Predicting The 2025 Opening Day Roster

The workload thing is a super valid concern but the latter statement I’d like to hear some further justification on because that doesn’t seem correct to me

Eh maybe we’re just talking about different things from a semantics perspective but I took that as you saying he hasn’t been a good pitcher when he’s pitched, which those whopping 12 innings in 2023 aside he very obviously has been. But if you just mean he hasn’t pitched consistently, sure.

My stance on it is that every pitcher available is going to have warts, so it’s just picking your poison. I’d much rather have Crochet than Burns or Fried in a vacuum if I’m giving out a long-term contract, but these things obviously don’t exist in a vacuum. I think that signing Fried would be the ideal scenario but I also wouldn’t balk at a Crochet trade assuming the cost wasn’t as exorbitant as the guys speculated on the pod, because I don’t think pitching talents like that come available often and at a certain point you have to allow yourself some degree of risk.

All my opinion of course, and there’s more than one way to build a viable pitching staff, but I’m considering myself open to anything.

Apparently Kim is hoping to be back by mid april-may from shoulder surgery. He's a guy who won't need a mega contract. Could be an option, especially if they really want to improve that defense. Not necessarily arguing for him one way or another but there's only so many FAs worthy of actually spending decent money on this year especially if they truly do have 60+M to spend. Another guy who could make Mayer or Campbell expendable for pitching, once again not that I'm arguing for that but just throwing it out since I don't think I've seen Kim really mentioned.

Kim is a plus defender at 2nd/SS/3rd. Like I said not really pushing for it one way or another but there are some rumors floating that they're interested in bregman/adames already. I'd rather have Kim than bregman if we're taking likely contract into consideration and can probably make an argument over adames too. Also like I said if they desire to go the trade route for said pitching addition signing Kim/bregman/adames makes it easier to deal Mayer or Campbell.

I've made my stance known that I prefer to sign pitching vs trade for it but who knows, gotta keep every avenue open to try and push this team into contender status.

MLBTR was speculating Kim won't even get the QO

I did read that too, if he does not get the QO it's another potential plus to pursuing him over the likes of adames and bregman. Can't ignore that he's getting labrum surgery though and how that could impact his defense if his arm doesn't rebound well. Like I said just a thought but I certainly can get behind the thought of a Story Kim double play combo. Thatd be an elite fielding MIF with either Rafaela or Duran in CF would be elite up the middle.

It says Kim is targeting early May for a return to game action. I guess that means the beginning of a rehab stint, so add another couple weeks. And this is what is being said publicly on the eve of his free agency, so it may be wise to add a little extra pessimism.

I think the Padres are probably terrified of him paying $21 million for like 80 games of play while they're stressing about money. I don't really get why Kim wouldn't be able to get a 4 year/$70 million deal or something along those lines though

It makes a lot of sense to trade Abreu for Michael King. Stick Abreu in LF for the Padres. The Sox extend King, as a part of the deal.

Go in King, Fried, Houck, Bello, Giollito/Crawford into 2025.

Okay, both of you, no.

Wilyer Abreu does not have equal value to Michael King, nor does Wilyer Abreu somehow have even more value than Michael King. He has less value than Michael King.

Alright so let's see where the tradeable landscape is with the top of the rotation starter land is in 2025-

Michael King
Crochet

Anyone else got any more suggestions? Mayer will cost you Crochet. I hesitate, but I'm willing to give that up as a last option. I don't want to do that, however.

Abreu is a guy that produced defensively and offensively more than what you could expect in your wildest dreams in 2024. Everyone is talking about taking advantage of Duran's high trade value, but same could be said about Abreu. He wasn't a top 100 prospect at any point in his career. While Duran was, and had the pedigree of being that type of player.

I'd 100 percent bet on Duran repeating a lot of his closer success of his offensive and defensive success versus Abreu. Abreu will probably repeat the defensive side, but no one can guarantee the offensive side.

That and you got to give to get. You got to be the best offer on the table to get one of those top of rotation types. A top 3 rookie of year candidate with 5 years control? At a position of need of one of their free agent holes?

Yeah that can get you King I think. No ones arguing against that. Everyone's arguing that's too much to give.

Again, welcome to the world of contending. What is the worst you're willing to give up to get that? This is the off-season to give it up.

The front office, the ownership, the whole franchise sounds like they're ready to go all out to get there. So get ready for the hurt folks.

Hey champs,

I respect your position on this, but-

This all comes back to the best of the best. The most talented guys at the very top who you want at the top of the rotation starter pool.

I think Crotchet and King are it while everyone you listed below, fall below and you'll get what you paid for at that point.

No guarantee on any of this, but I think the franchise owes it to the fans to take a chance for the first time since the 2019 off-season to go for a shot at the post season. No one can seriously say they've made a effort to do that since then. The trade season is the off-season, even the mods here admitted to this.

The dam has to break, at some point.

Get the talent at the top of the rotation. You have the young lineup in place. I argue about Devers and Wong and their places in the lineup and where they play, but it's there.

If Breslow is the GM I think he is, he can't sit and wait. That's what Bloom would do to be honest.