4 comments

1. Last day of ST. Alright alright

2. THREE days to opening day compadres!!!

3. Some notes from Acee yesterday about the roster for anyone who didn’t see it:

   In regards to the bench:
   > Yuli Gurriel, Jose Iglesias, Martín Maldonado, and Gavin Sheets will be on the team…The revelation that four players have been told they are on the team leaves five players vying for one spot – first baseman/corner outfielder Connor Joe, outfielders Oscar Gonzalez and Brandon Lockridge and infielder/outfielders Eguy Rosario and Tyler Wade.

   > Gurriel(1B, DH), Iglesias (SS, 2B and 3B), Maldonado (C) and Sheets (DH, 1B, LF/RF) give the Padres coverage at all the positions and provide the ability to pinch hit at the bottom of the order. What they don’t necessarily provide is an exceptional defensive replacement for left fielder Jason Heyward when the Padres are trying to protect a slim lead late.

   In regards to the bullpen:

   > Reliever Alek Jacob has made the club, which leaves the Padres needing to fill one more spot in the eight-man bullpen. The decision probably comes down to Logan Gillaspie, a true long man, and Rule 5 pick Juan Nuñez. (Schildt and others have repeatedly said the team does not plan to make the starting pitcher who doesn’t make the rotation into a long man in the bullpen.)

   On the rotation:
   > The fourth and fifth rotation spots are, theoretically at least, still up in the air between righties Stephen Kolek and Randy Vásquez and left-hander Kyle Hart. All along, it has appeared a job was essentially Vásquez’s to lose, and he likely has not done that. And the Padres have been increasingly impressed with Hart….some believe Kolek could use more time to fully transition from a reliever to a starter.

   Also a note about the Padres payroll:
   > Once Yuli Gurriel ($1.25 million), Jose Iglesias ($3 million) and Martín Maldonado ($1 million) officially join Gavin Sheets ($1.6 million) on the 40-man roster, the Padres will be projected to be over the second Competitive Balance Tax threshold of $261 million.

4. The one thing I don’t see talked about enough when it comes to the opening day roster is that AJ Preller is building depth and options. If you cut Iglesias, Gurriel, and Maldonado they are pretty much gone for good. It is a long season and it really doesn’t hurt to see what they have for the first month. It also gives the younger players who have options regular playing time in the minors and if they thrive while one of the veterans struggles we know AJ won’t hesitate to make a change.

   If you do the opposite and have the option people start and struggle, or an injury happens, your depth is much lower.