San Diego Padres: Who Are You Keeping? Who Is Left Unprotected?

If Major League Baseball were to expand, which players are you protecting on the San Diego Padres roster?

It’s another off day and a slow day at work, meaning mindless browsing around the internet in between clock watching and wandering around the office. With no San Diego Padres baseball to look forward to tonight, the mindless browsing led to extensive reading into the possible expansion of Major League Baseball to 32 teams.

Commissioner Rob Manfred appears determined to bring teams to either Portland, Charlotte, Montreal, or Mexico. Each location brings with it a long list of positives, most notably, expanding professional baseball to eager fanbases.

Now, what if these plans turn into concrete action and we see another expansion draft take place? Who should the San Diego Padres protect? Put on your General Manager hat and decide, who on this active roster has a role in the future of this franchise? Which prospects are 100% hands-off?

Before we play, let’s lay down the ground rules. Reverting back to the 1997 MLB expansion draft rules, they are as follows:

• The Padres can protect 15 players, including the major league roster and the rosters of every affiliate within the organization.
• If a player was 19 or younger when signed and has three years or less of service time with no major league experience or has less than four years of service time and was signed before the age of 18, they are protected.
• Any player who is a free agent at the end of the 2018 season can’t be protected.
• Last year’s draft class is protected.

Protected players from the San Diego Padres.

1. SP Clayton Richard
2. SP Joey Lucchesi
3. RP Brad Hand
4. RP Craig Stammen
5. RP Adam Cimber
6. 1B Eric Hosmer
7. OF Franchy Cordero
8. OF Manuel Margot
9. OF Wil Myers
10. C Austin Hedges
11. 2B Luis Urias
12. SS Fernando Tatis, Jr
13. SP Logan Allen
14. SP Chris Paddack
15. OF Hunter Renfroe

The pitchers were a fairly easy decision. Clayton Richard is in the middle of a hot stretch and while

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he’s sure to revert back to run-of-the-mill Clayton Richard eventually, he’s proven to be a vital

mentor to the rookie pitchers. Stammen is the most reliable option out of the bullpen and Adam Cimber is an underrated piece of the puzzle.

As for the prospects, Logan Allen has been spectacular in San Antonio. He will be pitching at Petco Park before the end of the season. Chris Paddack is everyone’s flavor of the month and for good reason. He’s only improved since returning from Tommy John surgery.

The final spot belongs to Hunter Renfroe. There’s a simple reason for that, trade bait. He provides more value than Franmil Reyes or Travis Jankowski and can be flipped for more pitching or a third baseman, in the ideal, perfect world.

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There are a few notable exemptions on this list. Tyson Ross and Freddy Galvis would have made the cut, but they will be free agents after this season. Serious consideration was given to Christian Villanueva, however, Tatis can man third base for a season or two until another third baseman is found.

Who would you take off or add to the list? Remember, this is just for fun, there’s no reason to get defensive or attack anyone.