padres will have 10 losing seasons, I’m just saying, worst case scenario you eat amazing food on the beach every night… 🙂
Ownership has hinted at going back to brown in 2020
As they once did a skit on MAD-TV “ What can Brown do for you”
Life is good for us living in SD. That’s why we were cursed with bad sports teams. No one has it worse than us.
What’s Cleveland’s excuse?
Cleveland won 91 games last year.
Going to go out on a limb here and say “new uniforms” is the last thing on a free agent’s mind.
Outside of that, it’s hard to disagree with the rest of what you said.
If the Padres are dumb enough to sign Hosmer, they’re dumb enough to sign his buddy Moustakas.
If the White Sox are dumb enough to sign Jon Jay and trade for Yonder Alonso they are dumb enough to sign Machado.
Huh? Machado is actually good, not to mention Jay+Alonso=roughly half of what that loser Hosmer makes lol.
Jon Jay and Yonder Alonso are terrible and Hosmer is very good every other season. What does how much they make matter?
Que? Hosmer and Over Yonder had like identical stats last year, except Yonder isn’t signed to some terrible neverending contract lol.
Jon Jay is not terrible. Alonso is also not terrible. Neither are superstars but certainly not terrible. Exaggerate much?
baseball-reference.com/players/a/alonsyo01.shtml#2…
vs
baseball-reference.com/players/h/hosmeer01.shtml#2…
OK. Let me rephrase that.
Jon Jay is horrible. 0.1 WAR. Basically replaceable by any OF in your system or the White Sox system. The Calcetines Blancos signed him because they are dumb enough to think that might help them get Machado.
Yonder Alonso is merely below average now and 32 to start the season so likely to get much worse.
Look Eric, I’m sorry I hurt your feelings, but I just don’t think you’re worth that contract you got.
Also, the Jay signing I don’t get because Charlie Tilson is the same player for like 1/8th the price. But whatever.
Anyone in your farm system is the same player for less money. Did you miss that point?
You had a point? All I saw was hurt feelings over me saying that Hosmer sucks lol.
Pointing out that your statement is stupid is hurt feelings? Hosmer doesn’t suck, but the White Sox do and the Yankees show you just how much year after year. So do the Indians. Not many teams with less hope than the Padres and the White Sox are one of them.
“Hope?” Lol, jesus christ you’re dramatic. Are you a Cubs fan by chance? Maybe a theater major in college?
You love Hosmer. I get it. Let’s just both agree that he’s overrated over the hill garbage and move on.
Using a fallacious pseudo-stat as a justification to call somebody “stupid” is … well, stupid.
i had recently thought of a team trying to reunite the prominent members of a WS run to see if they could do it again. obviously it’s unlikely to work, but perpahs in some cases the chemistry may be a strong foundation for a team.
Cornerstone piece.
Tatis and Machado…same team…scary!
Imagine if they didn’t waste their money on Hoz last offseason? They’ll probably sign Moose and have the two most mediocre corner infielders in the nl.
Well they checked in on a few guys, I guess that means OFFSEASON COMPLETE!
padres rumors gonna rumor
Moose actually makes a lot of sense
He does. He would be a short term deal. Probably 2 years with an option. And he won’t cost more than $10 million AAV. He is pretty average on both sides of the ball but he has power.
As of now, Moose does make sense. Which is why I’m not holding my breath. We basically have no infield on the left side, and no starting pitching. Those are all holes that could have, and should have been plugged by now. And could have been plugged economically as recent FA signings have proven.
Checked in? What’s that mean? They considered or thought about it? Like…..”hey Bryce…we can’t pay you much but we can guarantee more Sunshine and maybe a few more endorsements? “
Not quite the same as them saying Cash checked in on Harper and Machado.
You’re late to the dance. It’s a PR stunt by Preller to try and show the fan base he’s “trying.”
I can’t believe MLBTR missed the news that the Rays called Manny’s agents, offering 2 million a year for 4 years…..
The saddest thing is that the Rays can actually afford a 30 mil contract. They’d still be under 100 mil. Never ever and I don’t like him anyway.
Congrats on kicking the tires on a car you’ll never buy…
Check in doesn’t mean anything. Just a slow news day …
Who knew that debt reduction had hit free agency!
