December 22, 2025 • 22 mins
The San Diego Padres have been busy the last few days, with more moves sure to come. Kyle Glaser and Marty Caswell answer fans' questions about the team's offseason plans and outlook for 2026, including if Luis Campusano's playing time will increase with Mike Shildt no longer managing, whether Gavin Sheets or Jake Cronenworth are more likely to be the Padres' first baseman on Opening Day, and what boxes the Padres need to check in order to be a World Series contender. Friar Territory is the official San Diego Padres podcast of the Foul Territory Network.
Follow us on X: @FriarTerritory
Kyle Glaser on X: @KyleAGlaser
Marty Caswell on X: @MartyTimeTV
Subscribe to the podcast!
Apple: https://bit.ly/4geW2xF
Spotify: https://bit.ly/4hbjsW2
Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to Friar Territory on Youtube!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
The plan for the Padres rotation after officially signing Michael King,
and we have your first ever Padres mail bag. Hi everybody,
I am Marty Kaswell. That is Kyle Glazer here on
Friar Territory. We are part of the Foul Territory networking boy.
We have a lot to get to before we jump
into the holidays. Kyle, how are you today doing?
Speaker 2 (00:28):
All right?
Speaker 3 (00:29):
Marty? We've seen the Padres get a little busier here
toward the end of the year, and as we've discussed,
this is around the time AJ Preller and everyone involved
really starts to get cooking. You'll remember, of course, the
big U Darvis trade after the twenty twenty season right
after Christmas, followed by the Blake Snow trade the Joe
Musgrove trade. So I'm sure that while most of us
will be relaxing over the holidays, inevitably I feel like
(00:51):
we're definitely going to get an email or a text
or breaking you know, tweet about a big trade going
down on December twenty eighth. I've got like at least
five to one off on.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
That wonderful Okay, just so you know, when we were
at Michael King's press or was it last week? On
Friday I corndered to J Preller afterwards, I said, listen,
can you give us a little bit of a break.
You are you going home for the holidays?
Speaker 3 (01:13):
You know?
Speaker 1 (01:13):
Are you going back to New York to go see
your family? Can you just can you give us some
time off? Can you give us a break? And he
refused to answer that question. So I completely agree with you.
All the media, if you cover the San Diagopolgis, if
you cover J Preler, make sure that you keep your
alerts on, identifications on, bring your laptops, bring your microphones,
because I have no doubt there is something cooking. So
(01:34):
we'll see, we'll see that, we'll get there. But yeah,
you're right, December twenty second. I just feel like there's
more to come. I don't think it's going to be
a quiet off season into the new year, because that's
not how a J.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
Prewler operates. So we'll see.
Speaker 3 (01:46):
Definitely not. But we have a lot more to talk
about in terms of what's to come. But like you mentioned,
I'm very excited. We have our holiday mail bag. We
did a mail bag Heath Bell and I back earlier
this season, but it's one of those things. With so
much happening with the podres, we didn't get a chance
to really do them as frequently as we'd like. So
this is our Christmas gift to you watchers and listeners,
our first holiday mail bag with Marty Caswell. I'm going
(02:07):
to go ahead and get us started with our first question,
John Gordon, loyal listener, always appreciate John's engaging with us.
Do you believe Scheldt was the reason Campusano didn't get
a fair chance at AB's in twenty five and will
that change now that he's gone? Marty, you and I
talked a lot about Louise Campasano, the lack of opportunity
and consistent at bats. I know my thoughts and conversations
(02:30):
I've had about this. Where are you on this in
terms of how much of it was a product of
Mike Schild.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
I don't think that Campusan. I don't think Mike Schilt
wanted to play him. I don't think he wanted any
part of Louise Campasano. I think this is something that
wasn't just about Mike Schilt. I think that was also
an issue with with Bob Melvin, who, by the way,
a former catcher. If anyone give the most of a catcher,
it might be Bob Melvin. I think there were some
frustrations with the pitching staff as well. And I'm just
(02:55):
thinking of a comment that Mike Shilt made at Rigby
Field right when the Padres postseasonosters came out and he
was asked about Louis Campasano.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
And he made it very clear that.
Speaker 1 (03:04):
The only reason that he was on that team with
the Padres was because this was all Aj Preller's decision.
He made sure everyone knew I want no part of
Louis Campusano, and I don't think that that was lost
on Campi as well.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
I think he was very, very frustrated.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
I think that he would rather he he was much
happier getting at bats, regular at bats for El Paso,
for the Chihuauas than he was just sitting riding on
the bench with the Padres. So I do think that
there was an internal struggle back and forth with Preller
and Mike Schildt on Luis Campusano.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
How about you, Kyle.
Speaker 3 (03:38):
I mean, I had this conversation with a few Padres
front offs officials how in the front office they wanted
Louis Campusano to be up and playing You'll remember when
Martin Maldonado and alisdas were just struggling so so so,
so so so bad, to the point it was hurting
the Padres game in the game out, And there were
a lot of people in the front office who said, look,
(03:58):
Louis campus understand was Campissano's defensive limitations, but we can't
have this anymore. And Mike Shilt was the one who
pushed back against it. He wanted those veteran catchers leading
his pitching staff and didn't care what they were doing offensively.
So yes, the reason Louis Campusano, if the front office
had had its way, Louise Campasano would have been up
and playing earlier this season than he was then he was.
(04:20):
In reality, he didn't play much when he did come up.
That said, as you alluded to, it's not just a
Mike Shilt thing. There have been three managers in a
row now, Jase Tayler, Bob Melvin, Mike Schilt who just
have not really trusted him behind the plate. You know.
Bob Melvin I thought was interesting. The end of twenty
twenty three, after the season was gone, we saw al
(04:40):
Louis Capissano hit and develop a little bit of a
rapport with Joe Musgrove. He got a little bit of
shot there. But you'll remember Louis Campussano did go into
twenty twenty four as the Potters starting catcher and lost
the job. Kyle Goshioch eventually took over and that was that.
