SD to sell top hitter to ‘extend Kim’? “We have no choice”

토스카지노What makes San Diego’s performance this season particularly disappointing is the return on investment. The team has spent a lot of money and hasn’t gotten that much production out of it. The expectations were high, so the disappointment was high. A quick look at the team payroll rankings this season shows just how unproductive San Diego will be in 2023.

According to Sportrac, San Diego’s team payroll this year is approximately $252.75 million. This is the third largest in the major leagues, behind the New York Mets ($343.17 million) and the New York Yankees ($279.36 million). Coincidentally, the three biggest spenders this year will all miss the postseason. Even with a 26-man roster, San Diego ranks fifth overall at about $193.42 million. By any metric, it’s clear they’re a big spender.

The Mets and Yankees are up there, but you also have to consider the size of the so-called “market”. The Mets and Yankees are based in New York City, one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States. Even in California, this is not comparable to San Diego, which is a smaller city compared to Los Angeles and San Francisco. In fact, San Diego probably spends more than any other team in terms of revenue. In a way, it’s like the owners had the right idea and made a “special move,” but it didn’t pay off.

As of Aug. 28, the Padres are 61-70 (.466) and in fourth place in the National League West. That’s tied with Washington, which is also rebuilding like crazy, which is unbelievable. Their postseason chances are now down to 2.7% (per Fangraphs) due to their continued struggles. It’s a slippery slope, and San Diego is in a position to start thinking about 2024. They have to decide where their key players are going to live.

Immediately, after this season, left-hander Blake Snell, the team’s ace this year, and left-hander Josh Hader, the team’s closer, will be eligible for free agency. It’s unclear if their replacements will be within San Diego’s organization. Here’s the bigger problem. Juan Soto, 25, the team’s best hitter, is eligible for free agency after the 2024 season.

Soto famously turned down a massive extension in the mid-$400 million range when he was still in a Washington uniform. It’s clear he’s looking for a $500 million-plus total. With Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Angels) likely to be on the market this year, Soto could be a possible counteroffer. If you don’t think you can get Soto, it’s realistic to trade him after this season.

Soto’s offensive production is backed by a league-leading slugging percentage.

Soto’s total value is likely to be close to $500 million.

Soto and Kim are both eligible for free agency after the 2024 season.

San Diego hasn’t made any official statements about extending Soto yet. For now, they kept Soto at this year’s trade deadline, but the Padres already have a number of big-money long-term contracts. Manny Machado (11 years, $350 million), Fernando Tatis Jr. (14 years, $340 million), Xander Bogaerts (11 years, $280 million), Darvish Yu (6 years, $108 million), Joe Musgrove (5 years, $100 million), and Jake Cronenweth (7 years, $80 million). Soto, of course, has a bigger contract than any of them.

USA Today columnist and major league source Bob Nightingale reported on Monday that “some major league general managers believe San Diego has no choice but to move Soto before the start of the 2024 season. “Several general managers predicted the Padres have no choice but to trade outfielder Juan Soto after a terrible season,” Nightingale added.

Nightingale sees this as reasonable. San Diego is not a deep-pocketed organization like the Yankees or LA Dodgers. They have money to spend on players, and they don’t, especially with the recent bankruptcy of Valley Sports, the Sinclair Broadcasting Group, which was the lead broadcaster. Many of the teams that had contracts with them are struggling. For now, the Major League Baseball office has stepped in to support production and take over hiring, but it’s unclear what the future holds.

San Diego’s TV rights deal was originally worth $1.2 billion over 20 years. Major League Baseball has said it will do whatever it can to help the team avoid losing money. But without an eventual new deal with the rights holder, the organization can only do so much. It’s not a time for San Diego to stretch its dollar.

Waiving Soto at least prevents them from spending more money on their current payroll. It would also open up space to sign Ha-Sung Kim, 28, to an extension after the 2024 season, when he is also eligible for free agency. Assuming they get Soto, they would actually have to give up Ha-Sung Kim. But if they don’t take Soto, they have room.

San Diego needs Ha-Sung Kim. He’s their starting second baseman and a versatile player who can play shortstop and third base at any given time. He’s also been on fire offensively this year, playing leadoff. He’s a player you can’t afford to lose. Currently, he is valued at an average of $15-20 million per year, and a five-year offer sheet is expected to be in the $100 million range. Considering his importance to the team, San Diego may be able to get a good deal for him.

It’s not realistic for San Diego to sign both Soto and Kim to extensions.