San Diego Padres

11/4/06.. Report Card.. RoxHead
2005 Full Season Grade: B+
We thought the Pods would win 83 games in 2006. We were off by 5 as they won 88 and finished in first place in the division. San Diego also finished the regular season with a slightly better record on the road (45-36) than at home (43-38). They were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the eventual World Champions, St. Louis Cardinals. As a reward for winning the title for two years running, management told Bruce Bochy that he is welcomed to look elsewhere for work. He said "Okay", and jumped ship to the Giants. Not so bright on the part of the Padres front office. Bochy has been the best thing attached to that team since he was hired and will be sorely missed in 2007.

In 2006, the Pods struggled thru some tough stretches with injuries and poor performances, however, they also found a firstbaseman for the next 10 years in Adrian Gonzalez and a young stud starter in Chris Young to team up with veteran Jake Peavy.. Trevor Hoffman returned to glory by leading the league in saves while Mike Cameron was a perfect fit in center by winning a Gold Glove.

In the free agent frenzy this winter, the team is concentrating on trading for or signing a high quality thirdbaseman, a left fielder and a additional starter. They also need to rebuild the coaching staff pretty much from the bottom up.

5/12/06.. Report Card... RoxHead
Mid Season Grade: B
After starting the season horribly, the Pods have rebounded quite nicely. They have won 12 out of 13 and nothing seems to be ailing or halting the Padres' offense, which has come alive. Right-hander Chan Ho Park, in the final year of a five-year, $65 million contract, has thrown 15 scoreless innings in his last two starts has also been at the forefront of this surge.

You have to wonder how long they can keep going because realistically their pitching isn't that good. To make matters worse it took a bit of a jolt when starter Woody Williams got hurt running the bases (sounds like a Rockie infliction). If the pitching can hold up, then look for them to continue playing well beating up on a struggling Chicago, Arizona and Seattle team then slowing down a bit with Atlanta and St Louis looming a week later.

Rox Head.com 2006 opening statement
This winter the Padres GM Kevin Towers moved the pieces around on his sunny southern California board like an insane chess player. The frenzied activity probably improved the offense and defense a tad with the addition of Mike Cameron in center, Vinny Castilla at third and catcher Mike Piazza.

Mirabelli but then Towers degraded the bullpen and starting pitching by dumping Adam Eaton, Brian Lawrence, Akinori Otsuka Chris Hammond and Rudy Seanez. It says here somewhere in GM 101 that baseball is still controlled by pitching even in these modern times and when you regress in those areas, then you are asking for trouble down the line especially when you have Chris Young and Woody Williams as your Nos. 2 and 3 starters.

The players finally got over their discus of Petco Park in 2005 to a certain degree and actually began playing better there. Has-been, Ryan Klesco, is being moved back to first where he'll platoon with Mike Piazza when he isn't catching. The best moves were the simplest and most sensible which was re-signing Trevor Hoffman and Brian Giles.

These moves, in addition to the multitude of others, should help keep the Pods over .500 in 2006, but will it be enough to keep them in the divisional race with the Giants and the Dodgers? Nope... Rox Head.com is thinking that if Brian Bochey, Towers and the Padres win 85 games, then they should thank the baseball Gods.

Prediction:Look for the Padres to fall to third in west with a record of 83-79.

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2005 Full Season Grade: B

The Padres held off both Arizona and San Francisco to win the western division in 2005 with the lowest winning percentage by any team ever to qualify for the post season. The team then went on to the playoffs where they were swept in three games and totally outclassed in every way by the Cardinals.

This offense needs some power infusion. They only had 130 homers with no player over 20. They were also outscored by 42 runs for the season. The pitching was only marginally better with only two starters having double digit wins (Peavy and Eaton). The star and savior of the team was Trevor Hoffman, who converted 43 of 46 saves.

The news coming out of the team is that Hoffman, among a few others, will not be re-signed which doesn't bode well for 2006.

Mid Season Grade: B+

The Padre starting pitching -- notably Jake Peavy (7-3, 3.14 ERA), Adam Eaton (9-2, 3.42, but currently on the DL) and relievers Chris Hammond (5-0, 1.87) and Trevor Hoffman (25 saves) -- make this team go (a team ERA of 4.00, good for 7th in the League). The offense with Brian Giles, Ryan Klesco and a surprising contribitor in Mark Sweeney (.294, six homers, a .935 OPS) is better than most realize.

