caulfield12

OTOH, they’d basically be forced to sign one of these two whales or risk losing viability of the franchise to even survive in Chicago...so SOMETHING would have to give in the next 2-3 years, one way or the other. Because of 2005, there’s not nearly the same sense of urgency. They can make $50-75 million in profits without even opening the gates...just based on local and national as well as BAM media rights deals alone.

Has to be the Phillies, Giants/Padres and then the White Sox...if you’re going to buy the story that the Phillies and Sox deliberately underbid because they both were more interested in Harper, well that sorta makes sense (especially if Harper wasn’t signaling a strong interest), but it’s also a risky move on the part of Philly. Simply, the only thing they have that works in their favor is the ability to compete this year and familiarity with the NL East, but that didn’t seem to influence Machado very much. That said, Harper seems to be built a different way, but we’ll just have to wait and see how it plays out. From a White Sox perspective (and the Phillies too), it’s a nightmare scenario if he ends up with the Padres at around $320-330 million...with the Phillies losing with the likely higher bid, and White Sox not bidding at all (if they’re in this they better just keep their damn mouths shut if they come up short, as no good will come of it getting out.) https://www.thegoodphight.com/2019/2/21/18234803/yes-the-phillies-should-pay-bryce-harper Yes, the Phillies SHOULD Pay Bryce Harper

There’s no doubt it’s a huge but calculated risk...especially not knowing exactly what you have on the starting pitching side and not having the ability to outbid the big boys in next year’s FA market for top veteran starters. They already went through 2015/16 and the massive disappointment that turned out to be for all involved.

I think it was even 26-5...that was the May they almost blew it up and A.J. said to wait, they would turn it around. Remember, they were also anticipating the additions of Sale and Viciedo.

Jay and Alonso easily could have been added later...with Alonso totally superfluous and Jay on a non guaranteed deal similar to Santana’s. No need at all just to light $13 million on fire without knowing you had a whale secured first. If that was really the case (thinking it would somehow influence the decision), then why not just go ahead and add Pederson as well, because you weren’t competing this year with either guy but at least you might have created the perception of an enhanced opportunity to compete (especially with Keuchel as well) ?

With his defense alone at 2B, he will be worth 1.5-2.0 alone...that’s if he was just a league average 2B offensively, because his defense is at Gold Glove level already, just not at SS due to arm limitations.

Fowler joined a new group to purchase the Padres that included four heirs to the O’Malley family—who owned the Los Angeles Dodgers franchise for five decades. Kevin and Brian O'Malley are the sons of former Dodgers owner Peter O'Malley and grandsons of Walter O'Malley, the owner who moved the Dodgers west from Brooklyn after the 1957 season. Peter and Tom Seidler are the nephews of Peter O’Malley.[4] MLB approved the $800 million sale,[4][5]which completed on August 28, 2012.[6] As much as $200 million of the sale price included the team's 20-percent stake in Fox Sports San Diego, a cable channel that pays the Padres annual fees as part of a $1.2 billion, 20-year agreement.[7] Fowler was named the ownership group's executive chairman and was designated to represent the Padres in all league meetings.[4][8] He became the first locally based control person of the team since founding owner C. Arnholdt Smith.[8]

That’s HoF numbers. Even with the #3 pick, you’re looking at 1/50 or 1/75 in terms of Hall of Fame candidates over the entire history of the draft from that spot.

Leadership/TWTW/Friend of Manny (for future trade with SD)/Lifetime KW favorite trade targets club membership

It seems like Quentin and Abreu are the only hitters that just came in the tore up USCF. For those two, it feels like there have been about ten Nick Swisher’s, Dunn’s and LaRoche’s who were going to hit 40-50 homers to RF.

Still, based on Alexei and Quentin’s level of play in 2008...not sure we could draw definite conclusions after just two seasons...we can only do that now, in retrospect. Remember, we also added Dotel and Linebrink. Beckham and Viciedo looked like future studs. I just don’t remember anyone talking about rebuilding until Dunn’s season in 2011.

http://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/news/manny-machado-explains-why-he-chose-padres-in-free-agency/1dvdxb1z1b2r7162j92zx3if7c "I liked the game plan, from ownership to front office to the coaching staff to the players," Machado told reporters Friday (via ESPN). "The whole 'shabam' was so perfect." Machado, who shifted from third base to shortstop at the start of last season, indicated one factor in making his decision involved the position he would play, but he ultimately picked the Padres because of their focus on winning. “Shortstop was a big key, but at the end of the day it’s always a matter of what team, what position, how would it be?” Machado said, per the New York Post. “I’ve played third base my entire life, moved over obviously because I’ve always wanted to, the spot was open, but coming here to come play third base, I saw a great opportunity to help out other guys, help out young guys.” "That was definitely a big part of our conversation, face to face," Preller explained, per ESPN. "The biggest thing he kept coming back to was wanting to win. He said, 'If your best club is someone else at shortstop ... I'm open to playing third base.' " Padres chairman Ron Fowler and general partner Peter Seidler revealed they reached an agreement after having a two-hour lunch with Machado, resulting in a record-setting 10-year, $300 million deal. "I'm proud to be a Padre," Machado said. "At the end of the day this is where I wanted to be, and I'm very happy to be here."

