The Giants and Padres are among the teams showing interest in free agent center fielder Harrison Bader, tweets Jon Morosi of MLB.com. Both teams also remain involved on KBO star Jung Hoo Lee.
San Francisco president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi called center field a priority at the start of the offseason. The Padres created a pair of outfield vacancies with last night’s blockbuster that sent Juan Soto and Trent Grisham to the Bronx.
The Giants have a wider array of possibilities tied to their greater financial flexibility. San Francisco’s 2024 payroll projects around $40MM below this past season’s opening mark, as calculated by Roster Resource. That makes San Francisco a legitimate threat to land any player on the open market, including top center fielder Cody Bellinger.
A run at Bellinger isn’t likely for the Padres, but the Soto trade clears some room to attack the middle tiers of the market. Roster Resource pegs the Friars’ payroll around $156MM, while their luxury tax number (which uses contracts’ average salaries) sits in the $209MM range. Dennis Lin of the Athletic wrote this morning the Friars prefer to keep their tax number below next year’s $237MM lowest threshold.
That’d be more than enough to accommodate Bader. He’s a rebound target after perhaps the worst season of his career. The 29-year-old hit .232/.274/.348 in 344 plate appearances with the Yankees and Reds. That marked his personal low on-base and slugging marks. Bader had a trio of stints on the injured list, missing time with oblique, hamstring and groin strains.
While that’s clearly not how he envisioned his platform year playing out, Bader had combined for a league average .259/.311/.414 slash between 2021-22. He’s an excellent defender in center field and went 20-23 on stolen base attempts in 98 contests this year. Bader is an asset against left-handed pitching, carrying a .262/.330/.494 slash in his career. His .236/.304/.364 mark versus righty arms is far less imposing, but Bader’s speed and glove can keep him in the lineup in unfavorable platoon situations.
Please don’t Giants. If/when you fail to land any player of significance don’t double down on the mistakes again like you did last offseason. No one wants to play for the Giants and that’s very frustrating but signing mediocre players to look like you’re doing something will continue to pour dirt on this franchise.
You know and I know Bader is a perfect giant.
Good skill set but he’s injury prone and can’t hit righties consistently well. He’ll get you a GG if he can log enough innings in CF though
He’d be a platoon with Yastrzemski. The Giants will employ platoons all over because Estrada is the only player worth playing full time.
perfect = can’t hit?
Sure is ! Another player who can’t hit!
The difference is that Bader is a quality fielder at a premium defensive position. The Giants would then be able to push Yaz and Slater to the corners, where they are also quality fielders. Bader isn’t my top choice, but he (and anyone else that can field CF well) is a good fit for the roster
Another OFer who can’t hit. None power, too
They don’t need Harrison Bader, they have Arson Judge from last season.
Old
What hitter really wants to hit in that big ball park, Ohtani?
Ones like Lee that hit for average I’m sure. Posey loved it, Bonds hit better there than on the road. Not sure your point
Why not try for Bellinger for $30 million a year, for 7 or 8 years? I guess you can overpay for Lee also.
I wouldn’t pay that dude 30 million a year if I were in that front office. And I definitely would overpay to get Lee and overpay for Yamamoto, sign Hoskins and call it a good year.
I just screenshot your comment and if Ohtani ends up playing there, we’ll just ensure you eat crow..
Are they recruiting Bonds and Posey?
No
Who said they were? Those are called examples. Are you just side busting on a conversation?
This guy named Bonds hit a few out at that ballpark. Real sluggers don’t care what park they’re at
I agree with your take on signing Bellinger. I think the Yankees aren’t in on Bellinger anymore after Soto trade. Cubs, Toronto and Giants should be front runners.
Ohhh, because the Giants were all in on Judge eventually missing out and Heyman with the typo Arson. I get it, hahaha. Dude that’s clever and hilarious. Well done bro
Cap I like you but that’s a rough one.
Careful. Admitting to liking schoolgirls is dangerous.
Just stop pretending players actually want to sign with the Giants, when they don’t.
If players didn’t want to sign with the Giants, how do you explain Correa wanting to? Plus more of the top 50 FAs signed with the Giants than any other team.
Gross overpay!
Correa has termites in his ankle, look at that production from last year.
Fred, Hindsight is great, but is irrelevant to the point made. The extent of the problem in Correa’s ankle was unknown going into the offseason last year. It didn’t become a factor until the Physical. That’s why MLBTR had him as #2 behind Judge in their top 50. It’s also why the Mets made a big offer after the Giants passed. So the argument that he wasn’t a top FA because of his ankle is spurious.
Agree completely!
CCooper8920 — I sure wish fans like you would stop the negative narrative until the off season is completed.
Yes, Nobody wants to play for the San Francisco Giants. And there’re are legitimate reasons.