Checking in is code for we could never pay them but we want our fans to think we are still relevant
so according to those commenting here the Padres wont sign these guys because they overpaid Hosmer? i mean, if you give up after failing once on a big FA, chances are you’re gonna miss out on a lot of good players that very well could work out.
That’s the main reason I don’t like the Hosmer signing. Cuz they will use it as an excuse for why they can’t afford guys like Machado.
Cornerstone piece.
Tatis and Machado…same team…scary!
I salivate at the thought!
if they got rid of Myers or Hosmer, and could get another team to absorb MOST of their deal (not likely), they’d have some wiggle room to sign Machado or Harper…neither of whom are going to get the 300 plus they’re looking for. But bottom line, whats the use in signing either of the two, when their pitching is so sketchy. Sketchy meaning, they have young pitching with little to no experience…nor does it seem like they have a handle on acquiring an ace, either. Id rather have an ace and a co-ace in hand, before I stepped in the direction of Harper/Machado.
The Padres only have $86 million committed to payroll. They have room to sign anyone they want.
Why would they? When they had Agon they didn’t draw significantly better than when they gave him away and went into the toilet. If people are dumb enough, or don’t care enough about the product on the field, and still go to the games and buy beer and food and merchandise, why should ownership pay millions to go from 70 wins to 85? That’s bad business.
Thinking just about every team “checked in” on those 4 free agents.
They have made an offer on Marwin and it was rejected
Source for that? Or did it just come down the wire? They probably low-balled him knowing he would reject, but it’s good for Preller’s PR.
I am not a big Machado fan, but as a baseball player he definitely would fit perfectly into the Padres plan near and long term. Harper is a position of strength within the Padres, so wouldn’t help them as much. Marwin doesn’t make much sense since he won’t change the club drastically and Moose would be decent stop gap until they could find a long term 3B.
The Padres could package a pair of OF and send them to the Indians for Kluber. None of the Indians OF are as good as Renfroe or Margot.
Not saying Preller would or should sign Harper, but they could do it and make a trade like that to clear OF spots while getting the pitching they need.
That still leaves a hole at 3B.
There’s an entire universe of BS between what Preller could do and what he will do. So far, he has shown zero aptitude for building a big league roster. Even when he stumbled on a qualty SS, he was unable or unwilling to find a way to keep him.
Pirela, however, is still on the roster.
The team has evaluated relief pitchers very well. Meija, Espinosa, And paddack were acquired for 2 waiver claims and a 1 year deal.
The only pitcher who was traded for any of the guys you are referring to who was a waiver claim was Brad Hand.
Padres458-
Apparently you missed the key point about “big league roster.” None of those guys you use as “examples” have any big league experience.
Give him some time, his prospects are just now making it to the show
After all the lead we gave to Towers and Byrnes…..You’d think it be a little easier to allow Preller some time to show what he can do
No disrespect to Towers, that guy did a lot with very little. However San Diego knows what suffering is…. and this aint it
Ask the Twins about top ranked farms and prospects. They were in the top 10, as high as 3, from 2013 through 2016. Results?
Towers gave us 4 division titles and a World Series.
Hoyer, in 2 years, gave us a 90 win season in 2010 and drafted Hedges. His successor, Byrnes, drafted Renfroe, Urias, and Trae Turner.
In 2012, we ALSO had the top ranked farm, and it was top 5 when Preller took over in August of 2014. The 2014 team only won 77 games. Since then, we’ve won 74, 68, 71, and 66 games, repectively.
You now say the “target” is 2021. The goal posts keep getting moved. And “we” are the useful idiots and accomplices in letting that happen.
In 2018, the Rays won 90 games. The A’s won 97. The Brewers won 96. The Indians won 91, and the Braves 90. And we Padre fans ignore it, because it doesn’t fit the Preller narrative and our self-induced paradigm of self-pity and being “used to losing.”
So, no, I’m not giving Preller any more time.
Obviously having a top 5 farm system in 2014 didn’t produce results considering Preller traded everyone from that farm system away except Renfroe and Hedges
The point is you can not predict future success based on how highly “ranked” your farm system is.
And that was only one of the points.
