Padres Press Clips Monday, December 18, 2017

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Padres re-sign , designate for SD Union Tribune Lin 2 assignment

Padres roster review: SD Union Tribune Sanders 3

Padres still trying to find their identity as they look to future SD Union Tribune Canepa 5

The price for new Padres SD Union Tribune Sanders 8

Padres sign Lyles to 1-year deal MLB.com Thornburg 10

Padres acquire Galvis in trade with Phillies MLB.com Cassavell 11

RHP Jordan Lyles signs 1-year deal with Padres Associated Press AP 13

San Diego Padres Trade for Shortstop NBC San Diego Togerson 14

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Padres re-sign Jordan Lyles, designate Travis Wood for assignment Dennis Lin The asking prices for most free-agent starters have not appealed to the Padres. On Tuesday, they demonstrated it by purchasing controllable right-hander Bryan Mitchell from the . San Diego agreed to take on and his $13 million salary in the trade.

On Sunday, the Padres re-signed right-hander Jordan Lyles to a one-year contract worth $1 million. Lyles will make $750,000 in 2018. The deal includes a club option (with a $250,000 buyout) and performance bonuses for 2019. Left-hander Travis Wood was designated for assignment, clearing room for Lyles on the 40-man roster.

Once an interesting prospect, Lyles signed a minor league deal in August after being released by the . He had his contract purchased and struggled to a 9.39 ERA in five starts with San Diego.

Lyles, 27, was an unusually young free agent this winter. He debuted in the majors as a 20-year- old, showed early promise in Houston’s rotation and has since failed to gain traction. Across seven seasons with the Astros, Rockies and Padres, he owns a 5.43 ERA.

Still, Lyles retains more upside than some. His option will escalate by $1 million if he is named Sporting News’ Comeback Player of the Year.

The Padres acquired Wood in July, and the former pitcher posted a 6.71 ERA in 11 starts. Wood, 30, surrendered 15 home runs in 52 1/3 innings with San Diego.

The Royals are responsible for Wood’s $6.5 million salary next season. He has a $1.5 million buyout on a 2019 option that, if paid, will be split between Kansas City and whichever team acquires him.

Lyles joins Mitchell, , Luis Perdomo, , , Robbie Erlin and Colin Rea as rotation candidates. The Padres would like to add a couple more starters before .

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Padres roster review: Robbie Erlin Jeff Sanders

ROBBIE ERLIN

• Position: Left-handed pitcher • 2018 age: 27 • Bats/throws: R/L • Height/weight: 6-foot / 190 pounds • Acquired: From the Rangers in a July 2011 trade • Contract status: Agreed to a $650,000 salary to avoid arbitration; will not be a free agent until 2021 • Key stats: Did not play (injured)

STAT TO NOTE

• 9.1 – Erlin’s per nine innings in 574 1/3 innings in the minors. In the majors, Erlin has managed to fan only 6.6 batters per nine innings.

TRENDING

• Down – Erlin was 22 years old when he tossed 54 2/3 innings as a rookie in 2013. He threw 61 1/3 innings the following year but injuries limited him to 32 2/3 innings from 2015 to 2016, the last of which requiring Tommy John surgery that knocked him out all of 2017 as well. He was throwing off a mound last September, but did not progress quickly enough to return to the majors, where he has a 4.54 ERA in 148 2/3 innings across parts of four seasons. Over that stretch – which starts in 25 of his 30 appearances – Erlin is 9- 12 with a 1.26 WHIP, 109 strikeouts and 35 walks. Originally acquired alongside in the trade, a healthy Erlin paired a 90 mph fastball with a knee-buckling curve that had him fanning as many as 11.9 batters per 12 innings in 2012, when America ranked him the 10th-best prospect in the Padres system. With the Rangers, he ranked as high as No. 4 after commanding a $425,000 signing bonus as a third-round pick.

2018 OUTLOOK

• After missing most of 2016 and all of 2017, Erlin will have to finally take a step forward to avoid getting lost in an organization that has several high-profile arms moving through the system. The Padres inked him to a contract early in the offseason, which suggests he’ll have every opportunity to hold down a swing-man spot in the bullpen if he doesn’t win a

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spot in the rotation outright in camp, where he’ll likely be more one of a dozen or so competing for a slot.

