Rod Barajas has been a big league manager for just about a week, but the former catcher is ready for a long-term gig, per Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union Tribune. Of course, taking over the final week of the season for his former boss was neither how Barajas expected nor wanted to get his first chance at the big chair. He’s not the likely favorite to take over Andy Green’s former post full time either, though it seems he’ll get a chance to interview once this nine-game stint is through. With a young team nearing contention, the Padres fancy a calloused hand steering the ship in 2020, which presumes someone other than the would-be rookie skipper. At the same time, he’s popular among the players, and his ability to speak Spanish is a significant plus in San Diego. The connection he’s forged with catching prospect Francisco Mejia should also play in his favor. Barajas managed Mejia last season in Triple-A, and he’s continued as his advocate in 2019 during Mejia’s first significant extended look in the big leagues. A .267/.318/.439 line has Mejia looking again like a long-term possibility behind the dish and a nice feather in the cap of Barajas. Still, plenty of uncertainty looms in San Diego…
- What that uncertainty means for 2019’s Opening Day starter is a renewed fight for his rotation life. Eric Lauer has been a steady contributor this season, but nothing is guaranteed for the lefty moving forward, per MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell. Lauer is 14-17 with a 4.40 ERA/4.35 FIP over 52 starts the last two seasons, but with raised expectations entering 2020, the Padres aren’t contenting themselves with the kind of modest production they’ve received from Lauer. Dinelson Lamet looks like a rotation piece in his return from Tommy John (3.92 FIP, 12.9 K/9), and rookie stud Chris Paddack secured his spot for 2020, but it’s an open audition otherwise. Lauer will lock horns with Garrett Richards, Joey Lucchesi, Cal Quantrill, as well as top prospect MacKenzie Gore and whoever else the Padres add to the field before Spring Training.
- Infielder Greg Garcia knows the drill for teams coming off a losing season. The former waiver claim played Thursday’s game at Petco Park fully aware that he could be on the move again this offseason, per Acee, though it’s been a solid season for the native of nearby El Cajon, California. While providing capable defense at second, shortstop, and third, Garcia put forth a .248/.366/.356 line across 367 plate appearances. That level of on-base ability with the defensive versatility he provides makes Garcia an asset worth rostering, though for San Diego, that may depend on what kind of arbitration raise he would receive on his $910K salary. The 30-year-old could return in a similar role next year, though with Ian Kinsler on hand to back up the presumptive starting infield of Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Luis Urias, it would be fair for Garcia to feel somewhat jittery about his future with the Friars.
the Padres should deap Urias before his value drops any further.
Drop him right into the starting 2B spot next year, yes.
Urias has to at least hit his weight, come on, he’d still be in AA on most all other teams
I doubt he weighs .216 and as mentioned he has a .358 OBP in September (.324 for the season).
“The Padres should trade Rizzo before his value drops any further” -Padres fan, Sep. 2011
Nailed it
You forgot that he “Has a long swing, can’t lay off pitches in the dirt, is scared of large ballparks and is uncoachable.”
“Holds his hands too low…”
Starting 2b next season. Hes learning to hit at the ML level. I think he will eventually become really good
If MLB pitch velo starts dropping Urias is going to be great. When fastballs top out at 90MPH he’ll be MVP material.
As bad as he’s been, his OBP still is on par with guys like Machado, Hosmer etc. Once he picks it up—-he’ll be an on-base machine. Padres need that.
Has a .358 OBP in September but sure.
Kinsler.
……and Preller remains employed.
Absolutely ridiculous.
Myers, Hosmer, Kinsler, etc.
Kinsler was good in his day. He should retire.
Preller is big on has been players.. I wouldn’t be surprised if signed Felix Hernandez to a five year deal this winter.
That’s a good one! King Felix to Padres for 16 mil 2 years
Short sighted. You don’t make the investments that have been made the last five years and drop the guy that is spear heading it.
You do if the investments he’s made will bankrupt the team for the next decade. Somebody should take the checkbook away and replace it with a comb.
A San Diego professional sports franchise has never made this level of investment towards winning, something we’ve all been waiting for and we still find ways to complain. This has to be seen all the way through or else it’s just more of the same.
Plan all along was 2020. If another loosing season then yes on the hot seat, one more year to course correct in 2021.