So yes, Mike Shilt did not trust a Louis Capissano
behind the plate and did not trust to met the
plate either, did not want to play him. But it's
(05:03):
not uniquely in Mike Schulpling. This is where I've gone
back to this a lot. Look, Louis Campusano physically, he
can hit everyone in grease. He can hit defensively. There
have always been questions about the receiving, but the bigger
issue is the intangibles teams want from their catchers, the maturity,
the pois, the leadership. It just hasn't been there. So again,
reportedly it got better last year. Again, we need to
(05:26):
see it happen in the majors. But if nothing else,
I've said this for a while now, there's no reason
for him not beginning every day dh at bats understanding
the doubts even managers and onfield personnel have about him catching.
It's not a fan thing. It's the people on the
field who question it. He can hit and he just
needs a shot at every day at bats. And it's
tough for a young player to come up and be
(05:47):
a DH but that's the role that fits him best,
and hopefully Craig Stammon will give him that opportunity. Just
given the Potters' needs for offense and power which Campisano
can provide.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
You think about the conversation what took the Padres down
last year, just the offense going down, the lack of
slug and perhaps Kyle Glazer, just perhaps if they had
given Campy a true opportunity in that season to once
and for all show us what you've got, maybe they
don't make the wildly your unpopular trade for Freddie for
me and giving up some young, young, controllable pictures and
(06:21):
Steph Koleg and Weinberger.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
Maybe it's whole different conversation.
Speaker 1 (06:23):
I know it's a lot to put on that, but
I'm just thinking that's the ultimate what if.
Speaker 3 (06:28):
And again, I think you probably still wanted to acquire
an everyday catcher. You felt okay giving every day bese
to and working with your pictures behind the plate and
Campasana wasn't really going to be the solution behind the plate.
He was more of a solution for the lineup if
he got every day at bats. And when he got
brought up and moves up for three weeks and got
(06:50):
about five at bats sprinkled across three weeks, I mean,
no one's going to be successful. Now. I think the
number is actually ten at bats. No one in baseball
be successful with that. So we'll see what happens again
the Potter's resigned him, maybe new you know, new manager
and new coaching staff, new outlook. Will see what changes.
But to answer the question, yes, Shilt was a big
part of the reason why Campusano was not called up,
(07:10):
but he is not alone in the history of Potter's
managers being resistant to giving him a regular playing time,
especially behind the play.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
I'm just thinking the padres d'afing real quick.
Speaker 1 (07:19):
I'm just thinking the padres like Dfade Martine Maldonado, and
they brought him up. They brought him up in Chicago
because they because Mike Shilt would do anything to not
play the least well well.
Speaker 3 (07:30):
The other thing, and this is where you talk about
where this resistance and I shouldn't say resistance. Campusano's defensive
shortcomings have forced the Potters into making moves they shouldn't
have made, you know, the big one. No one talks
about the twenty twenty two trade deadline. Of course, they
acquire Josh Hayter, they acquire one Soto, it's a huge windfall.
They made one trade at the very end for a
(07:51):
third catcher because they did not trust Lea's Campissana behind
the plate. The Potterys traded Brent Rooker for Cam Gallagher.
They wanted Gallagher as a third catcher, and with it
Gayway Brent Rooker, who as we know was eventually a
late bloomer. Talk about guys with slug who could have
eventually helped the Potters if he'd gotten the shot. So again,
(08:12):
I think, realistically, yes, the Potters need to find a
way to do something here and not keep making moves
that ultimately cost them good talent that can help them.
Just to try and fix this catching situation, whether it's
a backup or third catcher. All right, moving on to
question two, Okay from bow Bow is the postseason more
(08:33):
luck Brewers, Phillies and Yankees won more games, holden field advantage,
more home runs, shuffle, lineup cards, Brewers most wins swept
Dodgers regular season changes, lineup card Murphy referring to Pat
Murphy more relaxed Kinder manager to press coaching staff swept
by Dodgers in postseason. Marsling actually studied a lot and
wrote a lot about during my time at Baseball America.
But you know, just again, you your experience covering this
(08:57):
game for as long as you have, what are your
thoughts on it?
Speaker 1 (09:00):
I don't think post there's a little bit of luck involved,
but there's I think health is the biggest thing. Health
and the depth of your pitching staff and just the
hot team, the hot hand. The Padres didn't have any
of those things going into Chicago, major questions about their pitching,
and they're oftense picked the wrong time to go into
a slump. So I don't think And by the way,
I love the part about the press conference and the
(09:21):
Kinder manager and I know Pat Murphy care you know,
pizzas in his back pocket, and they had a fun
little story and he story told.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
But that's not the reason why.
Speaker 1 (09:29):
That's not the reason why the Brewers were bounced or
the Padres failed.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
Yeah, so there's a lot to unpack here. So I
want to start with a few things, right, some of
it semantics. Luck has always bothered me because when people
refer to what takes place as luck, it takes away
from the performance of the players. From the players who
go out and do their jobs and execute a high
level and ultimately beat they're really really good counterparts, you know.
I think back to the Ties. The Diamondbacks went in
(09:54):
and beat the Dodgers, swept them, and everyone's like, oh,
it's just luck. No, I covered the tooth. The Diamondbacks
came out and beat them the hell out of the Dodgers.
Their offense went to work on that pitching staff. Give
the Diamondbacks credit. Wasn't luck they want they beat them.
So I think it's one of those situations where I
think it's important to give credit to teams for going
out and doing their jobs and exec a high level.
(10:15):
That is work, that is talent, that's performance, that's not luck.
Where the luck comes into it is. Yeah, injuries were
a big part of it, right, Sometimes guys just I mean,
freak things happen, Guys going down at the wrong time. Yeah,
that's the luck portion of it. And this thing we
talked a lot about I wrote a lot about this
during my time. Baseball America studied extensively. There are things
(10:36):
teams can do to put themselves in the best position
to win in the postseason where it's not completely luck.
First and foremost, you have to be top half of
Major League Baseball and payroll to win in World Series period.