PADRES POWER RANKINGS (Currently 40 players on 40-man roster)

1. Carlos Asuaje 2. Franchy Cordero 3. Alex Dickerson 4. Carter Capps 5. Robbie Erlin 6. Colten Brewer 7. Buddy Baumann 8. Jose Castillo 9. Miguel Diaz 10. Allen Cordoba

Traded away:

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Padres still trying to find their identity as they look to future Nick Canepa Sez Me. …

The Padres are about to play their 50th season of (sporadic) . By the time I turned 50, despite Angry Villager protests, I’d figured out what I wanted to be.

Alas, our beloved Pads, bless their hearts, still are exploring their future options.

Who knows what they’re doing right now? I’m not bitching about it. Just trying to figure them out, is all, which may be the most difficult conundrum since Oedipus solved the Riddle of the Sphinx. And I’m not Oedipus.

I have watched them, often painfully, since their 1969 inception. The problem from the very beginning (for decades) was money — not enough of it or an unwillingness to spend it.

We know the story. A few good years, two appearances (unfortunately against a pair of the greatest teams in the last half-century), some mediocrity and bad draft after bad draft and bad season after bad season.

But enough about the past (we’ve had enough of it).

I’ve been on board, completely, with the Fowler-Seidler ownership group’s stance to become farm grown, allowing General A.J. Preller to go crazy in the international store, emptying the shelves and filling his cart with one young prospect after another, to the tune of close to $100 million.

What’s quickly happened is that the Padres’ minor league system now is regarded as one of the very best in the game.

The problem: Most of the kids they’ve signed barely are old enough to drive, so it’s going to take time. Despite arthritic thumbs, I’ve come to grips. It’s the way they should go — should have gone many years ago.

Now, they’re trying to throw a change-up.

They went after two-way Shohei Ohtani, Japan’s Christian Bethancourt, but lost him to the Angels. There were no guarantees with Shohei, and now we learn he has a bum elbow.

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They’ve needed a shortstop since Enzo Hernandez, and they just made a trade with the Phillies, giving up prospect pitcher for resilient Freddy Galvis, who flat can play short.

Maybe Freddy’s a one-year fix as they await the arrival of Fernando Tatis Jr., but he’s needed. With their luck, DeLo will win the Cy Young one day. But I like the trade.

Meanwhile, they also dealt with the Yankees for pitcher Bryan Mitchell and former Padres third baseman/good guy Chase Headley for expendable Jabari Blash. Chase may not stick around. They have hundreds of third basemen.

But they’re also going after expensive free-agent , which harkens back to 2015, when they spent spent millions in flop money. It’s doubtful Hosmer, a good player (but sometimes good players aren’t so good after getting big money) will get the $200 million agent Scott Boras desires, but it will be plenty.

It would mean moving to the outfield (or out of town), so Wil would be giving up his one-year Face of San Diego Sports tag.

The deal would fly in the profile of everything they’ve been planning.

I don’t disagree. It’s not my money. I just don’t understand what exactly they want to be when they grow up. …

Andy Green has confirmed what I’ve been saying. Myers has focusing issues. …

Already blessed with the best given-name WAR, Franchy Cordero is getting close to big time. …

When it’s hot, fans behind the plate at Petco will miss the breeze created by Blash’s strikeouts. …

Love the loopholes in MLB’s luxury tax threshold (see Dodgers-Yankees). Baseball is so unfair. ...

Boras says the Marlins were an MLB jewelry store that’s become a pawn shop. Right. Jewelry made of fool’s gold and cubic zirconia. ...

Can’t believe any NFL player has improved more than Judases corner Trevor Williams. …

If every Super Bowl were played in Miami, Tom Brady would be ringless. …

You say you have quarterback problems? Josh McCown is the first Jets QB to start every game since Richard Todd. 1980. Now McCown is out. …

Roger Goodell gets five more years to screw up. …

Goodell says he has a great relationship with Jerry Jones. Possible. Roger Hatfield became close friends with Jerry McCoy. …

Football in the snow. Why games don’t belong under domes. ... 6

Chicken giant Sanderson Farms is blaming NFL protests for wing sales laying an egg. Talk about chicken #%*#. …

All these basketball “experts” who complain Lonzo Ball passes too much don’t know the game, can’t recognize the beauty of it, the best part of it. They never saw how real basketball was played. …

Heaven forbid a young athlete recognizes his limitations and does unselfish things. ...