Agreed. How does Preller still have his job
2020 playoffs or his bootie is out the door
Preller is horrendous
Myers the Anti MVP by Joel Sherman
He was not the worst player in the NL, but he is a symbol of an organization that could not afford to shoot high and miss like this one. Myers and Eric Hosmer both had negative WAR numbers. Myers has four years at $81 million left and doesn’t even start regularly any longer. Hosmer has five years at $99 million left and has devolved into just a meh player. Manny Machado, with nine years at $270 million left, was good, not great this year and after being one of the biggest stories of last offseason. When was the last time you even thought about Manny Machado? He is in baseball witness protection now. That trio will make $70 million next year for a team that might not even have a $100 million payroll. That is untenable.
Preller must have dirt on owners
Garcia is a true pro, he can get on base and work a count. Something everyone else in that lineup should try once or twice. If they run him out of town it will be a sign that the powers that be haven’t figured out how any of this works.
He hits lefty while all the other infielders other than Hosmer hit righty. Unless another utility infielder shows up with better bat and glove skills, his job should be safe. His arbitration salary isn’t a significant burden, especially in the context of the job he did this year on and off the field. He’s a solid guy with no ego, perfect for the role.
I like him. Fire Kinsler
This team is right on the cusp of contending….. in 2027
Your optimistic saying 2027
Jeez
Bingo
Kinsler is on a relatively reasonable deal though. Hosmer was WAY overpaid and Machado has been good, not great.
Dfa Kinsler, trade six of the guys on the 25 man roster and get three decent ML players, tired of losing every year. Major changes needed with the start of a good seasoned Mgr. on a three yr contract.
The 6 that they’d need to trade wouldn’t fetch much and would probably have to include keeping a lot of the salary, as it would have to include Myers. Nobody is dumb enough to pay him what the Padres will have to pay him for the next 4 years. Maybe they can take another overpaid criminal like Oliveira for Myers and swap salaries and then DFA the criminal again.
After 300 innings I’m going to say Lucchesi looks like a capable #4. Should have no problems finding a rotation spot.
At least not on the Padres, any other team he’d be in AA.
There’s going to be a lot of competition for the #4 and #5 rotation spots. And only Paddack who’s worthy of the #1-#3 spots.
Mejia is the way to go. Get Hedges out of there… or maybe teach him to bat left-handed, since he wouldn’t be much worse than he is with the bat right now.
Does oatmeal help you manage your diabetes?
diabeetus*
I may go Mejia and Allen. Let Hedges walk
Throw in Hedges, Myers and Lauer and get a top SP and utility IF who can make contact, let’s make it happen. Tired of all these excuses, this team isway to use to losing need a winning Mgr. to turn their stinking thinking around.
You are not getting a top SP for any package that includes Wil Myers. No one is going to trade anything of worth and take on his contract.
This team needs to trade Renfore, Margot, Myers, Kinsler, Hedges, two of their fairly decent pitchers and get two top SP’s, OF, 1B (utility), IF (utility) no more prospects please, get Major leaguers for once. Get guys who can hit with runners on base, get guys who make contact, get guys who can pitch seven or eight innings, where is our past RIP Kevin Towers. We keep saying next year next year if this team doesn’t make the playoffs in 2020 say goodby to Preller. I truly hope we get a veteran Mgr. Maddon, Giradi, Washington one of those three would be a step in the right direction.
Nobody is trading for Myers. The Padres aren’t going to hire Ron Washington or Joe Maddon. And no one knows who Renfore and Giradi are.
Daa you should be use to misspells LOL, your the old monkey boy we use to make fun of nice try go back to playing hop scotch..
Where is your Tatis now Monkey Boy
I have no idea who that is.
Still waiting for you to address the issue of you saying that “Trea Turner is injured more than he is on the field” even though he has only spent 11 days on the DL/IL in his entire professional career (major and minor league) with a non-HBP related injury.
I know your beloved by everyone on this board, LOL
you’re*
“with a young team nearing contention” ??? They are 70-90. They’re nearing the basement. There’s no reason to believe that Hedges, Hosmer, Kinsler, Renfroe, Margot or Myers will be any better than we’ve seen over the past 2-3 years. The pitching staff is mediocre at best. They’re still a few years from contending for anything but their safe place in the basement.
Make that 70-91 pathetic