We've studied this extensively since nineteen ninety two. The only
team that wasn't to do it was the two thousand
and three Marlins. As much as we talk about efficiency
and dollars per war, all on and on, not, the
(10:56):
fact of the matter is to acquire both the stars
and depth needed to win a World Series costs money period,
end of discussion. We can talk about all we want
about these small market teams, the Rays, the Brewers, you know,
the A's when they were competitive, They're not gonna win
because they're not spending enough money. It's that simple. So
that's first and foremost. Secondly, you have to have an
(11:17):
offense that's top ten and runs scored eleven years in
a row. Now, you have to be able to score
and score a lot to win. It's not just about pitching.
You have to be balanced. We've also seen the last
six years, you have to be top five in the
majors and home runs and this one's a little bit
of a looser correlation, but still all these things. So again,
does this mean that every team that's top half in
payroll and is top ten the majors and scoring is
(11:38):
going to win a World Series? Of course not. But
the World Series winners will come from the pool of
teams who are that, and we see that consistently. So
there are certain elements of your team that you have
to have, and the teams that have that that's the
pool of teams that win a World Series. So yes,
there's an element of luck involved, but you also need
(11:59):
to have certain check there's certain boxes you have to
check to really be a World Series contender, and we
see that year after year after yar that's who wins.
Speaker 1 (12:08):
Thinking so much of last year that it's the complete
lack of flug that did the Padres in in the postseason.
I know that, Mike Schuld and listen, you need to execute,
you need to go hinder the little things right, correct.
But and Sheill used to love talking about the power
of friendship innings. That's not gonna get you far, man,
when you're playing a team that can mash and has
some pitching.
Speaker 3 (12:25):
So yes and no, right, because it's both. So I
want to be clear. I've talked about how teams need
to be top five majors in home runs, but I
need to go back and look at my study. It's
in one of my files here, but I believe it's
eleven of the last fifteen World Series champions were also
top ten the majors and hits. So it's both. You
have to hit for average and power. People talk about
this trade off when you look at the teams that win,
it's both. You have to be good at both. And again, yes,
(12:47):
the Potters lack slug. They were also eighteenth in the
majors and run scored and have won the lowest on
base percentage in baseball. So this was an offense that
was just not good enough. Independent of just the slug.
I mean, there are a lot of elements here. They
did not Early in the season we saw them being
able to manufacture runs and score it. They stopped doing that.
They stopped running the bases aggressively, they stopped coming up
with good situational heading. So you know, in terms of
(13:09):
what did them then, I mean, I before the series
of Mistart, I said, yeah, the Cubs are going to
win this series in three games. The Potters are terrible
on the road, which again is another factor to be
You have to have a winning record on the road
to be a World Series winner. We've seen that for
fifteen years in a row, and the office just wasn't
good enough. Realistically, this was a the Cubs were the
better team, they were at home. They just beat the Potters.
This wasn't a Potterish, you know, the Potterish shortcomings weren't new.
(13:32):
The Cubs were the better team and they beat them.
So again, I think overall, just to kind of wrap up,
because I'm monologuing way too long, there are things you
have to have in place to be a World Series contender.
It's not just luck, like I feel like some people
like to randomly assign it, which is not correct.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
So anymore for any more for the mail back, and
I do want to mention if you have any more questions,
even I don't think we have any more shows this week,
but any any questions you guys have, send them to
us at Friar tear Y at Marty Caswell, Kyle Blazer,
and we will answer your questions on the next one
on the on the next show.
Speaker 3 (14:06):
Absolutely all right. Last and final question this one from
Clippers SD lovely throwback, love the old logo there. Who
plays first base for the Potters next season, Marty? We've
talked about this right now. It's Gavin Sheets, and even
though he struggled at times at first base last year,
he is a first baseman by trade. If you give him,
you know, every day reps over there, he can play
(14:27):
the position.
Speaker 1 (14:28):
I know Manny Machado made a case for having Ryan
or Hearn back. I don't know if that's going to
be possible. I think it could still be Jake conin fourth.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
I don't know that they're going to move him. I
know we've spent endless time talking.
Speaker 1 (14:39):
About the idea of trading Drake Cornenworth, given his salary
and given teams looking for such a versatile player. But
it wouldn't surprise me if Croninworth is back with the
Padres and he is your first baseman moving forward.
Speaker 2 (14:51):
Where do you think, Kyle?
Speaker 3 (14:53):
I think that would be the least optimal situation, just
because we've talked about the Potters needing to add offensive
stump and the best way to do that is to
bring in another first basement or if Sheets is your
first baseman, you know, create every day at bats for
at least Campusano DH. Really, the optimal outcome would be
they bring in another first baseman who can who can
really thump. You know, if Jake Corona Work moves to
(15:14):
first base, okay, then your second basement right now it
might be sun Moon Song, who are not sure is
in every player. It doesn't really solve your power problem.
So I think realistically the best situation for the Potter is,
given their current roster, would be Sheets as your everyday
first baseman. Campus On is your DH. But the best
possible outcome would be for them to make an addition.
(15:34):
And that's where we've talked all about their payroll situation
with the Michael King signing with the Sung Win Song signing.
Fangrafts Now has the Potters projected payroll at two hundred
and twenty million dollars this year, last year a two
hundred and eleven million. Again, the numbers are living and
you go to Cots Baseball contracts, they have this year
two hundred and fourteen million, last year two hundred and
eight million. So but the overall ballpark is the Potters
(15:57):
right now are about six to eight million dollars depending
on your source, over last year's payroll, and they've said
they're going to try and keep their payroll to the
same level as last year. So for them to make
they're already over and to make more additions again unless
they surprisingly boost payroll, which is always a possibility, but
it's unlikely given that they're exploring a sale. They would
(16:18):
have to move someone, they'd have to move some salary
to go make an acquisition.
Speaker 2 (16:22):
You still think Jay Cuinnenworth is the most likely to
be moved.
Speaker 3 (16:25):
I do, just looking at the salary, looking at you know,
what the Potters can maybe do to kind of find
some different options. But again, nothing's out of the question
when it comes to Aj Preller. We know this. Nothing
is ever out of the question.