Chas Barkley on LaVar Ball sending his kids to Lithuania: “I wish there were a place farther away they could send him.” ...

Reggie Bush is retiring. If you want a holiday treat, Google up his highlight reel at USC. No one who ever played can match his footage. …

Royce Freeman opts out of Oregon’s bowl game to save himself for the NFL Draft. See? You can take the kid out of Imperial High. …

Wayne Carlson, a friend, former colleague, excellent editor and writer, huge UW fan, has passed. RIP. …

Interim Louisville President Greg Postel: “I love sports, but athletics is overemphasized. This is a university, not a sports complex.” Next applicant! …

Stink ’O The Week Sezment: Paying to park at Vegas hotels. It was a sad day when Michael Corleone lost control of Sin City to the bean counters. …

Travel tip: When the Raiders play Vegas home games, parking fees are expected to jump. Can’t have people paying $20 to park and walking or Ubering to games. ...

Scientists believe drinking alcohol can help people speak a foreign language. I can’t drink anymore. Que lastima.

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The price for new Padres shortstop Freddy Galvis Jeff Sanders The Padres have trotted out 14 different players at shortstop since the start of 2015, General Manager A.J. Preller’s first full year on the job. Today, we learned the name of the next stop- gap at the position:

Freddy Galvis entering his walk year.

The cost for such a significant step up (more on that in a bit) could prove steep.

For one year of Galvis, a 28-year-old switch-hitter coming off a 1.6 WAR campaign, the Padres are giving up more than six years of control of right-hander Enyel De Los Santos, previously ranked No. 13 in MLB.com’s assessment of the Padres’ top-30 prospects.

The return in the Joaquin Benoit trade, the 21-year-old De Los Santos ranked 15th in ’s valuation of the Padres system heading into his 2017 season at -A San Antonio (10-6, 3.78 ERA, 8.3 K/9). He touches 97 mph with average secondaries. He could stand to improve his control like most hard throwers and projects as a back-end starter with room to grow.

So, not a top prospect by any stretch.

The cupboard is hardly barren in the upper levels as Cal Quantrill (No. 2, MLB.com), Eric Lauer (No. 8) and Joey Lucchesi (No. 9) all figure to start 2018 in the rotation at Double-A San Antonio or above. In the lower rungs of the system, MacKenzie Gore (No. 1), Adrian Morejon (No. 5), (No. 6), Michel Baez (No. 7), Logan Allen (No. 13), (No. 19), (No. 26), Reggie Lawson (No. 27) and Pedro Avila (unranked) are all on the come.

The system is as rich in starting pitching prospects as it’s been at any point in the Petco era.

Nevertheless, sometimes you don’t know what you’ve given up … until it’s too late.

Take the case of Corey Kluber.

He was the Padres’ fourth-rounder in 2007, fell out of the Baseball America’s Padres top-30 after his draft year and was presumably a throw-away pitching prospect when he was included in the trade that brought Ryan Ludwick to a playoff push that ultimately fell short.

Sure, the Padres liked Kluber (some more than others). He even had 136 strikeouts in 122 2/3 innings at Double-A San Antonio when he shipped to Cleveland at the 2010 trade deadline. Today, he’s turned in two AL Cy Young campaigns for the Indians.

Odds are that the Padres won’t get Kluber’d again. (No organization is that cursed, right?) 8

You just wonder if the risk of undervaluing another pitching prospect – whether he becomes an ace (ouch), a dependable fifth starter (useful) or a one-inning reliever (dime a dozen) – is worth one guaranteed year of Galvis, the presumed bridge to top prospect Fernando Tatis Jr.

The 2010 Padres were trying to return to the postseason when they gave up Kluber.

The 2018 Padres?

They’d be foolish to say Galvis alone is enough to push them ahead of any of the NL West’s playoff-qualifiers. It’s hard to believe even the addition of Eric Hosmer, a bounce-back year from Wil Myers and tremendous step forwards from Dinelson Lamet, Hunter Renfroe and Jose Pirela does that in one year alone.

A more realistic trajectory remains pointed toward 2019 and beyond, a window that is unlikely to include Galvis but may have had room for De Los Santos.

Of course, it’s hard to fault an organization that’s struggled so much to find a usable shortstop, let alone someone as productive – especially with the glove but at bat, as well – as Galvis.