The articles by Acee show that management has always been looking at 2021. Some of us homers may be suggesting something sooner. But the official narrative has never changed
Towers had a lot of success early on. He then went through about a decade of losing on top of more losing. Hoyer and Byrnes may have had some highlights as you pointed out but there is no arguing that they were failures and gave us some pretty awful teams
Those articles you pointed to show that there was serious debt inherited and a game plan to get out from under it. And that target year has always been 2021. Preller has done a great job of lining up the future of the Padres within that time frame. Sure it’s a big if, however trying to knock Preller down before allowing his plan to unfold isn’t useful. So far so good. A number 1 farm is as much as he could have possibly done to date. He achieved that and excelled at it. I believe he has earned the right to a few more years to see this thing play out
That is not accurate. Go back and look at his introductory press conference. What was the “magic” year? Look at the offseason after 2015, tell me what the quotes from Preller and Fowler were regarding “competitive” baseball. Ditto after the 2016 trade deadline. Tell me what year was talked about just before and during ST of 2018 – just last year – with numerous quotes from Preller, Green, and Fowler.
So, no. The goal has most definitely not “always been 2021,” and there are plenty of published quotes to prove it.
Seriously, how much time do you want to give this guy? I’m sure he can make more Kool-Aid if that will help.
Did you read those articles or just get mad and start hitting the comment section?
Ownership had a plan to get out from under the debt that was always 2021. Preller went for it in 2015, over spent and set everything back. 2016 deadline was the start of the realization that his first efforts failed and he needed to reel in the spending
He also was told his books would be cleared in 2021. 2017 you see the pivot. Things got exciting in 2018 but no one saying they would be competitive. Maybe an over optimistic homer like me. but not Preller. His farm is starting to mature, and by 2020 they will be competitive and ready to spend again. The plan is solid. Chit, the plan is working so well that we are all excited now – 2 years early
How long should a rebuild take in your mind? Going into year 3 and you want to blow it all up? Because why, he only has the top farm??
Yes more time is needed, these things take longer than a year or two
So now, we’re switching over to the debt excuse? I don’t think so.
And I contend that 2015 had nothing to do with winning, and more to do with using those contracts to buy “his own” prospects. Why else would he have fired the manager just over a third of the way into the season, knowing the likely outcome of that move? Especially since it was obvious that’s what he had in mind to do prior to ST.
Since most Kool-Aid drinking Prelleristas love to talk about the Cubs and Astros “model,” both of those teams were winning in the FOURTH year of their so-called rebuilds.
Epstein/Hoyer’s first full year with the Cubs was 2012. In 2015, they won 97 and lost in the NLCS.
Same with Luhnow. His first season with the Astros was 2012. In 2015, they won 86 games, losing in the NLDS.
Both of those teams also made trades and used the FA market to win.
Then, you can please tell me about the Rays, A’s, Brewers, and Braves. Especially the A’s, because before Preller got here (if you remember), the excuse du jour for losing was that were following the A’s “model.” You know, Moneyball. And we couldn’t wait to see guys like Rymer Liriano, Zach Lemond, Zak Eflin, Wisler, Weiland, and countless other “can’t miss prospects” turning the 2014 or 2015 or 2016 or 2017 Padres into winners.
More time is not needed. That is an argument in support of failure and incompetence.
If “2015 had nothing to do with winning” as you say, why did they trade for Justin Upton, a pending free agent, and then refuse to trade him for Michael Fulmer at the deadline when it was offered?
Pay attention. He didn’t want a quality big league pitcher, he wanted to essentially “buy” prospects. That’s only a theory, but it all fits.
He wanted prospects. Period.
Fulmer was a prospect at the time. At the lower end of MLBPipeline’s top 100.
Preller didn’t acquire Upton to get prospects out of him. He acquired him to use him. Period.
How do you know Preller “refused?” Is that sort of like him “checking in” on Machado? The Mets got who they really wanted, and that was Cespedes. Think about it.
Wrong. Upton was the Mets’ first choice. They offered Fulmer for him, Preller said no, so they turned to the Tigers and flipped Fulmer for Cespedes. Was reported on here and several other sites. You can Google it if you don’t wanna take my word it.
Anyway, the Padres would never have traded for Upton if they truly didn’t intend on competing in 2015. They wouldn’t have dared.
Upton was only one of Preller’s bad deals. Let go of it if that’s the only example you’ve got.