Speaker 2 (16:39):
You're exactly right.
Speaker 1 (16:40):
And I know we spent a lot of time last
week talking about the idea of Nick Pavetta. Just real quick, Kyle,
anything you took away from And I know AJ Prebler
doesn't tell you really anything, okay, But I know on
Friday I asked and listen, last time we were here,
we talked about tatis, trade rumors, anything on Nick Pavetta.
And one thing he did say during his press or
is you can't have enough starting and he kept saying
(17:01):
the plan moving forward is you know it's gonna be
Michael King and Nick Pavetta. You have Joe Musgrove coming back,
and he talked about the need for young, controllable pitcher.
What do you think on Paveta, Do you think that
there's a likelihood that he could still be moved?
Speaker 2 (17:16):
That's my male bad question to you, Kyle.
Speaker 3 (17:20):
It would have to be a blow him away kind
of package. The Padres understand what they have in Nick Pavetta.
They have a talented, i would say, frontline pitcher in
the sense he showed he could pitch that level last year. Again,
the track record isn't there, but he showed he can
do it last year. Who not only is able to
give you quality starts, but give you deep starts. We
(17:42):
saw him go seven, we saw him go eight. We
saw him be the guy that when the Potters need
to stop a losing streak, he was the guy who
go out there and he was your wind day guy
if you needed seven, you know, seven innings one run.
He gave it to you. So for the Potters to
move him, it would have to be again for multiple young,
controllable players ready to play in the major leagues right now,
(18:05):
and other teams are generally hesitant to give that up
for someone who could be a free agent in a
year with Nick Povetta having his opt out, So that's
going to be the push poll here. Do we get
to a point in February where a team that really
needs starting pitching lost out on all of its free
agent targets and gets desperate and is maybe willing to
pay a higher price. Possibly, but again it's going to
(18:28):
take a lot to prime Nick Privetta from the Padres.
It could happen again, It's just we have to wait
and see. I think it would be later in this offseason,
after the free agent market has thinned out and keep
you're looking around saying, oh crap, we need help and
this is our only option right now.
Speaker 1 (18:43):
Do you anticipate any huge moves coming just in baseball
overall over over the next week and a half, or
can we go ahead and I'll just breathe and take
some time off and turn.
Speaker 2 (18:50):
Off our phones.
Speaker 3 (18:51):
There will always be big moves. I think we are
going to start to see some of the more high
some of the Marque free agents.
Speaker 1 (18:59):
Start, the bigger names, the Baschets, the Kyle Teckers, guys
like that, going off the bad challengers.
Speaker 3 (19:04):
I think within the next two to three weeks, I
don't see any of these guys remaining free agents into February.
After spring training starts like we saw with Bryce Harper,
like we saw that was insane. Yeah, yeah, I remember
covering a Brave spring training game when the news broke
that Bryce Harper signed with the Phillies. So I think
we'll see them within the next two to three weeks,
We'll start see some of the big guys come off
(19:24):
the board, and then when that happens, we're going to
start to see the middle tier for agency really start
to pick up.
Speaker 1 (19:29):
Two quick things, Kyle, before we wrap this Before, before
we wrap this this thing up, I'm just I wonder
if we're gonna get resolution on you Darvish's future in
the coming weeks. By the way, he was there at
the at the press conference for for Michael King, and
I think Michael made a very funny comp not a
funny comment, but he mentioned how Darvish actually sat in
on a meeting with his agent and he was really
(19:51):
really impressive, right, So I wonder maybe maybe he's getting
feet wet for them. For the next step is aj Prellers.
I don't know, as a special assistant assistant whatever go
scout Japan. Tinds some players, but I just wonder if
we might get resolutions sooner rather than later on you Darbash.
And my next question is on Michael King, Just what
do you get about this deal with you know, the
opt outs, what he can make, but especially with the
(20:13):
idea that there could be a work stoppage a year
from now.
Speaker 3 (20:19):
Yeah, look, I mean that's something that affects everyone beyond
this Michael King.
Speaker 1 (20:22):
Right.
Speaker 3 (20:23):
On the one hand, every team, you know, players aren't
paid during a workstoppage. I think it's important to understand.
You know, people need to understand players are paid their
size during the season. If there's no season, they don't
get paid. So, you know, on the one hand, that's
something to say for certain teams like oh, you know,
they're not going to have to pay out the full
amount of the salary, but they're also not bringing the
(20:44):
gate revenue, which depending on the team, you know, between tickets, parking, food,
you know, in stadium merch for the posits every like
thirty minimum, you know, well, not minimally, I say most
teams it's about thirty to forty percent of their of
their revenue, depends on the team, depends on the situation.
But if any business lost thirty to forty percent of
their revenue, they'd be in dire straight. So again, in
(21:06):
terms of the lockout, it's it's for all players, right,
we just have to wait and see what's going to mean.
I think realistically the Potters are doing the right thing,
which is trying to put their best foot forward to
win in twenty twenty six, because, as we've talked about,
the possibility exists of an extended lockout in twenty twenty seven,
and then by the time twenty twenty eight comes around,
Machadaw and Bogart's from their age thirty four seasons, I'm sorry,
(21:28):
it would be their age thirty five seasons. Then. You know,
as we've discussed, there are exceptions, you know, the Freddie Freeman's,
the Justin Turners, the JD. Martinez is their exceptions. But
on the whole, the majority of position players fall off
a cliff hitting their age thirty five season in the
post steroid era, so understanding that trying to be as
competitive as they can be for twenty twenty six is
(21:50):
the right move. This was a good first step to
doing that.
Speaker 2 (21:53):
I like it. I like it.
Speaker 1 (21:54):
That was a lot of fun, all right, Kyle, I
read this was a lot of fun the very first
holiday mailbag, and this will continue into twenty two. I
already received a question about Manny Machado and the idea
of moving him one day to first base, but we'll
save that question for the next Padres mail bag. I
am Marty Caswell. That is Kyle Glazier. Thank you so
much for watching us here today on Friar Territory. We
(22:15):
are part of the Foul Territory TV network. I need
some gear. I have my eyes on that gray, bluish
hoodie that I want, so I will be sending you
my orders soon.