The last two years kicking in were based on plate appearances (550+) in years 7/8 in the contract...when he would be 33/34 (bday in July at mid season). Supposedly, another $30 million in incentives. None guaranteed. No option, club, player, mutual, swellopt...

We’re talking about whether Hector Gomez was wrong about Machado...apparently the stadium actually turned out to be an advantage for SD, nobody thought about that angle.

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/ Might not want to look at the cover page on the entire newspaper. Cant imagine the Tribune or Sun Times or even Daily Herald going that far unless it was Harper. And maybe the White Sox made a mistake taking away the downtown view when they opened up New Comiskey facing the wrong way. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/padres/sd-sp-padres-manny-machado-wbc-adam-jones-0222-story.html Manny Machado mentioned the view of the skyline among the reason he enjoys Petco Park. “I think I have pretty good numbers there,” he added. That’s true. In four games while a member of the Dodgers and Orioles, Machado was 8-for-18 with a double, two walks and seven RBIs. He might like the place even better if it were not for one iconic moment involving Machado and his friend and San Diego native Adam Jones during the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

Bernardo Flores vs. TBA 2 p.m. Peoria, Arizona On Deck: The Padres host the White Sox, 12 p.m. PT at Peoria Stadium. Starting rotation candidates Luis Perdomo and Jacob Nix will be among the Padres pitchers. White Sox have to be elated this game’s not in Glendale...I think they have one more matchup, around March 6. You know Hahn and KW wouldn’t especially enjoy the storylines. Only coverage so far is KWFN FM, but I’d be shocked if MLB.com doesn’t pick it up if Machado and/or Tatis, Jr., are in the starting lineup. https://www.mlb.com/news/manny-machado-news-conference-padres "It's about bringing a championship to San Diego," Preller said. "A lot of people over the last few years have been very patient as we've tried to build something that's going to stand up long term. Obviously, it's an exclamation point here today with the signing of Manny." Judging solely by Friday's introductory press conference, it's pretty clear Machado did his homework. He's well-versed in the Padres' farm system, and he's willing to move back to third base to accommodate the pending arrival of Tatis, the top shortstop prospect in MLB and the No. 2 overall prospect per MLB Pipeline. "It was just a perfect fit for us," Machado said. "Those young prospects that are in the top farm system in the game ... I know what they're going through. Whatever I can do to help them out in any way, that's what I'm going to do." But the Padres' future isn't solely about the prospects. Big league vets like Eric Hosmer, Wil Myers and Austin Hedges are in San Diego for the long haul, too. Machado is now easily the biggest star of that group, and he's probably the biggest offensive star in San Diego since Tony Gwynn. In seven big league seasons, Machado has already amassed 33.8 Wins Above Replacement -- higher than any other Padres player in history not named Gwynn. "I'm truly blessed to be here. I'm truly blessed to be a part of this organization," Machado said. "Since day one, since we met you, we knew it was the right fit for me and my wife to be here. We're very excited to be here and start this new journey of our baseball career, our lives -- to take on that San Diego weather and take on this team." As his introductory press conference came to an end, Machado was asked how much better he can get. He's only 26, after all. How much longer might the star third baseman be able to extend his prime? "Ten more years," Machado said, breaking into a wide smile. "This is just the beginning. I still haven't reached my ceiling." Historically speaking, neither have the Padres. But with Machado on board for the next decade, they just might.

Not the jerseys the team will wear for giveaway promotions...

But we blew way past our policy of no longer giving out 4-5 year contracts to free agents. Progress. Lets not forget people, any deal without the opt out wasn’t going to fly. We even thought it might be 2, likely 3 years. 5 was a shock, 4 was what seemed the reasonable number of years before the opt out kicked in...they wouldn’t even consider it, which makes absolutely no sense to the forest of the baseball executive world without a doubt.

It’s going to get so tiring if we have to listen to all the nonsense about it actually being a $350 million offer to Machado for the next year...NO, it wasn’t, just repeating that over and over again won’t get you anywhere with this fanbase anymore, or referring to the “paradigm-shifting” Luis Robert deal. Burned one too many times.

Moncada, Jimenez or Robert getting busted would be the icing on the cake this offseason. Then again, Castillo was rewarded with the starting job and our best overall fWAR catcher with four remaining years of control was traded for an overpriced reliever I’m now convinced 90-95% of teams wouldn’t have awarded that remaining contract were he a FA on the open market.

Eckstein was never anything close to the best pure hitter in his college class. He’ll be fine, he’s probably the one aspect of this rebuild I’m least worried about busting.

Doubtful Gomez has any “in” with the Boras/Harper camp like he obviously did with Machado.

Hard to argue at the time when Alexei, Jenks and Floyd were also solid...easier now in retrospect.

Hector, just go away...of course, he was never categorically wrong during this process, just tired of getting hopes up.

He was never going to be a starting SS at the big league level...