If they played all their games at night when they are 40-16, then they'd be alright. However since they don't, we find the only reason the Padres are in first is because they play in the NL West, baseball's worst division. San Diego followed up a 22-6 May by going 15-22 the rest of the way -- and the Padres gained ground. Last weekend, they earned the dubious distinction of being on the wrong end of the first 1-0 game in Coors Field history.

No moves seem likely before the trade deadline, but that's probably okay in this division.

Preseason Prediction:

The Padres have possibly the best all around team in the division. Not only do they have an excellent skipper in Bochy, but their everyday starting lineup is sound with speed and power. This will be their second year at the pet store so you'd expect the players, especially the hitters, to be better adjusted to the park. The stadium is pitcher friendly so any competent group will do fine. They will battle with the Giants for the division title all season and probably win close to 90 games for a slight improvement over last years record.

12/4/06
The Padres are waiting to hear whether infielder Todd Walker accepts their offer of salary arbitration before moving forward with other second-base possibilities.

If Walker accepts arbitration, he likely will be the Padres' second baseman next season. If he rejects the offer, the Padres could turn to a free agent, such as Tony Graffinino or Ron Belliard or revisit trade discussions for the Braves' Marcus Giles. FOXSports.com

12/1/06
The Padres will not include right-hander Jake Peavy in a trade for Red Sox left fielder Manny Ramirez, according to a source with knowledge of the discussions.

11/30/06
A report in the San Jose Mercury News said the Padres will talk to the agent of free-agent second baseman Ray Durham at the Winter Meetings about their opening at the position. Durham reportedly wants two years and $18 million. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that the Giants and Orioles have interest in free agent first baseman/outfielder Ryan Klesko.

11/28/06
San Diego Union-Tribune: "Yesterday they bid more than $10 million for the right to negotiate with Japanese pitcher Kei Igawa, came to a preliminary agreement on a two-year deal with second baseman Craig Counsell, all but bid adieu to left fielder Dave Roberts and looked into trading for Red Sox left fielder Manny Ramirez."

11/17/06
San Jose Mercury News: " According to an MLB.com report, A's General Manager Billy Beane has spoken with agent Jeff Borris about Barry Bonds, but it's unlikely the club can afford him. The report also quoted San Diego Padres owner John Moores as saying that Bonds had been the subject of an internal discussion."

11/4/06
San Diego Union-Tribune: "Awarded a Gold Glove yesterday, Padres center fielder Mike Cameron knows who the perfect catch would be in the club's managerial search. 'This is my opportunity to vouch for Dusty Baker,' an excited Cameron told San Diego reporters."
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Among the Padres' possibilities at third, free agent Aramis Ramirez might be too expensive, Japanese third baseman Akinori Iwamura could go to a higher bidder and the White Sox's Joe Crede and the Astros' Morgan Ensberg might be out of reach in trades. FOXSports.com

10/13/06
Chicago Sun-Times: "Sources say the Cubs will seek permission from the San Diego Padres to interview manager Bruce Bochy, who has one year left on his contract. And sources in San Diego indicate the Padres' answer this time will be yes... Sources say the Padres also would grant permission for the Giants to interview Bochy."
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Look for the Padres to pursue infielder Craig Counsell in free agency. Counsell, 36, could platoon with Geoff Blum at third and bat leadoff if outfielder Dave Roberts departs as a free agent. Brian Giles, whose slugging percentage declined from .483 in 2005 to .397 in '06, is another leadoff possibility; the Padres also could move him to left if they acquire a big bat in right field. The Padres are almost certain to pick up Russell Branyan's $1 million option regardless of whether they sign Counsell or add another third baseman. At worst, Branyan could fill a backup role.