Speaker 2 (22:24):
Kyle, appreciate you. We'll talk soon.
Speaker 3 (22:26):
Sounds good. Have a great holiday, everybody,
The plan for the Padres rotation after officially signing Michael King,
and we have your first ever Padres mail bag. Hi everybody,
I am Marty Kaswell. That is Kyle Glazer here on
Friar Territory. We are part of the Foul Territory networking boy.
We have a lot to get to before we jump
into the holidays. Kyle, how are you today doing?
Speaker 2 (00:28):
All right?
Speaker 3 (00:29):
Marty? We've seen the Padres get a little busier here
toward the end of the year, and as we've discussed,
this is around the time AJ Preller and everyone involved
really starts to get cooking. You'll remember, of course, the
big U Darvis trade after the twenty twenty season right
after Christmas, followed by the Blake Snow trade the Joe
Musgrove trade. So I'm sure that while most of us
will be relaxing over the holidays, inevitably I feel like
(00:51):
we're definitely going to get an email or a text
or breaking you know, tweet about a big trade going
down on December twenty eighth. I've got like at least
five to one off on.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
That wonderful Okay, just so you know, when we were
at Michael King's press or was it last week? On
Friday I corndered to J Preller afterwards, I said, listen,
can you give us a little bit of a break.
You are you going home for the holidays?
Speaker 3 (01:13):
You know?
Speaker 1 (01:13):
Are you going back to New York to go see
your family? Can you just can you give us some
time off? Can you give us a break? And he
refused to answer that question. So I completely agree with you.
All the media, if you cover the San Diagopolgis, if
you cover J Preler, make sure that you keep your
alerts on, identifications on, bring your laptops, bring your microphones,
because I have no doubt there is something cooking. So
(01:34):
we'll see, we'll see that, we'll get there. But yeah,
you're right, December twenty second. I just feel like there's
more to come. I don't think it's going to be
a quiet off season into the new year, because that's
not how a J.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
Prewler operates. So we'll see.
Speaker 3 (01:46):
Definitely not. But we have a lot more to talk
about in terms of what's to come. But like you mentioned,
I'm very excited. We have our holiday mail bag. We
did a mail bag Heath Bell and I back earlier
this season, but it's one of those things. With so
much happening with the podres, we didn't get a chance
to really do them as frequently as we'd like. So
this is our Christmas gift to you watchers and listeners,
our first holiday mail bag with Marty Caswell. I'm going
(02:07):
to go ahead and get us started with our first question,
John Gordon, loyal listener, always appreciate John's engaging with us.
Do you believe Scheldt was the reason Campusano didn't get
a fair chance at AB's in twenty five and will
that change now that he's gone? Marty, you and I
talked a lot about Louise Campasano, the lack of opportunity
and consistent at bats. I know my thoughts and conversations
(02:30):
I've had about this. Where are you on this in
terms of how much of it was a product of
Mike Schild.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
I don't think that Campusan. I don't think Mike Schilt
wanted to play him. I don't think he wanted any
part of Louise Campasano. I think this is something that
wasn't just about Mike Schilt. I think that was also
an issue with with Bob Melvin, who, by the way,
a former catcher. If anyone give the most of a catcher,
it might be Bob Melvin. I think there were some
frustrations with the pitching staff as well. And I'm just
(02:55):
thinking of a comment that Mike Shilt made at Rigby
Field right when the Padres postseasonosters came out and he
was asked about Louis Campasano.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
And he made it very clear that.
Speaker 1 (03:04):
The only reason that he was on that team with
the Padres was because this was all Aj Preller's decision.
He made sure everyone knew I want no part of
Louis Campusano, and I don't think that that was lost
on Campi as well.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
I think he was very, very frustrated.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
I think that he would rather he he was much
happier getting at bats, regular at bats for El Paso,
for the Chihuauas than he was just sitting riding on
the bench with the Padres. So I do think that
there was an internal struggle back and forth with Preller
and Mike Schildt on Luis Campusano.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
How about you, Kyle.
Speaker 3 (03:38):
I mean, I had this conversation with a few Padres
front offs officials how in the front office they wanted
Louis Campusano to be up and playing You'll remember when
Martin Maldonado and alisdas were just struggling so so so,
so so so bad, to the point it was hurting
the Padres game in the game out, And there were
a lot of people in the front office who said, look,
(03:58):
Louis campus understand was Campissano's defensive limitations, but we can't
have this anymore. And Mike Shilt was the one who
pushed back against it. He wanted those veteran catchers leading
his pitching staff and didn't care what they were doing offensively.
So yes, the reason Louis Campusano, if the front office
had had its way, Louise Campasano would have been up
and playing earlier this season than he was then he was.
(04:20):
In reality, he didn't play much when he did come up.
That said, as you alluded to, it's not just a
Mike Shilt thing. There have been three managers in a
row now, Jase Tayler, Bob Melvin, Mike Schilt who just
have not really trusted him behind the plate. You know.
Bob Melvin I thought was interesting. The end of twenty
twenty three, after the season was gone, we saw al
(04:40):
Louis Capissano hit and develop a little bit of a
rapport with Joe Musgrove. He got a little bit of
shot there. But you'll remember Louis Campussano did go into
twenty twenty four as the Potters starting catcher and lost
the job. Kyle Goshioch eventually took over and that was that.
So yes, Mike Shilt did not trust a Louis Capissano
behind the plate and did not trust to met the
plate either, did not want to play him. But it's
(05:03):
not uniquely in Mike Schulpling. This is where I've gone
back to this a lot. Look, Louis Campusano physically, he
can hit everyone in grease. He can hit defensively. There
have always been questions about the receiving, but the bigger
issue is the intangibles teams want from their catchers, the maturity,
the pois, the leadership. It just hasn't been there. So again,
reportedly it got better last year. Again, we need to
(05:26):
see it happen in the majors. But if nothing else,
I've said this for a while now, there's no reason
for him not beginning every day dh at bats understanding
the doubts even managers and onfield personnel have about him catching.