1) The Giants have losing culture ( Only one winning season since 2016)
2) It’s cold. There is a reason why so many MLB players live in Arizona and Florida
3) Pac Bell, AT&T or Oracle , Whatever the name of the ballpark is Not a hitters park
Also, even if an Impact hitter was considering SF , he would would ZERO protection in that wretched line up
4) The city of San Francisco currently has a terrible image.National news stories on excessive Crime, Drug Abuse, Human Feces in the street.
Once again, even if the player is considering SF his Wife ain’t having it!! No way
Clown take
I’ve been saying this since I had the misfortune of visiting San Francisco… it’s gross. I’ve been to a lot of major cities and San Francisco is honestly the most disgusting city I’ve ever been to. Anyone who replies “every city has it bad parts” doesn’t understand how bad the Bay Area is. I can walk out of the peninsula hotel in Chicago and be fine, I walked out of the Ritz in San Francisco and there are junkies everywhere.
Not only that, the weather is terrible and it’s the most expensive city in the US. So not only do you live in a toilet, you pay a premium to do so.
Those weren’t junkies they were midwestern tourists
“I’ve been sayin this” To who? Yourself? Super clown take bro. Can tell your one of those fox news watchers who has never actually been to the bay area. Your whole description was a lie. Lets stick to sports and leave politics out. Clown.
I haven’t watched Fox News since I was overseas and it was playing in the chow hall.
I base my opinion on the time I went to Pixar and Lucas studios and driving through Oakland and San Francisco, San Francisco is a toilet full of junkies and Oakland is a porta-potty.
My wife regularly has to visit the Bay Area and agrees with its disgustingness and neither of us care about politics. You apparently do.
You’re lying. I go to SF and Oakland all the time. 99% of SF is spotlessly clean. You’re a joke and come off as just a hater.
parts of Oakland can be depressing to witness, no doubt. But if you’ve traveled around, a lot towns and cities in the US are in similar shape. I’m not sure I understand why you would target the entire Bay Area, where there’s also quite a bit of opulence. Maybe not political, but this isn’t about sports.
“But property crime is off the hook. And overt misery is off the hook. And the budget of San Francisco has ballooned. So people are frustrated.”
Direct quote from Joe Eskenazi
Its a red flag that they are politically biased. SF is a known liberal city. Take a guess at who “drasco” votes for?
“What’s more, there are more overtly miserable people out than there used to be, for lack of a better word. You’re seeing more chaotic, horrific conditions.”
“You earlier mentioned crime, and in people’s minds, being uneasy about drug use in the streets or antisocial behavior is equated in their minds with crime. People feel uneasy, and that’s understandable.”
lol I’m apolitical.
be political, be biased, be what you be. But try keep it sports here?
“Property crime” happens in every major city and is not the same as being a toilet, which suggests filth being everywhere, and is not the same as your politically motivated over exaggeration of “junkies everywhere”, which would imply that, everywhere you look, you would see, junkies, everywhere. Which is just a lie that someone who has never been here would say. Again, I visit SF all the time for Giants and Warriors games and it is clean and free of junkies except for a couple of bad streets.
Again, I visit SF all the time. No chaos, no horrific conditions.
I have never seen any drug use in the streets of San Francisco. Just a straight up lie.
You know who else said he wasn’t political? trump. Lol. Stick to sports clown.
sounds like you only hung out in downtown area..there’s a ton of places that are nice in San Francisco..
The Giants have a losing culture? You’re a clown.
I thought Giants had 5 outfielders?
If the Giants get Bader they will still have five outfielders for most of the season.
Lee told me he is signing in San Diego because he loves my mothers cooking
NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Lee will be a padre. They need him and his best bud Kim has been fully recruiting him.
He wants to play center and the padres just cleared the way for him.
Maybe he’s an addition because Conforto may be traded
Conforto isn’t very tradeable.
Don’t know. If Giants ate $5-6M of that contract , he just might be.
Trade Conforto? For what, a ballboy? He is untradeable!
The Giants will offer the Zaidi special: 2 years $24 million, opt out after year 1.
For Harrison Bader? That’s actually a good deal. Why would you want to commit long term for to the guy?
If he plays well, then yeah, he opts out, but he helps the Giants’ cause.
Preller just salary-dumped Grisham, who makes $5M, so he can turn around and sign a more injury-prone version of the same exact player for twice as much money? Always 5D chess with that guy.
Along with Soto and his projected 33mil ish final arb year. That’s money they can spend on a new cf and pitching.
Padres realistically have about 25 million to spend unless they unload another big contract. That really isn’t going to get you much with this inflated market
True but they can make trades for cheaper players.
Padres have about 5-6 holes on the team right now. Some of them will be filled with prospects of their own
No one really can say they know what their plan is or how much $ they will spend
IMO, in part because I really want him, the Padres should trade Tatis.
If Preller can pull a deal similar to what he got from the Yankees, young players with control and a solid prospect while clearing payroll, the Padres would be in good shape.
Wet dream
That’s because you cannot see the forest through the trees. Also, based on your posts, you are delusional about the Padres spending ability.
Tatis trade value is nearly 6 times sotos. Would take a deal like the padres gave up for Soto.
