San Diego Padres front office, +1.3 WAA
Preller’s hopes of passing the Dodgers got a crushing blow just as spring camp opened when it was announced that star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. had broken his thumb during the lockout. Tatis still hasn’t returned. Fortunately, backup Ha-Seong Kim has stepped in to perform decently at shortstop in the absence of Tatis, although as a roster holdover Kim’s accomplishments do not pad Preller’s interim score.
Preller had 36 moves since the end of 2021 that involved a 2022 major leaguer, the breakdown being 17 positive, 16 negative and three neutral. Only one of those moves, however, has had statistical consequence.
Here are the five most impactful:
Nov. 27: Assuming that they were set up the middle with Tatis and Jake Cronenworth, the Padres traded surplus middle infielder Adam Frazier to Seattle for a minor leaguer and a fringe player. It’s been a rough go in the Northwest for Frazier, who’s off to a .223 start with a .580 OPS and a negative defensive profile. It adds up to a -1.7 WAA.
Dec. 1: The Padres purchased catcher Jorge Alfaro from Miami as part of the latter club’s budget reduction plan. Alfaro’s been a +0.8 benefit to the Padres, hitting .270 with a solid .752 OPS and mid-pack defensive numbers.
Nov. 5: The Padres allowed closer Mark Melancon to go to free agency, only to lose him less than a month later to the division rival Diamondbacks. So far, the loss has been a blessing in disguise. Melancon is 3-7 in 29 innings with Arizona, getting whacked for a 5.22 ERA and a -0.8 WAA. The Padres are better off with new closer Taylor Rogers.
April 7: The Padres got Taylor Rogers in a five-player swap with the Twins that also cost them pitcher Emilio Pagan. Minnesota has been a surprise team in the AL Central, but not because of anything Pagan has done. In 31 relief appearances encompassing 30 innings he has a 5.16 ERA and a -0.8 WAA.
March 28: The details of the acquisition of Matt Beaty having already been discussed with respect to the Dodgers, there is no reason — aside possibly from embarrassing the Padres — to revisit them here.