Scott Boras believes that Jeff Moorad will be more willing to spend money than his predecessor, John Moores.
“I think there's going to be a heavy Jeff Moorad footprint,” said Scott Boras, the most powerful of player agents.
The lack of productive drafts in recent years by the Padres has been a well documented topic. However, at least anecdotal, that failure can be connected to John Moores unwillingness to draft Boras clients. The most notable being the draft in which the Padres took Matt Bush instead of either Stephen Drew or Jered Weaver, both players that Padres scouts liked more than Bush, and both who were represented by Boras.
Matt Bush now has a warrant out for beating up high school kids in East County and is in the Toronto Blue Jays system while Drew and Weaver are productive major league players.
Boras also represents this years clear number one college player, SDSU pitcher Stephen Strasburg. While Strasburg is likely out of the picture for San Diego, Boras does represent more top of the line players in this draft than any other agent. With no Sandy Alderson or John Moores, Moorad and his team will have the chance to improve on the lackluster first-round picks of recent Padres history, that include: Ben Davis, Sean Burroughs, Mark Phillips, Tim Stauffer and Matt Bush. The Padres pick third this year.
Whether any of this comes true will not be known for some time but an early indication could be found in the Padres first round pick this year.
According to Boras, the difference in philosophy is a difference of money: “What is interesting about the philosophies is that Jeff's philosophy is, 'We're going to take the best available player and pay him appropriately because they have the best value.' In John's case, it was, 'We are only going to pay a particular amount of money, and let's find a player who will take it.'
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
A New Sheriff in Town
Things have been a little quiet for the most part on the Padres front. They are terrible in Spring Training (5-17), the U.S. was eliminated from the WBC (eventually won by Japan again in an extremely entertaining game), and the Padres starting rotation is still terrible (more on that in a moment).
However, off in the distant, far off on the horizon there lies a speck of light worth mentioning. Jeff Moorad is officially the new Padres CEO. This marks the first major step in the transfer of power from John Moores to Jeff Moorad. What this also means is that Sandy Alderson is officially out as the Padres CEO. I remember when Alderson came to San Diego and the excitement that I had for such a move. Afterall, Alderson had helped create the moneyball Oakland A's and they were ALWAYS in the playoffs. Of course, Alderson now leaves after the Padres suffered their worst season in nearly a decade, their worst season since Petco Park opened and a minor league system ranked dead last by Baseball America.
So, who is Jeff Moorad?
A graduate of UCLA with a law degree from Villanova, Jeff Moorad has 25 years of professional sports experience. He began as a player's agent with Steinberg and Moorad and later the Moorad Sports Management. He has represented players such as Will Clark, Steve Young, Shawn Green and Manny Ramirez. In 2005 he purchased an ownership share of the Arizona Diamondbacks which he must now sale before the the Padres deal can go through.
Much of the turmoil that the Padres faced coming off their 99 loss season was attributed to the uncertainty over the ownership of the Padres. With John and Becky Moores entangled in divorce preceedings, questions have surrounded the Padres for nearly a year. Today, if nothing else, it is clear who is now in charge of the San Diego Padres.
Now, about that pitching staff...it's bad. I'll do a full post on it but needless to say, the Padres are 10 days from opening day with no idea who their 4th and 5th starters are and only two arms in the bullpen that they have any confidence in (Cla Meredith and Heath Bell). At least the food is cheap this year at Petco.
However, off in the distant, far off on the horizon there lies a speck of light worth mentioning. Jeff Moorad is officially the new Padres CEO. This marks the first major step in the transfer of power from John Moores to Jeff Moorad. What this also means is that Sandy Alderson is officially out as the Padres CEO. I remember when Alderson came to San Diego and the excitement that I had for such a move. Afterall, Alderson had helped create the moneyball Oakland A's and they were ALWAYS in the playoffs. Of course, Alderson now leaves after the Padres suffered their worst season in nearly a decade, their worst season since Petco Park opened and a minor league system ranked dead last by Baseball America.
So, who is Jeff Moorad?
A graduate of UCLA with a law degree from Villanova, Jeff Moorad has 25 years of professional sports experience. He began as a player's agent with Steinberg and Moorad and later the Moorad Sports Management. He has represented players such as Will Clark, Steve Young, Shawn Green and Manny Ramirez. In 2005 he purchased an ownership share of the Arizona Diamondbacks which he must now sale before the the Padres deal can go through.