Tatis has an aav of 24m that ends at age 35. He will be at least a 5 war or greater players.
Reports are the padres want to stay under the tax this year. That leaves them 28m to spend.
So far all reports have been more right then wrong.
When I said “like Soto” I was referring to getting solid major league ready talent as well as high prospects.
Just spit balling because I’m a Cubs fan, but Morel, Assad, Wicks or Brown, Canario and Alcantara I imagine would look pretty enticing. That would give you Morel, who would probably make a solid LF and had proven he can hit ML pitching and make adjustments. Canario would has a ton of power and can play all three outfield positions, two pitchers ready to step into the rotation (or one very high upside pitcher near ML ready) and Alcantara who’s a five tool prospect.
Plus, the Padres first pick is protected, it would allow them nearly 40 million to spend on free agency while filling multiple holes.
So far everything Preller has done has been more wrong than right, so I guess it’s balanced out.
You might want to check BTV before making ridiculous trade ideas. The Cubs would have to add both PCA and Horton to get equal value, and the Padres wouldn’t do that anyways. Keep dreaming.
You’re so cleaver and witty, crazy you’re still single living in your moms basement.
Ad hominem attacks are a sign of a weak argument drasco.
Giants will sign Lee, they have plenty of money to outbid for his services. Pass on Bader
Giants would definitely have to outbid the padres by a decent amount to get him to sign with them vs the padres.
He will be a padre.
Doubt it, Giants needs and desperation will far outweigh padres money. The only way Lee goes there is if he wants to play there. Giants have deeper pockets
That’s my point, he is going to want to go there. Kim has been working with him everyday and has said he wants him on the padres. The padres have been in on him forever.
The giants aren’t going to be like we are desperate here is a 100m.
He is going to get 5/50-70m. Well within the range for either team.
I know it might be a warm fuzzy feeling thinking that because someone knows someone they will want to sign there but these dudes get posted for one reason, that’s money. If it takes 5/80 for the giants to sign him and get him there then it’ll happen. Giants are desperate and are begging players to take their money.
Giants even though are beggars don’t usually spend unwisely. Lee is far from a sure thing.
Look at Kim he still is trying to figure out how to hit consistently. Yes he has gotten better but even last year the final two months he didn’t hit for nothing.
If the giants are going to overpay it will likely be on bellinger or Chapman.
SIMM, Lee if I’m reading right is a solid defender, and has good contact skills low strikeout rate…perfect for oracle. I’m sure if Lee passes on the Giants it’s because of destination over money.
Lee hit almost nothing vs fastballs 93
Or greater. He is a project and there is a reason he will get like 50-60m not 100+
He isn’t someone you over pay. There are real questions on if he can be a center fielder as well.
He is a good project worth taking a chance on but he is far from not being a total bust.
I see on obp of .400 on average, fielding percentage of .992…looks like he has a great eye and the fastballs are something most professional’s can adjust to. Although you might be correct on being a project, the Giants spent a lot of time scouting him overseas. I’m sure they’re wanting to invest
Lee will not come to the majors and have a 400
Obp.
If that was the case he would get 300m not 50-60.
I agree with that also, and agree he won’t bat in the mid .300’s either, but I can see the Giants not wanting to let him get away, even if it costs them a few million more.
he isn’t going to be a good player so…
those skills do not make a star player though. the Giants are desperate but not to sign mid tier guys. yikes, what a laughingstock that franchise has become. no respect among any players or agents. yOu should have heard how they were roasting farhan on the petros and money show LA sports radio yesterday !
Chipsss…I don’t buy into trash talk, or bs opinion’s of especially LA sports. That’s like me telling you about a SF talk show roasting the Dodgers for all their heavy contracts and no rings bs…I love the game of baseball and respect what every player is trying to accomplish…I never stated Lee was going to be a star player.
Simm — You ever watch the Lee videos in center field? The guy is an excellent defender.
I’m telling you what the so called “experts” have said.
Lee could take 2.5 years to adjust to MLB the way Kim did. With Preller’s job on the line he may not want to take that delay.
In 7 seasons in Korea, Kim had an OBP around .390, BA of ,300, OPS .870, and as we’ve seen those numbers have come way down in MLB. Expect the same departures from Lee.
Just curious – how has that outbidding worked out for them lately?
Longtime….if you truly follow the Giants you would know that Zaidi hasn’t had the payroll to really flex other then last year after all those bad contracts. Judge to me was a bullet dodged and Correa did sign, and was smart for the Giants to pass. So I’m confident they’ll get what they need this year.
Looks like you guys are about to dodge another bullet in Ohtani then. You must be happy.
I would prefer them not signing ohtani for sure. I’m more on Lee, Yamamoto, Hoskins type guy
I can see Hoskins as a good fit there. Feel like right handed pull guys can hit some jacks there. Plus it’s a short term deal which seems like a giant thing. Probably have to outbid the cubs for him.
Yamamoto I don’t see. Hard for me to see the giants being picked over both New York teams, Cubs, dodgers, Red Sox.