Compare his last three years to the output of the 14 that Preller has tried (the list is too entertaining not to include in its entirety): , Clint Barmes, Jedd Gyorko, Will Middlebrooks, Alexei Ramirez, Luis Sardinas, Jose Rondon, Adam Rosales, Nick Noonan, Eric Aybar, Yangervis Solarte, Dusty Coleman, Allen Cordoba and Chase d’Arnaud.

• Galvis, 2015-17 | .253 avg., .295 OBP, .375 SLG, 39 HRs, 178 RBIs, 195 runs, 41 steals, 100 BBs, 350 Ks, 5.2 WAR (38.6 Def.) • Padres SS, 15-17 | .223 avg., .276 OBP, .323 SLG, 29 HRs, 152 RBIs, 167 runs, 34 steals, 118 BBs, 370 Ks, -5.9 WAR (-27.1 Def.)

There’s no doubt that Galvis improves the 2018 Padres — improves the infield defense (greatly) for a rotation that needs all the help it can get, improves the lineup (somewhat) and improves clubhouse culture.

Time will tell if the real price — perhaps much more than Galvis’ projected $7.4 million salary in 2018 — was worth it.

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Padres sign pitcher Lyles to 1-year deal Lefty Wood designated for assignment in corresponding move By Chad Thornburg MLB.com Dec. 17th, 2017

The Padres on Sunday announced a one-year deal with free-agent pitcher Jordan Lyles. To make room on the 40-man roster, San Diego designated veteran Travis Wood for assignment.

Lyles, 27, posted a 7.75 ERA through 38 appearances (69 2/3 innings) last season with the Rockies and Padres. The right-hander was released by the Rockies in early August and joined the Padres on a Minor League contract.

Lyles' deal is worth $750,000 in 2018 and features a club option for the '19 season, a team source told MLB.com. He's one of about eight pitchers expected to compete for a rotation spot this spring.

He began his Padres tenure at Triple-A El Paso, then finished the year with five big league starts as a September callup after pitching exclusively in relief with Colorado.

The Padres are Lyles' third MLB club. A first-round Draft pick of the Astros in 2008, he owns a 28-48 record and a 5.43 ERA through 182 games in the Majors.

Wood, 30, went 4-7 with a 6.80 ERA in 39 games with the Royals and Padres last season. The Padres acquired him, Minor League infielder Esteury Ruiz, left-hander Matt Strahm and cash in a trade with Kansas City in July.

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Padres acquire Galvis in trade with Phillies By AJ Cassavell MLB.com @AJCassavell Dec. 15th, 2017

SAN DIEGO -- The Padres filled their seemingly annual shortstop vacancy on Friday morning, swinging a deal to land Freddy Galvis from Philadelphia for Minor League right-hander Enyel De Los Santos.

The 28-year-old Galvis will be a free agent after the season, but for now, he fills one of the Padres' biggest needs. In all likelihood, he'll be their Opening Day shortstop, and he's a huge defensive upgrade over the past three seasons. That's especially important for the Majors' most ground-ball happy rotation.

"Getting some stability in that spot is going to be a very good thing for our ballclub, our pitching staff," said Padres general manager A.J. Preller. "He's a winning baseball player."

Galvis, who batted .255/.309/.382 with 12 homers in 2017, also figures to serve as a veteran clubhouse presence on an extremely young offense. All along, Galvis was the club's top target at short, according to people in the organization, though free agents Zack Cozart and Alcides Escobar were also considered.

. 15th, 2017 It's likely Galvis spends only 2018 in San Diego, with No. 4 prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. on the horizon. In that regard, he's the Padres fourth consecutive one-year stopgap at short, after Clint Barmes, Alexei Ramirez and Erick Aybar in the last three years.

But unlike that trio, Galvis arrived via trade and he's still in his prime. Plus, Tatis' emergence this year made a one-year option very likely. The Padres feel as though they have their shortstop of the future. And now they have their bridge to him, too.

"I don't think it necessarily has to be only a one-year fit," Preller said. "But when other guys push to make the big league club, you're not locked into a four-year commitment. Ultimately, we looked at that as a positive. We'll see how it plays out. We'll still have flexibility here down the road."