It's not a fan thing. It's the people on the
field who question it. He can hit and he just
needs a shot at every day at bats. And it's
tough for a young player to come up and be
(05:47):
a DH but that's the role that fits him best,
and hopefully Craig Stammon will give him that opportunity. Just
given the Potters' needs for offense and power which Campisano
can provide.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
You think about the conversation what took the Padres down
last year, just the offense going down, the lack of
slug and perhaps Kyle Glazer, just perhaps if they had
given Campy a true opportunity in that season to once
and for all show us what you've got, maybe they
don't make the wildly your unpopular trade for Freddie for
me and giving up some young, young, controllable pictures and
(06:21):
Steph Koleg and Weinberger.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
Maybe it's whole different conversation.
Speaker 1 (06:23):
I know it's a lot to put on that, but
I'm just thinking that's the ultimate what if.
Speaker 3 (06:28):
And again, I think you probably still wanted to acquire
an everyday catcher. You felt okay giving every day bese
to and working with your pictures behind the plate and
Campasana wasn't really going to be the solution behind the plate.
He was more of a solution for the lineup if
he got every day at bats. And when he got
brought up and moves up for three weeks and got
(06:50):
about five at bats sprinkled across three weeks, I mean,
no one's going to be successful. Now. I think the
number is actually ten at bats. No one in baseball
be successful with that. So we'll see what happens again
the Potter's resigned him, maybe new you know, new manager
and new coaching staff, new outlook. Will see what changes.
But to answer the question, yes, Shilt was a big
part of the reason why Campusano was not called up,
(07:10):
but he is not alone in the history of Potter's
managers being resistant to giving him a regular playing time,
especially behind the play.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
I'm just thinking the padres d'afing real quick.
Speaker 1 (07:19):
I'm just thinking the padres like Dfade Martine Maldonado, and
they brought him up. They brought him up in Chicago
because they because Mike Shilt would do anything to not
play the least well well.
Speaker 3 (07:30):
The other thing, and this is where you talk about
where this resistance and I shouldn't say resistance. Campusano's defensive
shortcomings have forced the Potters into making moves they shouldn't
have made, you know, the big one. No one talks
about the twenty twenty two trade deadline. Of course, they
acquire Josh Hayter, they acquire one Soto, it's a huge windfall.
They made one trade at the very end for a
(07:51):
third catcher because they did not trust Lea's Campissana behind
the plate. The Potterys traded Brent Rooker for Cam Gallagher.
They wanted Gallagher as a third catcher, and with it
Gayway Brent Rooker, who as we know was eventually a
late bloomer. Talk about guys with slug who could have
eventually helped the Potters if he'd gotten the shot. So again,
(08:12):
I think, realistically, yes, the Potters need to find a
way to do something here and not keep making moves
that ultimately cost them good talent that can help them.
Just to try and fix this catching situation, whether it's
a backup or third catcher. All right, moving on to
question two, Okay from bow Bow is the postseason more
(08:33):
luck Brewers, Phillies and Yankees won more games, holden field advantage,
more home runs, shuffle, lineup cards, Brewers most wins swept
Dodgers regular season changes, lineup card Murphy referring to Pat
Murphy more relaxed Kinder manager to press coaching staff swept
by Dodgers in postseason. Marsling actually studied a lot and
wrote a lot about during my time at Baseball America.
But you know, just again, you your experience covering this
(08:57):
game for as long as you have, what are your
thoughts on it?
Speaker 1 (09:00):
I don't think post there's a little bit of luck involved,
but there's I think health is the biggest thing. Health
and the depth of your pitching staff and just the
hot team, the hot hand. The Padres didn't have any
of those things going into Chicago, major questions about their pitching,
and they're oftense picked the wrong time to go into
a slump. So I don't think And by the way,
I love the part about the press conference and the
(09:21):
Kinder manager and I know Pat Murphy care you know,
pizzas in his back pocket, and they had a fun
little story and he story told.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
But that's not the reason why.
Speaker 1 (09:29):
That's not the reason why the Brewers were bounced or
the Padres failed.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
Yeah, so there's a lot to unpack here. So I
want to start with a few things, right, some of
it semantics. Luck has always bothered me because when people
refer to what takes place as luck, it takes away
from the performance of the players. From the players who
go out and do their jobs and execute a high
level and ultimately beat they're really really good counterparts, you know.
I think back to the Ties. The Diamondbacks went in
(09:54):
and beat the Dodgers, swept them, and everyone's like, oh,
it's just luck. No, I covered the tooth. The Diamondbacks
came out and beat them the hell out of the Dodgers.
Their offense went to work on that pitching staff. Give
the Diamondbacks credit. Wasn't luck they want they beat them.
So I think it's one of those situations where I
think it's important to give credit to teams for going
out and doing their jobs and exec a high level.
(10:15):
That is work, that is talent, that's performance, that's not luck.
Where the luck comes into it is. Yeah, injuries were
a big part of it, right, Sometimes guys just I mean,
freak things happen, Guys going down at the wrong time. Yeah,
that's the luck portion of it. And this thing we
talked a lot about I wrote a lot about this
during my time. Baseball America studied extensively. There are things
(10:36):
teams can do to put themselves in the best position
to win in the postseason where it's not completely luck.
First and foremost, you have to be top half of
Major League Baseball and payroll to win in World Series period.
We've studied this extensively since nineteen ninety two. The only
team that wasn't to do it was the two thousand
and three Marlins. As much as we talk about efficiency
and dollars per war, all on and on, not, the
(10:56):
fact of the matter is to acquire both the stars
and depth needed to win a World Series costs money period,
end of discussion. We can talk about all we want
about these small market teams, the Rays, the Brewers, you know,
the A's when they were competitive, They're not gonna win
because they're not spending enough money. It's that simple. So
that's first and foremost. Secondly, you have to have an
(11:17):
offense that's top ten and runs scored eleven years in
a row. Now, you have to be able to score
and score a lot to win. It's not just about pitching.
