caulfield12

And Mazara, EE, Gio, Grandal, Cishek? He’s made two good moves in last five or six years of free agency...McCann, who we pretty much can’t retain due to Grandal or get anything back for, and Keuchel. We also didn't add to outfield or LHR options when there were plenty of options that wouldn’t have cost Madrigal, Kopech, Vaughn, Dunning, Cease, Stiever .... etc. Also left Garrett Richards off Padres’ starters list...ooops. Clevinger, Paddack, Lamet, M.Gore, Richards, Davies.

If Marco Paddy and KW were not around...we still sign Abreu/Robert and know to trade for Moncada (instead of Devers/Benintendi) and Jimenez/Cease as well? Not buying that. We’re also very fortunate Giolito was mostly fixed by someone outside the organization in the 2018-19 offseason. But, more than FA signings, having Renteria lead the way might be the biggest risk of all.

Depends on Seager, Bellinger and Betts all staying healthy. And that LAD starting pitching staff (Urias/May/Gonsolin on back end). With Gore and Clevinger on the way, and Lamet coming out of nowhere to look like a Top 10 Cy Young award candidate, they're not as far away as you'd think. And they've played and Dodgers more competitively the last series or two than any time in the last decade.

It's not possible to have a favorite team in each league? Okay, then move it to the Diamond Club. It's the biggest story in MLB today, is it not? And it also involves the Indians, one of our biggest rivals. But that's fine, do whatever you want, it doesn't matter and I'm not going to be in the least bit upset. People can read and understand about other teams in MLB...I was gone the first three months here last year, so I had almost no choice since there are no other decent Sox boards and I still enjoyed discussing baseball, and there's a lot to learn from following other teams, other announcers, radio pairings at MLB Gameday Audio or MLB.TV, etc. You'll note I also started the Luis Robert THE LEGEND thread. Not only that, but one of the biggest and most consistent backers of Nick Madrigal. You won't see a negative word from me on here about either Robert or Madrigal, fwiw. People get so salty in here. The Padres are constantly tinkering, the White Sox playing it conservative once again. Just interesting to watch the two diametrically opposed approaches play out. Of course, if we had a team like the Dodgers or Cubs in our way with unlimited pockets, it would be tougher going. In that sense, the White Sox are QUITE fortunate to be in the AL Central, even though they've gone a decade without being able to take advantage of it.

https://www.mlb.com/news/mike-clevinger-padres-trade-deadline Clevinger deal caps Padres' astounding haul RHP Mike Clevinger, from Cleveland OF Greg Allen, from Cleveland C Austin Nola, from Seattle RHP Austin Adams, from Seattle RHP Dan Altavilla, from Seattle DH Mitch Moreland, from Boston RHP Trevor Rosenthal, from Kanas City C Jason Castro, from Angels Player to be named, from Cleveland The biggest losses here are Trammell (acquired from Reds, but underachieving, he was supposed to replace Wil Myers) and Quantrill (basically similar to Dane Dunning). Probably Andres Munoz #3, that guy can throw 99-102, touching 103. France and Naylor are NICE bats to have, but nothing amazing or irreplaceable IMO. Padres still hold onto CJ Abrams (who can play anywhere) as well as Top 5-6 pitching prospects (including Mackenzie Gore, best LHP prospect in the game and Anderson Espinoza, who was their #1 prospect as recently as 2017, throws 100+ but has had a slew of injuries/setbacks in his young career. OF becomes Pham in LF (they've gotten very little out of him THIS year so far, recently injured), Trent Grisham (trade with MIL for Urias/SS-2B) and Wil Myers (Profar and Naylor mixed in there, as well as INF for Jurickson) Machado, Tatis, Jr., Cronenworth and Hosmer (Moreland becomes DH/1B/PH, replacing France/Naylor spot) Catcher is dramatically improved, with Nola/Castro/Mejia (will sit on him and let him slowly develop year by year, still has a ton of potential IMO, especially LH bat with pop.) Future rotation of Clevinger/Paddack/Gore/Lamet and any number of 5th starters (tons of prospects along with Kyle Davies, who came over from MIL in offseason) Greg Allen becomes their version of Adam Engel Altavilla, Adams very nice (and needed) reinforcements for bullpen....with Yates out, Pagan/Rosenthal/Pomeranz/Stammen/Strahm really need to pick up the slack. Lots of talent out there, plus all the spillovers from starters who can't make the rotation (Patino/Baez/Morejon/Weathers/Espinoza, etc.) The biggest needs going into today were a veteran DH/1B bat (Moreland), shoring up the catching spot (Nola/Castro) and bullpen (numerous additions.) They managed to do all three, as well as adding a capable defensive outfielder in Allen to back up in late innings and PR. Now with Profar, Castro, Mejia, Moreland, etc., they've really got a much more experienced, veteran mix on the bench. They're still ONE year off from closing on the Dodgers, but narrowing the gap...and quickly. Especially if Machado's back to being a 1.000+ OPS hitter and carrying the team on his back, like recently.

