Read on Twitter
After the recent transactions, the Padres have 41 players on their 40-man roster. Something's got to give. Either another trade is in the works or someone has to be DFA'd before these deals can all be announced. I'm gonna run through the candidates. A thread!
There are five players on the 40-man roster with no minor league options: Jorge Mateo, Greg Allen, Javy Guerra, Pierce Johnson, and Austin Adams. I don't see the team DFA'ing Johnson or Adams. That leaves Mateo, Allen, & Guerra.
Guerra showed enough promise in 2020 that they likely want to hold on to him to see what strides he makes this offseason. You don't just let a guy who throws 100+ with a nasty slider walk away. That leaves Mateo & Allen.
Mateo can play all around the field (SS/2B/CF/LF/RF) and has elite speed, so he's a utility glove and pinch runner at the very least. He's hitting .309/.373/.471 in the LIDOM, just well enough to earn a chance to win a job next spring. That leaves Greg Allen.
Greg Allen can play a pretty good centerfield and can handle the corners, but he's limited offensively with a career slash line of .239/.298/.343 and no reason to project more. He's an SDSU product with a connection to Tony Gwynn, but he's the most limited player here.
I can't help but suspect another trade is in the works, but if they decide to DFA anyone, the clear choice for me is Greg Allen. The recent signing of Brian O'Grady makes him even more expendable, but there's still room for a legit CF/4th OF to step in front of him. /end