You have to be balanced. We've also seen the last
six years, you have to be top five in the
majors and home runs and this one's a little bit
of a looser correlation, but still all these things. So again,
does this mean that every team that's top half in
payroll and is top ten the majors and scoring is
(11:38):
going to win a World Series? Of course not. But
the World Series winners will come from the pool of
teams who are that, and we see that consistently. So
there are certain elements of your team that you have
to have, and the teams that have that that's the
pool of teams that win a World Series. So yes,
there's an element of luck involved, but you also need
(11:59):
to have certain check there's certain boxes you have to
check to really be a World Series contender, and we
see that year after year after yar that's who wins.
Speaker 1 (12:08):
Thinking so much of last year that it's the complete
lack of flug that did the Padres in in the postseason.
I know that, Mike Schuld and listen, you need to execute,
you need to go hinder the little things right, correct.
But and Sheill used to love talking about the power
of friendship innings. That's not gonna get you far, man,
when you're playing a team that can mash and has
some pitching.
Speaker 3 (12:25):
So yes and no, right, because it's both. So I
want to be clear. I've talked about how teams need
to be top five majors in home runs, but I
need to go back and look at my study. It's
in one of my files here, but I believe it's
eleven of the last fifteen World Series champions were also
top ten the majors and hits. So it's both. You
have to hit for average and power. People talk about
this trade off when you look at the teams that win,
it's both. You have to be good at both. And again, yes,
(12:47):
the Potters lack slug. They were also eighteenth in the
majors and run scored and have won the lowest on
base percentage in baseball. So this was an offense that
was just not good enough. Independent of just the slug.
I mean, there are a lot of elements here. They
did not Early in the season we saw them being
able to manufacture runs and score it. They stopped doing that.
They stopped running the bases aggressively, they stopped coming up
with good situational heading. So you know, in terms of
(13:09):
what did them then, I mean, I before the series
of Mistart, I said, yeah, the Cubs are going to
win this series in three games. The Potters are terrible
on the road, which again is another factor to be
You have to have a winning record on the road
to be a World Series winner. We've seen that for
fifteen years in a row, and the office just wasn't
good enough. Realistically, this was a the Cubs were the
better team, they were at home. They just beat the Potters.
This wasn't a Potterish, you know, the Potterish shortcomings weren't new.
(13:32):
The Cubs were the better team and they beat them.
So again, I think overall, just to kind of wrap up,
because I'm monologuing way too long, there are things you
have to have in place to be a World Series contender.
It's not just luck, like I feel like some people
like to randomly assign it, which is not correct.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
So anymore for any more for the mail back, and
I do want to mention if you have any more questions,
even I don't think we have any more shows this week,
but any any questions you guys have, send them to
us at Friar tear Y at Marty Caswell, Kyle Blazer,
and we will answer your questions on the next one
on the on the next show.
Speaker 3 (14:06):
Absolutely all right. Last and final question this one from
Clippers SD lovely throwback, love the old logo there. Who
plays first base for the Potters next season, Marty? We've
talked about this right now. It's Gavin Sheets, and even
though he struggled at times at first base last year,
he is a first baseman by trade. If you give him,
you know, every day reps over there, he can play
(14:27):
the position.
Speaker 1 (14:28):
I know Manny Machado made a case for having Ryan
or Hearn back. I don't know if that's going to
be possible. I think it could still be Jake conin fourth.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
I don't know that they're going to move him. I
know we've spent endless time talking.
Speaker 1 (14:39):
About the idea of trading Drake Cornenworth, given his salary
and given teams looking for such a versatile player. But
it wouldn't surprise me if Croninworth is back with the
Padres and he is your first baseman moving forward.
Speaker 2 (14:51):
Where do you think, Kyle?
Speaker 3 (14:53):
I think that would be the least optimal situation, just
because we've talked about the Potters needing to add offensive
stump and the best way to do that is to
bring in another first basement or if Sheets is your
first baseman, you know, create every day at bats for
at least Campusano DH. Really, the optimal outcome would be
they bring in another first baseman who can who can
really thump. You know, if Jake Corona Work moves to
(15:14):
first base, okay, then your second basement right now it
might be sun Moon Song, who are not sure is
in every player. It doesn't really solve your power problem.
So I think realistically the best situation for the Potter is,
given their current roster, would be Sheets as your everyday
first baseman. Campus On is your DH. But the best
possible outcome would be for them to make an addition.
(15:34):
And that's where we've talked all about their payroll situation
with the Michael King signing with the Sung Win Song signing.
Fangrafts Now has the Potters projected payroll at two hundred
and twenty million dollars this year, last year a two
hundred and eleven million. Again, the numbers are living and
you go to Cots Baseball contracts, they have this year
two hundred and fourteen million, last year two hundred and
eight million. So but the overall ballpark is the Potters
(15:57):
right now are about six to eight million dollars depending
on your source, over last year's payroll, and they've said
they're going to try and keep their payroll to the
same level as last year. So for them to make
they're already over and to make more additions again unless
they surprisingly boost payroll, which is always a possibility, but
it's unlikely given that they're exploring a sale. They would
(16:18):
have to move someone, they'd have to move some salary
to go make an acquisition.
Speaker 2 (16:22):
You still think Jay Cuinnenworth is the most likely to
be moved.
Speaker 3 (16:25):
I do, just looking at the salary, looking at you know,
what the Potters can maybe do to kind of find
some different options. But again, nothing's out of the question
when it comes to Aj Preller. We know this. Nothing
is ever out of the question.
Speaker 2 (16:39):
You're exactly right.
Speaker 1 (16:40):
And I know we spent a lot of time last
week talking about the idea of Nick Pavetta. Just real quick, Kyle,
anything you took away from And I know AJ Prebler
doesn't tell you really anything, okay, But I know on
Friday I asked and listen, last time we were here,
we talked about tatis, trade rumors, anything on Nick Pavetta.
