Padres Faux Winter Meetings: Behind the scenes of lineup construction

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 29: Manny Machado #13 of the San Diego Padres stands on the field before their game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on August 29, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Final thoughts and simulation lineup

Now that our Faux Winter Meetings have come to an end, let’s look at the lineup I was able to put together and see if it’s good enough

In the end, I finished with a payroll of $131.25 million, which I think is about accurate with where the Padres payroll could be on Opening Day.

Here is the potential lineup with the team I was able to put together.

Lineup:

1. Tatis Jr. – SS

2. Hosmer – 1B

3. Machado – 3B

4. Peralta – LF

5. Jones/Mazara – RF

6. Bader – CF

7. Mejia – C

8. Urias – 2B

Bench: Hechavarria, Jones/Mazara, Hedges, Margot

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Starting rotation:

1. Paddack

2. Arrieta

3. Richards

4. Pineda

5. Lamet

I’m not really going to get into the bullpen because I think that’s an easy fix and one that can work itself out during the season.

The lineup is not bad, but I still think it’s lacking some punch. You’d be counting on guys like Urias and Bader to have big turnarounds, and you’d be hoping Mejia breaks out.

That top 4-5 is really solid, though.

As far as the rotation, it’s also very solid but lacking some punch. I think it would look a lot better if you just replace Arrieta with Wheeler and Pineda with Lucchesi or Lauer.

Then if Gore and Patino continue to progress it could look even more formidable with them in the middle of the rotation and Paddack/Wheeler at the top.

I really enjoyed this exercise and think I did a pretty good job of putting together a team that can contend in 2020, while not breaking the bank or destroying the future by trading away the farm system.

Let me know how you think I did in the comments below!

Final thoughts and simulation lineup

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Schedule