On Wednesday, Padres beat reporter AJ Cassavell conducted an AMA (ask me anything) on Reddit. You can read the full transcript here. But these are the highlights (edited lightly for clarity and brevity):
Has Luis Campusano played his way out of being in the Padres’ plans? He hasn't hit, and it doesn't seem like they view him as a viable catcher.
I think this mostly depends on what they do at the Deadline -- and whether Campusano hits before then. He's clearly not in their catching plans right now. But it's at least useful having a third catcher on the roster, particularly when your top two catchers don't bring much offensively. You can pinch-hit for them and feel covered. If Campusano can prove himself as a bench bat (and maybe even an occasional first baseman -- he's been getting reps there), I still think there's a place for him. But, yeah, that doesn’t feel likely, and he seems like an obvious change-of-scenery candidate.
What is the realistic future that we trade for Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran? Potentially offloading catching prospect Ethan Salas in a package? Is the front office aggressively pursuing or is it all smoke?
Don't think it's just smoke. The Padres would love to have Duran. Thing is, it'll take a lot to get him, and I'm not sure they have that. You'd have to figure Salas is the headliner in that package, but they'd probably need to include more -- and the Padres are still very bullish on Salas and don't want to sell low there, with Salas on the IL with a back injury.
Are there any indications of keeping Luis Arraez or Michael King at the end of the season?
I think Arraez is likelier than King. King is going to be one of the best pitchers available in free agency -- and have you seen what elite starting pitchers make in free agency? Arraez's market will be much more interesting. Here's a total guess on the likelihood (an educated guess, but seriously just a guess): 55% shot neither is back, 35% only Arraez is back, 8% only King is back, 2% both are back.
We always hear about the big what-ifs like Max Scherzer/Shohei Ohtani to the Pads, but do you have any recent small what-ifs? You know, like not potential blockbuster moves but signings or trades that kinda make you shrug your shoulders for better or worse if they were to actually pan out?
Here's one: I know the Padres were very interested in bringing back Tanner Scott this winter and were ultimately outbid by the Dodgers. If they sign Scott, do they still have the resources to add Nick Pivetta? And where would this team be without Nick Pivetta?
How badly do we miss Kyle Higashioka?
He was obviously excellent last season. But he's struggled in Texas this year, and I'll maintain: Catcher isn't the issue on offense. If you trade for a left fielder and a bench bat (who can pinch-hit for one of those catchers in a big at-bat late), you'll take what you're getting at catcher right now. Run prevention is the primary objective there.
If you could sit down and interview any current or past player in MLB, who would it be?
Jerry Coleman. I spoke with him a few times in my early years at MLB dot com. But don't recall ever interviewing him -- and if I did, I certainly didn't get the full scope of his story in those interviews. What a legend.
1. Would you go Over or Under on Yu Darvish pitching 60 innings this year? 2. Do you think it's more likely the Padres get a Luis Robert, Taylor Ward type or a Tommy Pham type?
1. Over (but admittedly, not confidently until I see him back in game action).
2. They need both. I don't think one bat is enough.
Is the team still bought into Victor Rodriguez’s hitting philosophy during this team-wide slump?
Yes. Just look at the results: I can't argue with this being a team-wide slump on offense. Every team goes through them. And yet, the Padres are 8-3 in their last 11 games.
With the first overall pick, who would you draft from the Padres for your Wiffle ball team?
I'm drafting Merrill. He brings backyard Wiffle ball vibes. But more importantly: Big tree in left field at the Cassavell house growing up. Tough on those righty hitters.