Anyways one out of three isn’t bad. I do think you guys might get snell. As a backup plan.
Also think you guys get Chapman.
I think Lee is a padres.
Yamamoto is a Yankee
But Chapman, Hoskins, snell would be a good offseason. Of course id personally pass on Chapman because I don’t think he is worth it.
If you think Judge was a bullet dodged your not to bright.
No way they should have let him get away. You can not get any star players to sign there. He was a local kid grew up a fan and you should not have let Semien get to the Tangers the year before either. He literally grew up in San Fransisco woulda been his dream to play in the city he grew up in.
Farhan is terrible. He ruined the proud franchise by trying to prove he is the smartest man in baseball. All these platoons. Signing starters to come out the bullpen to piggyback RP that start the game. Trying to reinvent the game. The 107 win team was pure luck.
I don’t know how he keeps his job.
And Bailey is overrated too. Better than a lot of catchers in the league but nowhere near as good as Giant fans think he is.
I agree with you on Judge and Correa. I just know that highest bid doesn’t always work – padres had highest offer on Turner and possibly even Judge for example.
Yeah players once they get to that level
Of money will go where they want to be. It’s just isn’t the giants.
^ this guy? Haha…steelerbravewhatever, I’m thinking you have zero clue on the efforts the Giants put on Judge. My opinion of not wanting him for all those years is mine alone, Judge was drafted by the Yankees and I knew he was going to stay a Yankee. That’s like saying Buster Posey would sign with the another team…There was nothing the Giants could do to pry him away from that.
SIMM…I’ll pass on Chapman, Jd was the same hitter last year for way less. I agree it’s going to be an uphill battle for Yamamoto but he’s a once in a lifetime grab and I doubt the Giants would get outbid on him. Like all the rest, it’ll come down to destination. 8/260 mill is my prediction, maybe spread out more, exciting time of the year that’s for sure
I’ll go 12 years 320m. Then a posting fee of another 50 plus million.
This guy has every single big market team wanting him. No way he signs for 8 years. He is 25, 12 years isn’t even that bad.
Prob get an opt out after 2-3 years as well.
He gonna get paid big time.
I agree 100%, which is why I think the Giants can’t afford to let him go anywhere else. They have a big hole they need to fill in that rotation with Webb, and have more money to chuck around than almost any team. If it takes that amount of cash to land him then I would hope they do it.
“Woulda been his dream….”
You do know it was Judge they made the decision to not sign on SF, right?
That Giants are a good chance at Yamamoto for reasons you have described. They have been on him a long time, like the Padres and Lee. The ballpark is pitcher friendly, just as you describe. They will have excessive amounts of money to spend on him, especially if like you say, they are out on Ohtani.
You might want to tone down the certainty in your predictions. From where I sit, it hasn’t been working out too well for you. Knowing stuff for sure, does seem to be a Padre fan thing though.
Hoskins is terrible. and Yamamoto won’t come to SF. Are you actually Farhan in disguise lol
I agree with you mostly, but ownership are the true cancer. They brought in farhan because they knew his ego would love the “challenge” of dumpster diving constantly. this is why he still has a job right now. if the owners cared about winning rings, farhan would be gone
Balk, Not sure why you want Hoskins. IMO he would be the second-coming of Joc Pederson. Hoskins is a defensive liability, even at 1B. Some teams with really solid lineups can afford the luxury of a DH-only guy, but I don’t see the Giants as being in that situation.
Foppert…haha, there’s nothing in my comments that state certainty. What I’m saying is they’re going to be 100% all in on Yamamoto especially if they miss on Ohtani. They are all in on all three of the top FA this year. They stated they want at least one. They know the fan base won’t show if they don’t get a face to that franchise this year. Weather that happens or not is something else.
Chipsss, you sound like a hater and troll. Farhan in disguise? How old are you kid? Your opinion of Hoskins is YOUR opinion. I’d bet a lot of people would disagree with you on that. What are you? Yamamotos mama? You sound like you know him personally.
Simm — Correct, Chapman definitely not worth the money or a roster spot on the Giants.
Very old warn narrative, and unproven.
Yes, he always wanted to go back to the Yankees, and the Yankees were going to pay him whatever it took. I don’t know why that’s on the Giants. Plenty of teams get overbid or a destination is more important to a player.
Not you, Balk. It was a reply to Simm. Sorry. Getting a reply in the right place is a challenge for me.
When it comes to hundreds of millions, 10s of millions do not matter as much. Especially when you factor in San Francisco’s extreme high cost of living and California’s ridiculous taxes.
I don’t see much of a pull to go to San Francisco from a team aspect either, since Fahdi took over, the Giants have been a middle of the pack team, their farm is middle of the pack, they don’t have anyone you “want to play with” are far as superstars, the weather and city are awful. And lastly, you play in a division with the Dodger, Snakes and Padres, who are all clearly better.