The Mets wanted Cespedes over Upton. For a lot of reasons, including contract.
If they wanted Cespedes over Upton why did they ask about Upton first?
And the contract hardly matters for the final two months of a season. The difference in the balance of their salaries at the time was only ~1.33m.
To be honest … Preller turned the deal down because Fulmer wasn’t enough. It had nothing to do with wanting to keep Upton.
The Mets had tried earlier to get Cespedes, and finally did.
How was Fulmer “not enough?” It was literally either him or a comp pick. I don’t see how that comp pick was worth more than a top 100 prospect in the game.
But no matter what, if the Padres “weren’t trying to win in 2015” as you say. They wouldn’t have acquired Justin Upton in the first place. It was a clear win-now trade for the Padres.
That was a direct quote from Heyman after talking to the Padres (Preller) in 2015. He was confirming Buster Olney’s report.
So, did you have a point to try and make?
And yes, the Mets had previously tried to get Cespedes from the A’s.
Again, my point is that Preller was actively trying to contend in 2015. If not, he wouldn’t have gone anywhere near Justin Upton.
Jeez, Upton was only one of several. Kemp ring a bell? Myers? Kimbrel?
And the one that completely obliterates your position.
What exactly was the point of trading for Upton if he wasn’t actively trying to contend in 2015?
And those three other trades you bring up weren’t really win-later moves either. The only one that benefited the Padres at all in the long-run was Kimbrel and so many things had to break the right way for that to happen (Dombrowski deciding to overpay in prospects for Kimbrel a year later, Melvin Upton returning to form, Matt Wisler busting, etc)
Nope. Cherry picking one piece of data while ignoring all others is called confirmation bias.
Disengage.
You seem to be the only one here changing narratives
2015 was an attempt to win. again referencing the article you brought up earlier… He was then told he spent too much and to real it, he was also given a timeline for when management planned on be out from under the debt. It’s all in the article You brought up
Those rebuilds that started winning in year 4? Guess what keyboard warrior….The Padres are going into year 3
Those rebuilds that worked actually spent on FA too? I guess Hosmer and Myers don’t count
That notion that we were following the A’s model? Your hero Byrnes was pushing that narrative
I get it, BUT WHAH! The Padres are insufferable!!!! blah blah blah
At least they are giving us something to talk about now. We finally have a product to like and you guys just keep complaining. Sounds like you would prefer they continue to suck just to give you a reason to cry
How was Upton bad for the Padres?
That team needed a legit power bat and he delivered. We ended up with a nice comp pick after too. I know, you haven’t heard of the kid so he’s garbage…not worth mentioning
1) I didn’t say Upton was bad for the Padres. Never.
2) Year 3 of the rebuild? Not quite. 2019 will be year 5. Preller wasn’t hired (allegedly) to maintain the status quo. Now we’re even moving the goal posts on when the “rebuild” started?
Keep drinking your Preller Kool-Aid and ignoring the reality of where he’s taken the team since August of 2014, his well-documented lack of ethics, and his inability to put together even a mediocre roster in the interim. You and RR/WCR should start a club.
Byrnes was not my hero, I was just filling in the gaps since you went all the way back to Towers. Yet, you ignore his prospects to make your boy look better. Unreal.
You still haven’t come up with an excuse for how other teams have done more with less in the same time frame. In fact, you studiously ignore it.
“Third year.” Good grief. You really are a Preller fanboi. There’s something wrong with a baseball fan whose favorite player is the GM.
“Nope. Cherry picking one piece of data while ignoring all others is called confirmation bias.”
What’s hilarious is that you fail to see the irony in saying this.
“Year 3 of the rebuild? Not quite. 2019 will be year 5.”
Dude, you spent all night arguing this with me last night then just slinked away when you knew you’d been beat and now you are rehashing it again? No. 2015 was NOT a rebuilding year. 2019 is year 4. You’d have to be a special kind of stupid to think 2015 was a rebuilding year when Preller went out and traded for Matt Kemp, Derek Norris, Wil Myers and Justin Upton (who was a one-year rental at the time).
“his well-documented lack of ethics”
What well documented lack of ethics!?!?!?!?!? You pushed this same garbage on the MLB boards as Padrays and got taken to school and back there as well.
“How was Upton bad for the Padres?”