They are the KW Swinging Di—s, Riverboat Gamblers or Hunch Players right now. Hahn has always been so much more conservative. And, other than McCann, EE...Mazara...and especially Chisek have disappointed. Keuchel has been great, so far. Grandal just so so for biggest contract in history, plus mixing/matching playing time complication germinating with too many bats and Collins/Vaughn blocked atm. Will take his walkoff and hope that wakes him up. Luckily, so much talent in lineup not even Hahn can screw it up. Abreu/Robert/Moncada/Jimenez were all heavily scouted by Paddy and/or KW. The Eaton trade looks like a huge win other than Lopez, huge cloud of doubt imo hanging over Kopech. Same with Q deal.

They like Florida a lot more as home base, fwiw...or the Dominican. Just hope Jeter doesn’t get to spend any real money.

Padres still retain core of their young pitching prospects, which are Gore, Patino, Morejon, Baez, Weathers. Quantrill 5th starter, swingman. Miller is a bit like a gritty Madrigal/Hoerner fringy 2B but without the upside of those two. Illinois Stater. Overachiever. Hedges couldn’t hit his way out of a paper bag but great defender. Interesting how Padres now have Mejia...who was Indians’ top ranked prospect and catcher. Mejia needs/needed everyday playing time or to be shipped out/traded/AAA. Mejia the LH bat who should now get more opportunities unless they make yet another move or PTBNL is a veteran catcher. Poor overall defender but cannon for an arm. Reminds me a bit of Miguel Olivo. Naylor has upside but hasn't translated offensive potential into high MLB power numbers. 800ish ops, not a great defender in corner OF, more a DH or 1B. They killed (so far) the Grisham for Urias deal...Milwaukee GM seldom gets taken to the cleaners. Lots of names Involved here, but none really stand out at all. Emergence of Cronenworth has mitigated the need for guys like Naylor and France, and they seem determined to push forward with veteran Profar due to experience and versatility, perhaps better clubhouse chemistry/fit.

Isn’t Ray’s velocity down quite a bit this year?

Don't really love the feel of this game at all...not after yesterday.

Anderson trying to pull everything now...

Mazara very obviously moved his back foot into the ball. That's a NEAT trick. Not easy to do.

Waiting to see Hahn trying to spin retaining Mazara if he doesn't homer in this short season...got him on the foot. Didn't swing? Nope, check it. Hit in the back foot.

So it's the back of Moncada's leg, but it's NOT the hamstring? That only leaves the quads/calf/gluteus maximus, lol.

The hat trick, 8 k's, 3 from Mendick...

Because that would have brought even more attention down on that umpiring group than they're already going to get from NYC.

Career high 101 pitches now for Bubic....on his last legs.

Matheny going after 1B ump. Robert takes a walk. Can't say that ump isn't try to going after the manager, who has always been a jacka--, but know how to stay in your lane there dude. Don't go initiating a confrontation with the dugout when you know it's all on you for making the wrong call.

Former White Sox 1B/OF prospect Jose Martinez to the Cubbies....fwiw. Mitch Moreland from BOS to SDP.

Aka put away (see Lopez, Reynaldo).

That was a Mize start, pretty sure...

Wow, that looks like a huge gift from the 1B umpire on the appeal. Definitely want to see the replay on that one. Second time its happened to Soler today.

Marshall shook off three signs there from McCann. Struggling a bit with his confidence in the last couple of weeks.

Seems rather than a starting pitcher, the single biggest need with Bummer out is a lockdown 8th inning guy. And those don't come cheap at all. (For example, Padres have added two already in Pagan during the offseason from TB, now Rosenthal from the Royals.)

Let's not give Yasmani an opportunity to recruit Soler to the White Sox, lol... Or, if he does get on, it's only on an infield hit. Need to get out of this inning with the lead intact, or we'll be starting to hear some of those "oh, no...the bullpen is really not as reliable as we once thought it was" whispers in the back of the mind.