The only way for the Giants to correct themselves is to grossly overpay for a superstar, develop or trade for one. They cannot have the “we made our best offer” mentality because if it’s close, players will sign elsewhere.
Like La dodgers, or San Diego? lol.
Dude Giants should and can do so much better than dumpster diving for Harrison Bader. Zaidi needs to going after that KBO outfielder, Lee, and bidding for Yamamoto or Imanoga. Giants fans deserve better…
He is.
Giants deserve nothing, and that’s exactly what they’re going to get. Ahahaha!
no we don’t because the majority of us continue to be slobbering morons for all the lies johnson’s mouthpiece farhan throws at us. “local kid!” “his twin is here!” “he has a .400 obp in Korea!”
lmao
Giants fans are suckers for stories and think it’s truly possible to win without stars. sucks to realize this, but I’ve seen this since they hired farhan. it was always going to end up this way
That’s a little harsh
At least the slobbering morons don’t disappear when the games start. You come here for one reason and one reason only.
Weak as piss.
As side not I got a feeling bellinger sits on the market for a very long time.
I just don’t see a team paying him 250m. He is such a high risk.
The Yankees are out on him. If the giants are looking for Bader they may not be all that interested.
Who else is there the mariners who sound like they don’t want to spend any money.
The Padres sure in the hell aren’t on bellinger.
Red Sox?
Cubs?
Bellinger could go back to the Cubs or LA. How about the Mets for Bellinger. He would be an upgrade over Marte.
Hmmm, not so sure about that. Bellinger, of course, is younger. But Marte is a heckuva player even as he ages.
I’m honestly starting to think the Dodgers bring him back on a deal much lower than we expected. Something like 4 years with maybe some mutual options to make the possible payoff look better.
His defense is great in CF and if his bat is 80% of what it was last year he’s still a good hitter.
They have a cheaper and perhaps better guy there now. That doesn’t seem like a dodger move.
Cubs maybe since they can play him at first as well. They just haven’t seen to be all that interested in him.
He is prob the best fit on the giants. Maybe the giants will go for him since they aren’t getting Ohtani.
The Giants problem is a lack of outfield production largely due to injuries. This doesn’t fix that problem.
Their problem is Farhan
FZ, just . . . no. Learn from Haniger and Conforto.
Giants will try for Ohtani if not they will just keep trying they won’t stop because they aren’t the Rockies or Royals or As. They will keep going until they get that superstar
Technically the Rockies got bryant who they paid like a star.
Who the giants didn’t even make an offer to after they traded for him
Why would the Giants pay that dude. Smart they let the Rockies have him. Great pass
Agreed
I like Bader to the Padres.
Sign Lee out of SK to be the CF and let Merrill and Bader platoon LF or Lee and Bader platoon CF.
Could also use another RH corner bat
Michael Taylor?
Hunter Renfroe?
Randall Grichuk?
You don’t bring up the number 9
Prospect in baseball to Platoon. Plus Bader is a glove which you don’t get real value in left.
Why not? If he can mash RHs and Bader can mash LFs both will see regular playing time
.262/.330/.494 is more than enough for Bader to be a decent RH platoon option in LF
I’d bet Marsee would outhit Bader, he’d certainly be cheaper
Brew – you are usually better than this. You know I’m a huge Marsee fan but a 22 year old with about 1000 professional AB’s, 58 at AA shouldn’t be compared to a MLB veteran.
And I’m not saying I want Bader.
I meant it Long. ML pitchers figured out Bader a while ago and I’m not high on him. But yeah, maybe Marsee isn’t ready, sounds like Preller wants to give him consideration though it should be Shildt decision too. Hope they get someone else better than both.
I’ve seen a lot of the ST giving them a taste to motivate them in Peoria. Salas got a few games last year even – I saw him catch his first game in mlb camp and he looked like he belonged there behind the plate but lost at the plate. Yu was very high on him.
I’m thinking a Tirso or Azocar type for 50-60 games. Some others maybe in ST to see who shakes out.
But they need Lee for now and long term. Merrill in LF / Tatis in RF.
2025 – Lee in CF; Marsee in LF; Tatis in RF. Merrill at SS with Bog at 2b. Maybe Tatis to SS and Merrill stays in OF if he plays there in 24 and looks great.
Not sure how I feel about Merrill in OF, talk about tossing a rookie into the fire! If they trade Cronenworth, hope they don’t, then an OF mIF combo for Merrill could work, big maybe. Azocar definitely in the picture. We’ll see about Lee. Seems almost desperation need to get him now. Marsee showed impressive bat skills last year, he really could be a rapid riser.
Merrill did get a few games in minors. If he hits you have to find a spot for him so where?
Very high on Marsee. A June arrival would still be a very quick rise for a just turned 23 year old and only 2+ years of pro ball.
Still a few curious options out there.
David Johnson (MiL FA) was CF for El Paso last year and did ok. They have a lot of open spots on 40 which they didn’t last year.
Bader + Lee combined would generate about 12-13 HRs, presenting perhaps the lowest slug OF combo in baseball
I want nothing to do with Bader. I’ll take Azocar / Tirso and Lee to start 2024.