Trading for a rental is always bad unless you at least make it to the playoffs, are able to flip him for something better than you gave up, or he stays beyond the one year and says that he wouldn’t have stayed if you hadn’t traded for him first. You could argue rather effortlessly that the Padres would be better off today if they had never made that trade.
LOL! “Slink away?” Not quite. I just realize the futility of teaching physics to a rock. That’s what happens when you argue opinions as opposed to facts. Neither of us is going to change the other’s mind.
And if you’re going to get snarky, maybe you should just pick one screen name.
BTW … (related point): in the same Heyman tweet that was used as the basis for this article, he said the Padres target is 2020. Smoke and mirrors … moving goal posts … kicking the can … and some keep drinking the Kool-Aid.
“What ethical lapses?” Are you serious? You are unaware of Preller’s two suspensions and one fine from MLB?
Sometimes you make good points, but sometimes your ignorance of the facts is earth-shattering.
Lol, you resort to condescension because you get completely annihilated when you actually try to discuss the issue in detail.
Argue opinions as opposed to facts? Here’s a couple of facts for ya.
1. The Padres traded for Justin Upton in advance of the 2015 season.
2. Justin Upton was on the last year of his contract at the time and was never going to sign an extension.
3. “Rebuilding teams” don’t trade for All Star players on one year deals.
Padres weren’t rebuilding in 2015. THAT is a fact. You can ignore the Upton trade and hide being condescension and tough guy posturing all you want, but it’s true.
“Are you serious? You are unaware of Preller’s two suspensions and one fine from MLB?”
Are you unaware that the missing info on Rea and Pomeranz was that they had taken Ibuprofin? And that you can buy Ibuprofin over the counter at your local 7-Eleven? And that the Marlins and Red Sox also traded the Padres injured pitchers in Paddack, Capps and Espinoza?
Yes, just downvote and then don’t respond cuz you know you’re wrong but your mental deficiency keeps you from being able to admit it. But I guess that’s what happens when your parents are first cousins.
Again, for the third or fourth time, I don’t care about Upton. You’re trying to argue a point I never made. Mentioning him as part of a as part of a group of deals is not making a singular point to be countered. This more of your Straw Man garbage just for the sake of starting an argument. Try to get this through your thick skull: I couldn’t care less about Upton or what Preller did with him or even why.
As for Preller’s ethics, MLB thought it was serious, and that’s what counts. So did a lot of other people connected to MLB. Keeping two sets of medical records is not a “mistake,” it is a blatant attempt to defraud. There is no defense. I notice you conveniently ignore his other two disciplinary actions. Why is that? Birds of a feather?
You’ve got issues. Serious issues. You’re going to need yet another screen name to cover your tracks.
Don’t respond? I didn’t know we all had to follow your personal timer. Do you get lonely in your Mom’s basement?
Sorry, but some of us have lives. Some choose not to engage with imbeciles (they’re the smart ones!). Some are just tired of your BS.
Go pretend to get a life, ‘cuz I’m done arguing with lonely children.
Lol, just say you “don’t care about Upton” because he again obliterates your argument and you know it. But I’m not surprised that you don’t know what a straw-man is. A straw-man is when you attack an argument that your counterpart never made, like people who accuse me of thinking that Enyel de los Santos is the next Cy Young when I complain about the Galvis trade. I’m not straw-manning, I’m bringing up a counter-argument to an argument you did make. He also traded for another player who was one year out from free agency in Shawn Kelley and declined to trade away Ian Kennedy who was also a year out from free agency. If Preller wasn’t trying to contend in 2015, he would have done the opposite.
Again, if Preller “wasn’t trying to contend in 2015,” why did he trade for Justin Upton? Your failure to answer in your next comment will be taken as an admittance that you were wrong.
Sure, just as soon as you address Preller’s ethics and all of the other points. It’s too much for you to grasp, so you dodge and deflect.
And just because you can look up the definition of a straw man argument, it doesn’t mean you know what it is. Obviously. See above.
Hah! You didn’t answer! You knew Preller was trying to contend in 2015 all along!
Oooooh, the agony of defeat. All those comments trying to argue the matter only to admit you were wrong.
I don’t have to dodge and deflect like you cuz I actually have a point to make.