Outfielder Luis Gonzalez is expected to draw interest from the Cardinals as a free agent, but his preference might be to stay in the NL West, where he would get frequent opportunities to show the Diamondbacks that they made a mistake by declining to exercise his option. The Padres probably would be the best fit among the NL West teams FOXSports.com

10/11/06
Rocky: "San Diego president Sandy Alderson would like to bring in his own people, but with the Padres winning back-to-back NL West titles, it is difficult for him to get rid of the long-time management duo of general manager Kevin Towers and manager Bruce Bochy... And it�s why the Padres have let it be known that if the Cubs or Giants want to talk to Bochy about their managerial vacancies, they will be given the chance."

9/28/06
The Pads, by any objective standard, haven't been the most successful of organizations, but times are changing. They've already locked up a third consecutive winning season for the first time in franchise history, and they're probably headed to a second straight postseason - wait for it - for the first time in franchise history. Throw in the fact that closer Trevor Hoffman recently became the all-time saves leader, and you've got a season to remember in S.D. FOXSports.com

9/23/06
San Francisco Chronicle: "Equally absurd: the rumor suggesting Barry Zito would go to San Diego because former A's employees Sandy Alderson, Grady Fuson and Paul DePodesta work there. What does that have to do with anything? Zito is about the big time, night life, cosmopolitan living, high celebrity. It's either New York or L.A. for him, with four very nice options to consider."

9/21/06
San Diego Union-Tribune: "Hopeful of appearing as a pinch hitter, Klesko, 35, said he's uncertain if he will play next season. "This could be it, it definitely could be it - if I don't feel my body's up to it, he said. It's doubtful that the Padres will bring back Klesko, who has a $500,000 option on an $8 million contract for 2007."

9/19/06
The Padres want catcher Mike Piazza to return, but Piazza, 38, likely will explore free-agent options as a designated hitter. Piazza also might choose to delay any decision on the Padres until he is certain that general manager Kevin Towers and manager Bruce Bochy will remain with the club. FOXSports.com

9/9/06
San Diego Union-Tribune: "Russell Branyan has taken over as the regular third baseman since General Manager Kevin Towers acquired him on Aug. 24, and Towers said Branyan, 30, could induce the club to pick up a $1 million option on him for 2007. "

9/8/06
Imagine a 2007 Padres' rotation featuring twin aces, right-hander Jake Peavy and left-hander Barry Zito. The Padres can. The consensus around baseball is that Zito will land with either one of the New York teams or the Dodgers as a free agent. The Padres, though, will try to lure the A's left-hander back to his hometown of San Diego, major-league sources tell FOXSports.com.

The team's interest is not surprising: Three Padres' executives - CEO Sandy Alderson and special assistants Paul DePodesta and Grady Fuson - trace their roots to the A's organization. Fuson was the A's scouting director when the team selected Zito with the ninth overall pick of the 1999 draft. DePodesta joined the A's that year as an assistant GM.

The Padres' problem in trying to land Zito is that his agent, Scott Boras, will frown upon the famed "San Diego discount," in which players take less money to play for the Padres. Closer Trevor Hoffman and outfielder Brian Giles agreed to such deals to return to the Padres as free agents last off-season. Boras, however, almost always seeks market value for his free-agent clients - and Zito is perhaps the most coveted starting pitcher in this year's class.

The Padres will gain approximately $23 million in flexibility when they shed the contracts of right-hander Chan Ho Park and outfielder Ryan Klesko this off-season - and that number could increase if they decline to re-sign free agents such as right-hander Woody Williams, catcher Mike Piazza and outfielder Dave Roberts. The team, however, would need to replace some of those players. It also wants to upgrade at third base, and a trade for the Mariners' expensive Adrian Beltre could be one possibility.

Zito grew up rooting for the Padres, but the Mets, in particular, are likely to intrigue him; he had a good relationship with their pitching coach, Rick Peterson, when Peterson was with the A's. Peterson's skill was evident Wednesday night, when three castoffs from other clubs - left-handed starters Dave Williams and Oliver Perez and right-handed reliever Guillermo Mota - helped the Mets allow just one run in a double-header sweep of the Braves. FOXSports.com

825/06
The Padres acquired third baseman Russell Branyan from the Devil Rays on Thursday for Class A right-hander Evan Meek. Branyan, 30, could play third base, with Todd Walker, second against right-handers, giving the Padres a more imposing left-handed lineup.

Second baseman Josh Barfield, a right-handed hitter, sports a .904 on-base/slugging percentage against left-handers but only a .675 OPS against righties.