Still not a lot is Slugging but keeps things interesting until trade deadline and / or when Marsee is ready. Zavala to follow.
Before they signed Soto et. al the concern was that the Pads lacked slug. I’d hate to go back to the days of the Hosmer, Myers, Pham, Profar, Grady, Mateo and Frazier. A 2024 team of Lee, Carp, Azocar, Higgy and maybe Cooper and some rookies looks equally light if not much more so. Right now they have 2 guys who can hit 30 HRs, maybe 1-2 guys that can expect to hit 15-20. They need more pitchers for sure, but now they also need more punch in the lineup if they’re going to compete with the big boys.
Where is Merrill’s future position then?
He’s a SS but seemingly blocked for a while. Why not get him MLB AB’s?
Ok but Merrill is just 20 yr old
Michael A. Taylor is a good defensive CF with solid pop, but low OBP; you don’t sign him for a corner OF spot. Bader isn’t remotely close to a corner OF bat, either. Grichuk or Renfroe are both solid against RH; I wouldn’t platoon them, I think Renfroe can still start for a lot of teams because of his bat, and Grichuk has really solid 4th OF/fringe starter/fallback starter if a rookie falters written all over him. He’s versatile enough to play all 3 OF spots in a pinch, and has a solid bat.
Career wise Taylor is a
.256/.310/.436 hitter against lefties
Last year he hit .252/.313/.602 against lefties.
As a RH platoon option his elite defense and decent offense would be a nice cheap option in the corner.
Sometimes it’s not about how many runs you score it’s about defense and run prevention.
Oh hell naw!!!!!!!
Probably option B for the Padres and option D for the Giants
Maybe I think the padres are better off going with Marsee than Bader. Marsee is free and surely will get on base 28% of the time like Bader.
Simm – can’t rush Marsee and mess him up. Late 24 after seasoning or 25. Let him build confidence in AA.
Preller said yesterday he is going to be given a shot in spring to earn a job.
I don’t mind that. It’s a buildup for a young guy to have in mlb ST for a few weeks. Merrill will be there too but Marsee isn’t ready – unless he proves he is. Most likely he is there for 2 weeks and then reassigned. That isn’t a bad thing either.
Think marsee is like 23/24 he isn’t some 19
Fresh out of high school kid.
Merrill unless he is bad in spring training will make the team next year.
Think a couple of guys like Pauley will have a chance as well. The Padres are going to get younger next season. They got some dudes they want to give opportunities to.
Including guys like Thorpe and Snelling have a shot to be on the team. Prob less likely to start the season.
Yeah I think we could see Marsee early in 2024 and has a real chance to crack the opening day roster. I’m curious if internally if they think Lee would even out hit Marsee in 2024.
Do we want to commit the money to Lee with Kim in his walk year?
I definitely wouldn’t be surprised if the outfield by mid-May is:
LF: Jackson Merrill
CF: Jacob Marsee
RF: Fernando Tatis Jr.
Harrison Bader on a cheap 1 year deal I wouldn’t mind. Maybe bring back Profar as another inexpensive placeholder.
Simm – he is 22 (June) but even more is that he was drafted in 2022 and only played a small amount of AA games. AFL MVP is great but not a lot of pro ball under his belt. He gets a snapshot of mlb camp and then sent to be seasoned. From there, a strong 2 months of AA and maybe underperforming at MLB – ok.
Papi – see above as to why I don’t see Marsee out of camp but definitely end of May if he is performing.
I too currently like Merrill out of camp but it might be at 2b with Manny at DH first month. LF after that if he hits.
ltc-
Could Marsee show well enough in ST to have the possibility of Award qualification (and the associated draft benefits) be a consideration?
Real value there now …when teams get it right!
From what I’ve read, he seems to be on a serious upward trajectory. I recall and was at Sat the year of Tatis when he earned his spot. The team was a lot weaker then though (no discredit to Tatis). If he is hitting the mlb guys well – not just the other teams AA and AAA guys fine. The problem, you pass on Lee or anyone else and then he doesn’t – too late.
I’ve read teams asked about him at 23 trade deadline Ana’s then he goes and wins MVP of AFL so, I think his trade value is pretty high. I said earlier on a post somewhere that when top 100 shakes out with removals and updates, I think he makes it on there.
I’d like to see him for a long time in CF for Padres and wouldn’t rush is where I’m at for the risk isn’t worth the reward. Give it 45-60 games – not to mention getting the extra year of control.
Giants have “interest” in a lot of players, same as last year and the year before, and they have the financial flexibility because no big star wants to play in that ballpark. Bob Melvin said in a recent interview something like “the team is pretty good the way it is”. He mentioned Haniger, Conforto, etc. He talked about the rotation and he even mentioned… deSclafani. I don’t think Zaidi is to be blamed for everything but he’s waiting “for the dominoes to fall”. Amazing. They’re not telling the truth and fans don’t deserve this. Better to let the young guys play than signing mediocre players.