And one thing he did say during his press or
is you can't have enough starting and he kept saying
(17:01):
the plan moving forward is you know it's gonna be
Michael King and Nick Pavetta. You have Joe Musgrove coming back,
and he talked about the need for young, controllable pitcher.
What do you think on Paveta, Do you think that
there's a likelihood that he could still be moved?
Speaker 2 (17:16):
That's my male bad question to you, Kyle.
Speaker 3 (17:20):
It would have to be a blow him away kind
of package. The Padres understand what they have in Nick Pavetta.
They have a talented, i would say, frontline pitcher in
the sense he showed he could pitch that level last year. Again,
the track record isn't there, but he showed he can
do it last year. Who not only is able to
give you quality starts, but give you deep starts. We
(17:42):
saw him go seven, we saw him go eight. We
saw him be the guy that when the Potters need
to stop a losing streak, he was the guy who
go out there and he was your wind day guy
if you needed seven, you know, seven innings one run.
He gave it to you. So for the Potters to
move him, it would have to be again for multiple young,
controllable players ready to play in the major leagues right now,
(18:05):
and other teams are generally hesitant to give that up
for someone who could be a free agent in a
year with Nick Povetta having his opt out, So that's
going to be the push poll here. Do we get
to a point in February where a team that really
needs starting pitching lost out on all of its free
agent targets and gets desperate and is maybe willing to
pay a higher price. Possibly, but again it's going to
(18:28):
take a lot to prime Nick Privetta from the Padres.
It could happen again, It's just we have to wait
and see. I think it would be later in this offseason,
after the free agent market has thinned out and keep
you're looking around saying, oh crap, we need help and
this is our only option right now.
Speaker 1 (18:43):
Do you anticipate any huge moves coming just in baseball
overall over over the next week and a half, or
can we go ahead and I'll just breathe and take
some time off and turn.
Speaker 2 (18:50):
Off our phones.
Speaker 3 (18:51):
There will always be big moves. I think we are
going to start to see some of the more high
some of the Marque free agents.
Speaker 1 (18:59):
Start, the bigger names, the Baschets, the Kyle Teckers, guys
like that, going off the bad challengers.
Speaker 3 (19:04):
I think within the next two to three weeks, I
don't see any of these guys remaining free agents into February.
After spring training starts like we saw with Bryce Harper,
like we saw that was insane. Yeah, yeah, I remember
covering a Brave spring training game when the news broke
that Bryce Harper signed with the Phillies. So I think
we'll see them within the next two to three weeks,
We'll start see some of the big guys come off
(19:24):
the board, and then when that happens, we're going to
start to see the middle tier for agency really start
to pick up.
Speaker 1 (19:29):
Two quick things, Kyle, before we wrap this Before, before
we wrap this this thing up, I'm just I wonder
if we're gonna get resolution on you Darvish's future in
the coming weeks. By the way, he was there at
the at the press conference for for Michael King, and
I think Michael made a very funny comp not a
funny comment, but he mentioned how Darvish actually sat in
on a meeting with his agent and he was really
(19:51):
really impressive, right, So I wonder maybe maybe he's getting
feet wet for them. For the next step is aj Prellers.
I don't know, as a special assistant assistant whatever go
scout Japan. Tinds some players, but I just wonder if
we might get resolutions sooner rather than later on you Darbash.
And my next question is on Michael King, Just what
do you get about this deal with you know, the
opt outs, what he can make, but especially with the
(20:13):
idea that there could be a work stoppage a year
from now.
Speaker 3 (20:19):
Yeah, look, I mean that's something that affects everyone beyond
this Michael King.
Speaker 1 (20:22):
Right.
Speaker 3 (20:23):
On the one hand, every team, you know, players aren't
paid during a workstoppage. I think it's important to understand.
You know, people need to understand players are paid their
size during the season. If there's no season, they don't
get paid. So, you know, on the one hand, that's
something to say for certain teams like oh, you know,
they're not going to have to pay out the full
amount of the salary, but they're also not bringing the
(20:44):
gate revenue, which depending on the team, you know, between tickets, parking, food,
you know, in stadium merch for the posits every like
thirty minimum, you know, well, not minimally, I say most
teams it's about thirty to forty percent of their of
their revenue, depends on the team, depends on the situation.
But if any business lost thirty to forty percent of
their revenue, they'd be in dire straight. So again, in
(21:06):
terms of the lockout, it's it's for all players, right,
we just have to wait and see what's going to mean.
I think realistically the Potters are doing the right thing,
which is trying to put their best foot forward to
win in twenty twenty six, because, as we've talked about,
the possibility exists of an extended lockout in twenty twenty seven,
and then by the time twenty twenty eight comes around,
Machadaw and Bogart's from their age thirty four seasons, I'm sorry,
(21:28):
it would be their age thirty five seasons. Then. You know,
as we've discussed, there are exceptions, you know, the Freddie Freeman's,
the Justin Turners, the JD. Martinez is their exceptions. But
on the whole, the majority of position players fall off
a cliff hitting their age thirty five season in the
post steroid era, so understanding that trying to be as
competitive as they can be for twenty twenty six is
(21:50):
the right move. This was a good first step to
doing that.
Speaker 2 (21:53):
I like it. I like it.
Speaker 1 (21:54):
That was a lot of fun, all right, Kyle, I
read this was a lot of fun the very first
holiday mailbag, and this will continue into twenty two. I
already received a question about Manny Machado and the idea
of moving him one day to first base, but we'll
save that question for the next Padres mail bag. I
am Marty Caswell. That is Kyle Glazier. Thank you so
much for watching us here today on Friar Territory. We
(22:15):
are part of the Foul Territory TV network. I need
some gear. I have my eyes on that gray, bluish
hoodie that I want, so I will be sending you
my orders soon.
Speaker 2 (22:24):
Kyle, appreciate you. We'll talk soon.
Speaker 3 (22:26):
Sounds good. Have a great holiday, everybody,
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Bobby Bones Show
Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.