Much of the turmoil that the Padres faced coming off their 99 loss season was attributed to the uncertainty over the ownership of the Padres. With John and Becky Moores entangled in divorce preceedings, questions have surrounded the Padres for nearly a year. Today, if nothing else, it is clear who is now in charge of the San Diego Padres.
Now, about that pitching staff...it's bad. I'll do a full post on it but needless to say, the Padres are 10 days from opening day with no idea who their 4th and 5th starters are and only two arms in the bullpen that they have any confidence in (Cla Meredith and Heath Bell). At least the food is cheap this year at Petco.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Post-St. Patty's Day Post
So, for a few weeks now I have been touting the World Baseball Classic. I've argued it's legitimacy, it's place in the U.S. sports conscious, trying to get people excited for it as I was. Then, St. Patrick's Day hit and I missed, by far, the best game for the U.S. in the WBC since it's inception.
Fail.
The U.S. team, rebounding from an embarrassing 11-1 thumping came back to beat the Netherlands to survive. Then yesterday, in a second elimination game, the U.S. team, down 5-3 in the bottom of the 9th score 3 runs. 1 on a base on balls and than a 2 run single by David Wright to propel the U.S. team, left for dead less than a week ago, onto the semi-finals in Los Angeles. And I missed it.
Fail Again.
However, what this does mean is that the U.S. team plays on, granting all those who missed last nights heroics more opportunity to watch this team.
In other WBC news, Mexico was eliminated on Monday night. The bright side to that is of course, the Gonzalez brothers (Adrian and Edgar) will head back to Padres camp with Scott Hairston.
Now, onto some Padres news.
In the last post I mentioned how Kyle Banks was tearing up the Cactus League at first base while Adrian was away at the WBC. Currently, Banks is hitting a crisp .341 with 3 HR's and 9 RBI. But there is that small, Gold-Glove winning, All-Star in front of him at first who is not likely to be going anywhere soon. So, the question has been posed: What about moving Banks to the Outfield? Corey Brock, who blogs for the Padres at http://coreybrock.mlblogs.com/ asked Kevin Towers this.
Fail.
The U.S. team, rebounding from an embarrassing 11-1 thumping came back to beat the Netherlands to survive. Then yesterday, in a second elimination game, the U.S. team, down 5-3 in the bottom of the 9th score 3 runs. 1 on a base on balls and than a 2 run single by David Wright to propel the U.S. team, left for dead less than a week ago, onto the semi-finals in Los Angeles. And I missed it.
Fail Again.
However, what this does mean is that the U.S. team plays on, granting all those who missed last nights heroics more opportunity to watch this team.
In other WBC news, Mexico was eliminated on Monday night. The bright side to that is of course, the Gonzalez brothers (Adrian and Edgar) will head back to Padres camp with Scott Hairston.
Now, onto some Padres news.
In the last post I mentioned how Kyle Banks was tearing up the Cactus League at first base while Adrian was away at the WBC. Currently, Banks is hitting a crisp .341 with 3 HR's and 9 RBI. But there is that small, Gold-Glove winning, All-Star in front of him at first who is not likely to be going anywhere soon. So, the question has been posed: What about moving Banks to the Outfield? Corey Brock, who blogs for the Padres at http://coreybrock.mlblogs.com/ asked Kevin Towers this.
"Towers he doesn't want to mess with Blanks confidence right now by asking him to start taking fly balls in Arizona. If the Padres do opt to see how Blanks looks in the outfield then it would likely be once the Triple-A season begins in Portland."
However, Towers has said, to both Corey Brock and Tom Krasovic that Banks will start taking fly balls before games in AAA Portland. For those of you scoring at home, this would be 2 corner infielders the Padres have attempted to convert into outfielders, assuming taking fly balls before Beaver games is the first step in that conversion.
So there's that. Needless to say, Banks and his bat need to find their way into the lineup at some point this season.
Krasovic also reports in that same piece that Chris Young has been scratched from today's start in Peoria due to "elbow tendinitis." Young says its not a big deal, it happens every March when he begins introducing sliders and curve balls to his pitching repertoire.
Finally, one of the great sporting events in America begins tomorrow (technically it began on Tuesday). March Madness is upon us and nothing beats the opening weekend, with games on CBS from the time you wake up until bed. Fantastic. For those curious, here are some of my bracket picks:
- Final Four Teams: Louisville, Memphis, Pitt, Syracuse with Memphis winning the whole thing
- Arizona as a 12 seed heading to the Sweet Sixteen with wins over Utah and Wake Forest
- Purdue toppling UConn in the Sweet Sixteen
- VCU making a serious run to the Sweet Sixteen
- West Virgina taking down Michigan St. to advance to the Regional Finals
- Gonzaga takes out UNC
Enjoy the madness! Enjoy the WBC! Enjoy the green beer hangover!