I actually think they have tried hard. There just seems to be this rep about living there that when you have other choices it’s just not an appealing place. Specially for hitters, that park is huge, those gaps a person could get lost in a never be found.
According to Statcast, Petco has a worse park factor than Oracle. Over the 3 year rolling average the PF for Oracle is 97 (100 is neutral), tied for 23rd. Petco has a PF of 95 ranking it ahead of only T-Mobile. The 97 of Oracle is down from last season when it was 100, because the team struggled with bats more so in 2023 than previous years.
Also, the fact that Oracle is not a good HR park (it ranks 28th for HRs), depresses the park factor. Guys that hit 2Bs and 3Bs will do well at Oracle. It has a PF of 100 ranking 15th for 2Bs, and it has a PF of 120 for 3Bs, ranking it 9th. Petco ranks 25th for 2Bs with a 92 PF, and 29th for 3Bs with a PF of 55.
All these numbers are post-reconfiguring of the park, which made it less pitcher-friendly. So if hitters want to avoid playing in SF they better avoid SD as well.
Yeah and most hitters will tell you that. Specially at night the ball doesn’t carry at all in petco.
The difference is people want to live in San Diego.
Climate in SF is slowly becoming pleasant like San Diego used to be, SD becoming more like LA used to be, LA is becoming like hell used to be. I know, I’ve lived in all four places.
I would stay with Matos before going to Bader. Numbers pretty close except age. Really hoping Bader is plan D. Play out some of the rooks longer if you can’t get a substantial upgrade. Plan D to just sign a somebody just blocks development on a couple guys who might turn out to be good players. Fitz, Ramos, Matos all just need more ABs. Some of us fans have more patience in the process. Young pitching is the key. Develop your own position players and go after pitching free agents who have no problem with a wind blown ball park.
I totally disagree. I think it’s more important to develop pitching first, then IF/C, and leave the OF to FAs. In fact, that’s how they were able to win 3 WS titles. The trouble with going after FA pitching is that most don’t reach free-agency until they’re around 30 or older. If they’ve been successful, which the top FAs will be, then they’re looking for 5-6 year deals. IMO that carries much more risk that the deals that Zaidi signed Conforto and Haniger to.
you’re right they absolutely do not tell the truth. Greg Johnson told the truth on accident when he slipped up and said he’s trying to at least break even
Why is it that top tier free agents, I don’t personally consider Correa in that category, want to sign in SF?
Does anyone know the absolute truth why this is?
Well I hear there is a map that shows all the human feces you have to dodge when walking around the park. Now I can’t confirm this but I did hear this and it seemed like a fact.
Maybe that’s not it but prob not the best recruiting tool.
“Hey Ohtani, make sure you download this app before coming to visit. We don’t want to ruin your shoes”.
Simm, The ignorance of this post show you’ve obviously never been to Oracle. There are problem areas in SF, but the area around the park is not one of them.
There are a lot of factors, but I think that players just don’t see it as a club that’s built to win anytime soon. They’ve been mired in a rebuild since Zaidi arrived, and it’s been five years of faceless platoons and waiver claims with Logan Webb being the only real developed homegrown talent. Add to that that it’s a hard park to hit in, an expensive city to live in (with a reputation that seems to be on the wane), and Gabe Kapler’s managing made enough players uncomfortable that he lost the confidence of the team.
Where is the evidence of “uncomfortable” and “lost the confidence of the team” ?
My goodness. What is with people always taking peoples words and turning them into different words. It’s so obvious and lame.
I think that’s a false perception due to Zaidi not pursuing any FAs, other than Harper, until last season. Harper and Judge are the only 2 failures in that regard. You may not consider Correa as a top FA, but the rest of MLB did, as evidenced by the Mets trying to sign him after the Giants passed.
Zaidi went after Harper, because it’s not often a talent like him, at his age, becomes available. Otherwise Zaidi was just waiting for those expensive contracts to expire. Now that they have he’s been much more aggressive. Don’t forget, despite the results, Zaidi signed more of the top 50 FAs than any other team last season.
and that’s why the team is now hopeless. you don’t “wait for contracts to expire” or for “the farm to come around”… you get good players when you can and you lock them up. that way, other players trust that you care about winning and will consistently invest in the club. Ohtani has no faith that this team would ever add anyone else after him, the history supports that. they’ve been blowing this for a decade now
The Giants are not “hopeless.” That’s just lazy.
In the world simplicity sure, but it’s not so clearcut as you portray it. The Giants had guys who were still productive. They could have eaten some of those contracts and opted for a marginal upgrade that would have been financially questionable without anything close to a guarantee of improvement. In case you don’t remember Zaidi did exactly what you say he should have in his pursuit of Harper.
I have a guess financially speaking I would say California state taxes at 13% per million.
Than the other would be the city it self right now.
Central Valley — Correa is a great player AND clubhouse presence. Very smart guy.
