The Padres, as many know, are among MLB’s disappointments this season. San Diego has the third-highest payroll in the Majors, with a budget of over $250 million.
The signing of Xander Bogaerts last offseason added to that already hefty payroll. We are talking about an 11-year contract totaling $280 million.
The former Red Sox is having a rather modest season, batting slightly above .260, with 13 home runs and 42 RBIs.
It would seem that some members of the Padres organization would like to see Bogaerts moved to the right side of the infield while his defensive game is also talked about. It is important to remember that he was promised the shortstop for the first season only.
It’s that a certain Jackson Merrill is turning heads in the organization chart of friars. At only 20 years old, Merrill is currently playing in the minors at the AA level. He’s hitting over .300 and looks like he’s playing high-level defense.
Ah yes, he even steals marble on occasion.
According to The Athletic, a few key heads in Padres management would like to see Merrill recalled to the big club in hopes of salvaging their season.
THE snag, is that we do not know where to play Merrill, he who is a shortstop player at the base. A period of experimentation is underway with the young prospect, ranked ninth in this chapter in the MLB.
He’s played a few different positions lately, including left field and first base.
The plan to recall Merrill this fall would, in my view, be a mistake. The Padres are six games away from a playoff berth, with multiple teams ahead of them. It is better, in my opinion, to let him continue his development in the minors.
It will be interesting to see how the Padres will handle this file and especially, if they will manage to convince Bogaerts to leave his natural position to a young recruit like Merrill.