You are the one who doesn’t know what a straw-man is. I already provided a good example: People accusing me of thinking Enyel de los Santos is the next Cy Young when I complain about the Galvis trade.
Sucks to suck, huh Padrays?
And regarding the Preller ethics issues thing, I actually did reply to that but my comment got a pending. But the fact that Mike Dee was fired and Preller was given all of his duties and powers upon his return should tell you something about who was responsible for that. And Preller has made a TON of trades since returning from the suspension.
No you didn’t. You came up with a lame excuse for one of THREE disciplinary actions.
You can’t defend the indefensible. Period. It’s amusing watching you try to dance around it.
Not my fault you’re a mental deficient. Padres were actively trying to contend in 2015 and Preller can trade with whoever he wants. And it’s going to stay that way whether you like it or not!
MY FACTS > YOUR OPINION
No, Preller can trade with whoever is willing to trade with him. That is a fact. Are you going to make any excuses for the other two times MLB disciplined him? It would be foolish to try.
Why did he fire Black just over a third of the way into the season, a) knowing the odds of winning when managers are replaced in-season, and b) knowing he was going replace him prior to ST, and with whom – he wouldn’t let other teams talk to Pat about ML positions.
Deductive reasoning. Look it up.
“Preller can trade with whoever is willing to trade with him” aka the other 29 GM’s.
He fired Black because he felt that Black wouldn’t be able to lead the team to the playoffs. He felt that the odds would be better with someone else at the helm. Whether he was correct in that thinking is debatable.
If he wasn’t trying to contend in 2015, Upton, Kennedy and Kelley would have all gone at the trade deadline or never been acquired/kept during the prior offseason in the first place. The only reason to trade for/keep them was to shoot for a playoff spot.
There’s your deductive reasoning.
Should have saved all that Hosmer money for a baseball player who’s actually good.
Teams are going to be kicking themselves in a few years when the deals Machado and Harper sign this offseason look like bargains.
The Padres made a big mistake last offseason when they signed Hosmer to that ridiculous long term deal especially when they had the position already filled (Myers).
With that being said; around 20 million will be off the books next offseason(Hughes, Gyorko, Richard, Stammen).
The Padres could afford to get Machado if he accepts a 8/250 deal.
Stammen doesn’t belong in that group. They could trade him and his salary while eating none of it right now if they wanted to.
That logic could be true for Yates and Myers as well. As it stands Stammen is on the books.
Yates, yes. Myers, no. You don’t have to be Einstein to know which of those players are worth what they are being paid.
Myers isn’t worthless. He posted a 2.4
last season. The Padres are going to need to eat about half his remaining contract in order to move him, but he isn’t worthless.
Myers may not be worthless, but he’s nowhere close to being worth his contract.
And he wasn’t a very good first baseman, either.
If he drops to $25m they should give him his full 1o years. They can afford that without moving anyone. That potential infield along with AJ’s proven willingness to spend should be appealing. It’s no Dodger or Yankee situation but it’s a real chance to build a legacy. 10 years of competing against and beating up on the Dodgers would look great on that hof resume
Filling the 3b hole should not have anything to do with the OF clusterf*%k
Let’s go A.J.! Get it done
I like how you think . That would be good
You need Olivera in there. He is 7.5 himself off the books next year.
“Hey (insert agent of free agent), just checking in to see if you’ve dropped your price. Let us know. Thanks.”
– Preller.
DING DING DING we have a winner!
Moustakas would be a good fit…………but it makes too much sense, fills on obvious need and would help them. So you know, ain’t gonna happen…….
Padres ship Hosmer back to KC along with Francisco Mejia, Gabriel Arias, and another low end prospect. KC can DH hosmer rest of his career.
Padres ship Myers to the Orioles along with Morejon, Ornelas, Rosario l. Orioles can DH Davis put myers at 1st.
Padres dump their salaries, move Renfroe or Reyes to 1st, go all in on machado with money saved from hosmer and myers.
Are you still living in your mom’s basement?
KC and Baltimore are rebuilding and will want no part of these moron contracts.
You looking for a roommate to move out of your grandma’s attic or something? If you’re having trouble finding a roommate showering at least once a day and not having a crap personality goes a long way.
Manny…4yrs…option for 5th 30 to 35 mil.
Pads can swing it.