At the Winter Meetings this week, San Diego narrowed its list of shortstops, weighing the cost of free agents vs. the acquisition cost of trade candidates. For Galvis, the price was De Los Santos, a 21-year-old hard-throwing right-hander. The Padres also designated right- hander Jose Ruiz for assignment, creating room for Galvis on the 40-man roster.

It's unclear whether De Los Santos projects as a starter in the long term. But he's been a very effective in the Padres' system. In 26 appearances for Double-A San Antonio last season, De Los Santos posted a 3.78 ERA with 138 strikeouts in 150 innings.

"Enyel's going to be a very good pitcher," Preller said. "They hit on a good one. I think you've got to give up something to get something."

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For the Padres, who are admittedly looking to the future as much as the present, there are questions about dealing Minor League talent for a one-year option at shortstop. But their pitching depth made De Los Santos expendable. He was the club's No. 13 prospect, but the No. 8 starting pitcher.

In Preller's eyes, that was a fair price for Galvis, who has a number of ties to the organization. He was signed by VP of scouting Don Welke out of Venezuela, and he worked with new hitting coach Matt Stairs in Philadelphia.

"He's a guy that we view as a very good defensive player, a leader on the field, which is what you want from the shortstop position," said Preller. "He's got tremendous hands, a great release. From an offensive standpoint … there's tremendous growth in there."

Fantasy spin | Fred Zinkie (@FredZinkieMLB) Set to hold a full-time role with the Padres, Galvis could help those in 15-team leagues if he receives a chance to fill a premium lineup spot. After all, the shortstop exhibited improved plate discipline last season (career-best 0.41 BB/K ratio) and has produced 32 homers, 128 RBIs, 132 runs scored and 31 steals across the past two campaigns. Meanwhile, Galvis' departure opens up the starting shortstop position for prospect J.P. Crawford in Philadelphia. Although he is likely not ready to contribute in shallow formats, Crawford should be a viable option in NL-only leagues and may earn a spot in 15-team mixed settings next season.

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RHP Jordan Lyles signs 1-year deal with Padres 5:55 PM PT Associated Press

SAN DIEGO -- The have signed right-hander Jordan Lyles to a one-year contract with a club option for 2019.

The Padres announced the move Sunday. Left-hander Travis Wood was designated for assignment. The 27-year-old Lyles joined San Diego in early August, soon after being released by Colorado. He was a combined 1-5 with a 7.75 ERA in 38 games, including five starts.

Lyles is 28-48 with a 5.43 ERA in seven seasons with Houston, the Rockies and the Padres. Wood was 4-7 with a 6.80 ERA in 39 games for Kansas City and San Diego last season. The 30-year- old lefty pitched 11 times for the Padres, all of them starts.

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San Diego Padres Trade for Shortstop Friars send pitching prospect to Phillies for Gold Glove Finalist By Derek Togerson Published at 11:17 AM PST on Dec 15, 2017

The Padres have had a revolving door at shortstop since ... well since general manager A.J. Preller traded Trea Turner to the Nationals. But before that Khalil Greene was the last day- in-day-out guy at short and he left after the 2008 season (there was the wild Everth Cabrera era but I think it’s best we forget all about that).

They have a couple of potential franchise SS in the system so Preller is buying time until Luis Urias and Fernando Tatis Jr. are ready. On Friday the Friars landed their latest stopgap but it’s a pretty good one.

San Diego acquired Freddy Galvis from the Phillies for AA starting pitcher Enyel De Los Santos. Galvis is not bad with the bat, hitting .255 with 12 HR and 61 RBI. But he’s one of the most reliable defenders in the game. In 2017 Galvis led MLB shortstops in fielding percentage while playing in all 162 games (156 starts). He was a finalist the last two seasons.

Galvis was Philadelphia’s nominee for the MLB Heart & Hustle Award, given to the player that demonstrates passion for the game so he’s regarded as a good clubhouse guy.

He’s also a free agent after this season so odds are this is a one-year rental for the kids to get to being MLB-ready.

This is the third straight season that Preller has brought in a short-term shortstop. In 2016 it was Alexei Ramirez and last year Erick Aybar, both on one-year deals. Galvis, 28, is much younger than either of those veterans and should be a big upgrade in the field.

De Los Santos turns 22 years old on Christmas Day. He showed promise at San Antonio with a good fastball but was not regarded as one of the Padres’ Top 5 pitching prospects.

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