Branyan, who has struck out once every 2.48 at-bats in his career, is a hit-or-miss proposition - he had 12 homers in 168 at-bats but only a .288 on-base percentage for the Devil Rays.

The Padres will assume Branyan's $1 million option for next season, giving them a fallback position if they fail to acquire a superior third baseman. FOXSports.com

8/17/06
San Diego Union-Tribune: "Speaking on the Padres' flagship radio station 1090-AM, Alderson addressed conspiracy theorists who speculate that Towers and manager Bruce Bochy, who are each guaranteed more than $1 million in 2007, are being set up to fail so that Alderson is more apt to get rid of them."

8/11/06
SAN DIEGO wanted to move right-hander Chan Ho Park and what�s left of his $15 million salary, but the market evaporated when Park developed anemia and needed a blood transfusion. First baseman Ryan Klesko is coming back from shoulder surgery but has no place to play with the emergence of Adrian Gonzalez, who is a long-term fit. Rocky

8/6/06
The Mets offered left-hander Oliver Perez and right-hander Heath Bell to the Padres for right-handed setup man Scott Linebrink 45 minutes before the non-waiver deadline.

The Padres, though, never seriously considered the deal, believing it would compromise their club too severely for the final two months of the season.

Don't be surprised if the teams revisit the discussions in the off-season. The Padres still like Perez, whom they traded to the Pirates with outfielder Jason Bay for outfielder Brian Giles. FOXSports.com

8/1/06
San Diego Union-Tribune: "Towers might resume the search for a third baseman in August, and again in the offseason. He said long-range plans still include Paul McAnulty, a Triple-A first baseman/left fielder who has seen time at third this year."

7/25/06
The Padres' trade for right-handed reliever Scott Williamson gave them the depth necessary to move Scott Linebrink, who is coveted by the Braves, Astros and several other clubs. However, the deal also improved a bullpen that already was the best in the NL West, enabling the Padres to recreate the advantage that helped them win the division last season. Thus, the Padres' next step could be to abandon their pursuit of a third baseman and further upgrade their pitching by adding a starter, possibly Maddux.

The third-base market is thin; the Astros' Morgan Ensberg remains on the disabled list and the Braves' Wilson Betemit might not be available if Chipper Jones misses significant time with an oblique strain. The Padres, though, should jump if the Braves offer Betemit, an emerging player who still is only 25, for Linebrink, a reliever who has been less effective this season than he was last season. Betemit would complete a young Padres' infield that includes first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, 24, second baseman Josh Barfield, 23, and shortstop Khalil Greene, 26. Linebrink, 29, would be the Braves' future closer; Bob Wickman, acquired last week from the Indians, is a free agent at the end of the season. FOXSports.com

7/23/06
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: "With former Marlins prospect Adrian Gonzalez now entrenched at first base, look for the Padres to shop Ryan Klesko once he returns from left shoulder surgery. "
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It is doubtful the Padres could meet the Mariners' price for third baseman Adrian Beltre if the M's fell out of contention and began listening to offers, major-league sources say. Beltre, though, could be a hot commodity this off-season; in addition to the Padres, the Phillies could be interested in acquiring him in a trade. FOXSports.com

7/16/06
Toronto Sun: "Padres general manager Kevin Towers has as many as 15 teams calling for set-up man Scott Linebrink. They have talked to the Indians about third base prospect Andy Marte. They have looked at either Corey Koskie or Billy Hall of the Brewers and are hoping that the Cubs decide to move Aramis Ramirez. They have talked to the Braves about Wilson Betemit too. The Jays should be in the chase for Linebrink, who is 6-2 with a 2.68 earned run average, or ex-Jay Scotty Cassidy (5-4, 2.79), who the Padres just demoted and have to deal."

7/11/06
San Diego Union-Tribune: "The Padres are looking to trade Ryan Klesko in August, and to trade for a third baseman and possibly a relief pitcher later this month, General Manager Kevin Towers said yesterday... Among the third basemen the Padres have shown interest in are the Brewers' Billy Hall and Corey Koskie, the Braves' Wilson Betemit and Indians Triple-A prospect Andy Marte. "

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