High AAV and hes a FA at 30 or 31.
Works for both sides.
Well Harper did get married at the mormon temple in La Jolla. I’m sure if his market Cratered he’d listen. lol
Any serious interest would almost include dealing Will Myers.
So many reasons Harper/Machado or even Moustakas would sign in SD.
Harper in SD close to inlaws and Vegas.
Machado and Tatis one of the potential best combos in baseball.
Moustakas reuniting with Hosmer.
All make sense!
Even if the Padres did sign Harper or Machado which they won’t. You need SP and bullpen to help win games also.Even if they got Harper or Machado or any hitter that get won’t make them better. Because Padres have NO PITCHING!
Easy resolution move Tatis to third and Machado plays ss.
Tatis has the athleticism to do that. Crazy thing is Tatis reminds me of Machado. Two Machados on the same team…nice!
Doesn’t Machado prefer playing shortstop? Or does he just think he’ll get more money if he signs as a shortstop?
He does and the Pads could probably arrange that!
There is a degree of flexibility there!
Think Tatis at SS and Machado at 3B is the superior defensive alignment
eYE tHot u WUz BAnT
Not I
it’s funny, there was a long ass comment string earlier that looks like it was blanked on that exact topic. the usual players were involved.
some had their PTSD triggered
He just changes screen names.
Assuming PF or one of his sockpuppets? I’d pay no heed. Dude clearly has something wrong going on upstairs.
Even though Machado is a much better 3B than SS, his ego wants to be a SS.
As for better defensive alignment, can we let Tatis get at least a couple of big league innings before we declare him an all-star?
Who was declaring him an All Star?
Maybe sign Keuchel and Machado?
They have the room to do it.
I’m pretty sure checking in means, “Hey Manny, we know you still insist that you’re an elite SS, but you’re not, so we want you to be our Third Baseman and groom a rookie at SS… think you could do that for us? Sign on the dotted line, thanks so much.”
Now, if Machado’s White Sox leak has humbled him, he might be ready to admit he can be a great 3B… but nothing about the guy’s attitude says he’s will.
Hope I’m wrong, because that really would be a fun infield to watch.
Like a lot Harper and Machado but the Padres do not need to brake the Bank.. Need 3B Moustakas, and Starting Pitcher I will bring Dallas Keuchel or Gio Gonzalez. But if The Padres has the Cash go for Machado we need 3B. to many we have to many Outfielders.. Hope the Padres do Something almost February and noting has come to the fulfill the 2019 SD Roaster. come on AJ Preller..
Keuchel and Gio.
Someone should tell Machado they’re gonna give Moustakas $200million just outnof spite if they don’t sign with them.
Signing Machado makes way too much sense. Which means it probably won’t happen.
Thanks RR
I’m not him. I’ve proven this. I don’t know why you think this is some kind of joke but it’s not. Do it again and there will be Hell to pay.
Ooh, cyber-threats!!
LOL!
Ooh, twelve-year-old troll!!
LOL!
Do you even realize you just outed yourself – again?
LOL
It’s your world. We’re just living in it.
LOL
And yet, you and RedRooster have posted from the same IP address tonight.
Now can we please end whatever tired charade is going on here? And maybe stop insulting/threatening others while we’re at it? Seriously — enough already.
Shoot. Now he knows one of the easier ways to catch him. Computers … the internet … some people still don’t get it.
By the way, I am in complete agreement.
Please get an IP check on SDHotDawg, Pads Fans and outinleftfield while you’re at it.
They’re all different.
Can we move on now and at least feign the ability to be civil now? Thanks.
Must use multiple devices then.
Done
That’s what RR says…verbatim
Maybe someday you will learn to post relevant, insightful comments that contribute to the discussion. For now, you’re barely a half step above padreforlife.
… GRAMPS!
Haha outed
Haha downs
@Padres2019ha –
It’s not the fist time he’s been outed. He’s obviouly a slow learner, so it won’t be the last.
Just disengage. It’s for the best.
“Outed.”
LOL like how I outed you for being Padrays.
Don’t try and avoid the question like you did on the MLB boards troll boy. If the Justin Upton trade wasn’t a “win now” move, what was it? Cuz we know it wasn’t a “win later” move.