However, Towers has said, to both Corey Brock and Tom Krasovic that Banks will start taking fly balls before games in AAA Portland. For those of you scoring at home, this would be 2 corner infielders the Padres have attempted to convert into outfielders, assuming taking fly balls before Beaver games is the first step in that conversion.
So there's that. Needless to say, Banks and his bat need to find their way into the lineup at some point this season.
Krasovic also reports in that same piece that Chris Young has been scratched from today's start in Peoria due to "elbow tendinitis." Young says its not a big deal, it happens every March when he begins introducing sliders and curve balls to his pitching repertoire.
Finally, one of the great sporting events in America begins tomorrow (technically it began on Tuesday). March Madness is upon us and nothing beats the opening weekend, with games on CBS from the time you wake up until bed. Fantastic. For those curious, here are some of my bracket picks:
- Final Four Teams: Louisville, Memphis, Pitt, Syracuse with Memphis winning the whole thing
- Arizona as a 12 seed heading to the Sweet Sixteen with wins over Utah and Wake Forest
- Purdue toppling UConn in the Sweet Sixteen
- VCU making a serious run to the Sweet Sixteen
- West Virgina taking down Michigan St. to advance to the Regional Finals
- Gonzaga takes out UNC
Enjoy the madness! Enjoy the WBC! Enjoy the green beer hangover!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Thoughts While Waiting for Selection Sunday
Mercy Rule.
11-1.
One game away from elimination in the second round. Again.
The U.S. team finds themselves in a position sadly familiar today. In the World Baseball Classic, the U.S. is one loss away from being eliminated again in the second round after being flat-out embarrassed by the Puerto Rico team last night. Jake Peavy gave up 6 runs in the first two innings.
Said Peavy: ""I take full responsibility for the boys' loss." "Nothing was working. Just a tough night."
Ultimately, the U.S. team was mercy ruled in the 7th inning after falling behind by 10 runs. Roy Oswalt will take the mound today against the Netherlands to help avoid a fate that this U.S. team promised they would not suffer. Elimination in the second round of the WBC.
In Other News
Josh Geer had another nice start against Milwaukee on Thursday. Geer, who is primed to be the 4th/5th starter for San Diego this year, threw three hitless innings against the Brewers in Spring Training.
With Adrian Gonzalez playing in the World Baseball Classic, the Padres have had a chance to get an extended look at first basemen of the future Kyle Banks. Crushing a three-run shot, Banks has provided fans with an optimistic look toward the future.
Matt Antonelli is taking a page out of the Tony Gwynn School of Hitting nad has turned to videotape to help his swing. After slumping last year in AAA Portland to an average of .215, Antonelli began watching tape to fix a swing that, to that point, had never betrayed him.
Chase Headley continues to impress in spring. Perhaps knowing he will be the Opening Day starter will help in Headley reaching the potential of the Padres best prospect.
That's all for now. Enjoy the WBC and Selection Sunday. And follow me on Twitter at LeftCoastBias!
11-1.
One game away from elimination in the second round. Again.
The U.S. team finds themselves in a position sadly familiar today. In the World Baseball Classic, the U.S. is one loss away from being eliminated again in the second round after being flat-out embarrassed by the Puerto Rico team last night. Jake Peavy gave up 6 runs in the first two innings.
Said Peavy: ""I take full responsibility for the boys' loss." "Nothing was working. Just a tough night."
Ultimately, the U.S. team was mercy ruled in the 7th inning after falling behind by 10 runs. Roy Oswalt will take the mound today against the Netherlands to help avoid a fate that this U.S. team promised they would not suffer. Elimination in the second round of the WBC.
In Other News
Josh Geer had another nice start against Milwaukee on Thursday. Geer, who is primed to be the 4th/5th starter for San Diego this year, threw three hitless innings against the Brewers in Spring Training.
With Adrian Gonzalez playing in the World Baseball Classic, the Padres have had a chance to get an extended look at first basemen of the future Kyle Banks. Crushing a three-run shot, Banks has provided fans with an optimistic look toward the future.
Matt Antonelli is taking a page out of the Tony Gwynn School of Hitting nad has turned to videotape to help his swing. After slumping last year in AAA Portland to an average of .215, Antonelli began watching tape to fix a swing that, to that point, had never betrayed him.