Awesome. Another injury prone platoon bat. Hopefully the Giants are just kicking the tires on this. Sounds like a typical Zaidi transaction though. Ugh.
Nobody wants to play on Oracle unless you’re a homegrown kid or a mediocre injury prone outcast.
SF is not showing interest in Bader.
This is a BS story.
Did they tell you that themselves?
Did Yamamoto tell you he was going to be a Yankee ?
And you know how ???
I hope so Dave.
Even though he had a horrible season, some stupid GM will overpay for him.
Why get rid of Grisham for another guy who can’t hit?
Cause Grisham didn’t have good platoon numbers. He was better against lefties than righties.
If youre gonna pursue someone like Bader it’s with the understanding he’s gonna need a LH platoon partner most likely.
They didn’t get rid of Grisham in a vacuum. Grisham was one piece added to facilitate a trade that they wanted to make for a better return.
Sure Jean I know, Cash asked and Preller said yes, but it was well known Grish was on the block well before the negotiation with the Yanks. It’s not that he was that is odd to me, it’s that Bader is so similar, and yet being considered as a replacement. Maybe Preller just likes him, that’s fine.
What we as fans don’t understand very well, is that every team has their own analyses of every player and prospect out there. Plus no team knows a player better than one on their roster. I had been somewhat of a Grisham fan, though the enthusiasm has waned, so I would guess that there were aspects of his game that the Padres weren’t good with.
Jean – well said. I know I didn’t like all of those strike 3 lookings because he “has such a good awareness of the strike zone.”
How about myles straw and Shane bieber, for slater, Yaz, and a top pitching prospect.
Would rather have are from
*Renfroe (stinkin’ auto correct)
I wish Bader well. Good health would be a good start.
I still say Othani going to Toronto, basically because he doesn’t want the press pressure that signing as a Dodger would cause.
Bellinger signing back with the Cubs he had a solid year, enjoyed playing at Wrigley.
Bader signing with the Padres
Yamamato signs with the Mets
Snell signs with the Boston
Dodgers make a deal with Milwaukee for Adames and Burnes
Phillies sign Hader
Who do you think will go to the Giants?
Maybe Chapman they could use a 3rd baseman
Right handed version of Grisham??
Pretty much
I sure don’t see the point in Bader and hope it’s just kicking the tires or a maybe an agent trying to use SD to pump of value. I’d rather have Grish (and maybe a little better prospect return) than what we got and then Bader – at least Grish is LH and can hit 15-20 HR’s.
It’s going to be all talk the rest of the offseason. Preller is done. This is the opening day roster.
Bader isn’t terrible, but he’s not a player you sign until all the better CF’s are off the board. This way, teams can tell their fanbase, hey we tried, but here’s something at least. And at that point Bader indeed looks better. Plays great CF, steals bases, ok! Great job, GM! All about the perception of trying.
Bader is definitely the type of player the Giants like and he will get paid like those players get paid. Giants tend to pay those guys like $14M-$18M a year. I think they’ll nab Bader for between 3 years/$42M to 5 yeas/$90M, so around 4 years/$66M or so.
This offseason and last are to help build a respectable team for Soto to join in 2025. I would much rather have Soto over ohtani.
Bader isn’t the answer…
They’re on a strict budget now, to what degree we just don’t know, there my not be an answer
They have room (moneywise) to make some acquisitions. They just need to be more selective on who they spend their money on. It won’t be on Bader…
Give me Lee and one of the better back of rotation (possible 4 guy) that are available and trade for Burnes or even Luzardo and things get a lot brighter in SD fast. 10 mill / year on Lee and maybe 10-12 / year on the pitcher and then salary of the traded for pitcher – adds up to about the value of Soto.
Fact is we don’t know how much they plan to spend, or what the plan is, or if there is a plan whether they plan to stick to the plan.
Typical Giants acquisition.
I would rather the Giants continue what they have been doing, signing mid-tier guys to 2 year contracts, then wasting money on ohtani. Soto is the real catch next off season. I’d much rather have Soto, who is 6 years younger than ohtani and Soto has better all around offensive numbers than ohtani in the same amount of years. ohtani is way over rated.
Anything is better than watching Grisham standing in the box taking fastballs down the middle of the plate every game
Baseball is 9o% mental
With Cronenworth being offered far and wide the writings on the wall for him. Another casualty of Preller’s bizarre lack of planning. So the Pads will also need a 1B, probably on the cheap.
Yep they could look to fill it with a prospect. Think the padres are going to roll out a number of rookies this coming season.
Nathan Martorella is the only 1B prospect and it would be surprising if he cracked the roster. Maybe a move to 1B by Bogaerts opening up SS to Kim and a spot at 2B for Merrill, but Im not for that sort of pinball wizardry. They should just keep Cronenworth (very unlikely they will after what has transpired this week) and see if he can level out his swing. He’s versatile and not that expensive really. Not sure what they gain by trading him other than $ dump to further slash budget. I don’t see a FA 1B that fits their $ model, wouldn’t want Hoskins!