Psychoooo
Morooooooooooooon
the Padres, what $#@!king joke
Probably better than your team
I know there’s pressure from Peller to sign someone, but really if the asking price is too high and commiment is too short/long from the list of top free agents, then I don’t see the need to, sign, given the Padres are a small market team and to top it off we wont necessairly be competeting this year. If we do spend, II hope we don’t overspend on RP or CP, given we’re a small market team either, hopefully spend or trade for an above average bat or decent SP.
Manny, Harper are also too expensive for the Pads/ Plus Harper did not fare well against the shift last year, as it seems like they’re giving him a contract based on what He Could Be vs What He Currently Is. Sorry Harper but if anyone is going to get 35 mil a year, its going to be Trout. He’s already proven his consistency not price based moreso on potential vs actual results. Moose wouldnt be bad, but not for 20 mil,, not that he doesnt deserve around that, but its a lot for for someone like Pads with Hosmer already. Would actually like to see Marwin with Pads, but with salaries seemingly increasing and on the rise, I would not give him above 10 mil, esp 15 mil on average. Be nice if we could get him for at least around 8-10 mil, otherwise don’t bother overspending, either play the waiting game or wait till next year.
Andjuar would be nice, but his displine concerns me a bit. I actually like Greg Garcia because he has a really good eye, but I’m not a fan of platoon roles because I think it hurts players in the long run, given fewer at-bats and less experience. Padres lineup and pitching overall still needs a lot of work, even one great pitcher like Kluber or hitter like Moose would do. And lastly if we do get a string of good players, I hope its not one year make or break, these things take time, at least give it 2-3 years before going back tor rebuild mode.
Does Boras realize that Spring training starts soon. Still searching for that mystery team. Unbelievable.
Let’s hope there are some legs to this one..
Give Machado his 10/250 with escalators and mutual opt outs at year 4 or 5. Front load it and tell him SS is his for 2019 and then from there on out it’s a competition between him and Tatis every spring training, loser players 3rd for the year
Hosmer will keep him in check, or at least be the ying to his yang. Tatis and Urias with all their hype could entice him and prove to be a killer up the middle tandem. The vacuum cleaner that is Hosmer should appeal to him too. Even if Urias struggles for a year or two they have Kinsler to man the spot until he is ready. There is a lot to like about the situation for Machado. This young core could stay together for 5+ years before they felt any money pressures. Plus he gets to be the star of the team!
Please please let it be a real rumor
Royals fan here. you guys overpaid Hoz. he was a leader here in KC along with Salvy. Moose is a better player then you all are giving him credit for. Excellent defender and when he doesn’t pull all the pitches is a way better hitter with excellent power. Hoz and Moose are best of buds. Moose will be in San Diego come opening day. They were something else here in KC. We are rebuilding now and are about 3 years away from more championships. One thing you ought to know. You can’t just buy your way to the pennit. Takes team chemistry also. Good luck Hoz and Moose but they don’t have that chemistry there like they had in KC.
I checked in on vacationing in Hawaii, Greece, Thailand, Cabo, among others. I have not gone anywhere, am I still well traveled?
This is HUGE news. People don’t realize how truly big of a development this is. It means the San Diego Padres picked up a telephone, asked how much a player is looking for in free agency, then hung up the telephone. This is a big development, this post alone could shake up the entire national league. Stand by for more updates. Don’t quote me on this…. but sources have also told me “Padres are considering trades”…. big news.
XD
What could happen is a ten yr. deal for Manny at $300MM with opt out clauses in the 4th and 7th yr for Manny. This makes too much sense for it to happen. BTW we need a 3B and two SP’s from trades or FA’s.
The FO has a way of smoke and mirrors when it comes to their fan base and what they are trying to do vs what they’ll actually do. Fowler and AJ are hoping to show the fans look we’re really trying but nothing happens. Its the old bait and switch. Unless a relative splash is made even on a small scale this team will show us nothing more than another 95 Loss season in 2019. Still required to break even at .500 is a 3B and two SP’s with a measly payroll of $85M we do have the room, let’s get serious about winning. I’m from the old school and I guess waiting to 2020 can eventually turn into 2022 then 2024, what’s wrong with 2019?
You pretty much nailed it. There are plenty of teams who give their fans a competitive team year after year without the BS of blue sky and promises.