Chase Headley continues to impress in spring. Perhaps knowing he will be the Opening Day starter will help in Headley reaching the potential of the Padres best prospect.
That's all for now. Enjoy the WBC and Selection Sunday. And follow me on Twitter at LeftCoastBias!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Left Coast Bias Re-Boot
Trevor Hoffman was scheduled to pitch against the Padres today in Spring Training. Such an event made me think "you know, I haven't had a blog post since last summer." What can I say, law school, getting engaged, brand new HDTV, all of these things distracted me here.
So, here we are. The return of Left Coast Bias. For those of you who can't get enough Padres blogging, the blogs I check everyday are Gaslampball.com and Ducksnorts.com. I recommend them both.
Before we get started, realize I have no sources, no inside track to anything. This is merely the ramblings of a fan of the San Diego Padres. Those ramblings likely will devolve into madness as the season progress's and I begin studying for the bar exam.
Second, as I just said, I will begin studying for the bar. So this may not be so regular in the updates.
Finally, here are 10 updates since last we talked.
1) Brian Giles did not get traded;
2) He might have beat his girlfriend though;
3) Trevor Hoffman was outright released and signed by the Milwaukee Brewers. The divorce was ugly, and as usual, the kids were hurt the most;
4) Matt Vasgersian left the Padres to become the host of the MLB Network;
5) David Eckstein is the new second baseman;
6) Khalil Greene is a St. Louis Cardinal;
7) John Moores sold the team to Jeff Moorad;
8) Jake Peavy was almost traded to the Cubs, Mets, Dodgers, and Braves (yet remains a Padre, for now);
9) Former number one pick Matt Bush got drunk, insulsted most of East County, was arrested and is now a Toronto Blue Jay;
10) All kinds of new, cheap food deals at Petco this year. We will get to more of that in a future post;
11) BONUS: Sandy Alderson is likely gone as soon as the Moore to Moorad deal is done.
So, what is their to expect of this year? The Giants look better, the Dodgers have Manny, the Padres are operating at about $40 million. But, it's spring and hope springs eternal in March. But we are back, ready for another Padres season!
Oh, and two Padres are on the U.S. World Baseball Classic team. Jake Peavy and Heath Bell. But they aren't the only Padres out their. Adrian Gonzalez is raking for the Mexican team with fellow Padre Scott Hairston. Henri Blanco is on the Venezuela team and threw out Derek Jeter the other day. And lots of good baseball going on, I highly recommend checking out the WBC.
So, here we are. The return of Left Coast Bias. For those of you who can't get enough Padres blogging, the blogs I check everyday are Gaslampball.com and Ducksnorts.com. I recommend them both.
Before we get started, realize I have no sources, no inside track to anything. This is merely the ramblings of a fan of the San Diego Padres. Those ramblings likely will devolve into madness as the season progress's and I begin studying for the bar exam.
Second, as I just said, I will begin studying for the bar. So this may not be so regular in the updates.
Finally, here are 10 updates since last we talked.
1) Brian Giles did not get traded;
2) He might have beat his girlfriend though;
3) Trevor Hoffman was outright released and signed by the Milwaukee Brewers. The divorce was ugly, and as usual, the kids were hurt the most;
4) Matt Vasgersian left the Padres to become the host of the MLB Network;
5) David Eckstein is the new second baseman;
6) Khalil Greene is a St. Louis Cardinal;
7) John Moores sold the team to Jeff Moorad;
8) Jake Peavy was almost traded to the Cubs, Mets, Dodgers, and Braves (yet remains a Padre, for now);
9) Former number one pick Matt Bush got drunk, insulsted most of East County, was arrested and is now a Toronto Blue Jay;
10) All kinds of new, cheap food deals at Petco this year. We will get to more of that in a future post;
11) BONUS: Sandy Alderson is likely gone as soon as the Moore to Moorad deal is done.
So, what is their to expect of this year? The Giants look better, the Dodgers have Manny, the Padres are operating at about $40 million. But, it's spring and hope springs eternal in March. But we are back, ready for another Padres season!
Oh, and two Padres are on the U.S. World Baseball Classic team. Jake Peavy and Heath Bell. But they aren't the only Padres out their. Adrian Gonzalez is raking for the Mexican team with fellow Padre Scott Hairston. Henri Blanco is on the Venezuela team and threw out Derek Jeter the other day. And lots of good baseball going on, I highly recommend checking out the WBC.
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