Here we are. The day when hearts flutter and excitment fills the air. No, not Valentine's Day, it's Pitchers and Catchers day. Yes, the official start to Spring Training for the Padres begins this Thursday February 14th as pitchers and catchers report to Peoria, AZ. So, with Spring right around the corner, where do the Padres stand? Let's take a look:
- The most notable move recently has been the 2-year deal reached with Khalil Greene. The deal is worth $11 million and avoids arbitration. What it didn't do was lock him down for a long-term deal. Ultimately, Greene took less than he was asking and if his production continues to increase one can only assume that this is the final two years of Greene as a Padre. Some scoffed at the idea of giving Greene even that much, considering is below average On Base Percentage and Batting Average. What those people forget is that on a Padre team somewhat void of a true power threat, Greene provides one of the few run producing options. And I don't think there is a price tag for the defense he provides for the Padres.
- The Padres likely made Chris Young very happy by coming to an agreement with Arizona Diamondback pinch-hitter/1B Tony Clark. A 1 - year deal worth $900K will bring Clark to San Diego to spell Adrian at first. The past two years we've watched Clark KILL the Padres, especially Young. It'll be nice to have him on our side finally.
- Left Field...There is no great answer to this. The Padres this year went after Geoff Jenkins, Jason Bay and Milton Bradley in attempts to find a replacement. Nothing worked out. Currently the Padres are looking at starting Scott Hairston in Left. Hairsont many will remember from last year's playoff push when Hairston had 8 homeruns in one month, 7 of which tied or gave the Padres the lead after the 7th inning. That's a pretty small sample size however. The other option is Chase Headley, the Padres Minor League Player of the Year...at third. If he can make the move it wouldn't surprise me to see Headley in Left by July. His suspect glove gives me some pause though.
- What is not, and should not, be an option for Left is Barry Bonds. This idea gets tossed around every few days. Bonds has yet to be signed by a team as a free agent and the obvious need in San Diego for a left-fielder is palpable. However, Bonds is a cancer, hated in San Diego (the town that threw a syringe at him!) and is a shell of the fielder he once was. Taken aside the obvious reaons (BALCO! BALCO! BALCO!) Bonds can't cover Petco Park's spacious outfield. Oh, and also, there's a decent shot Bonds will be in jail before the season is up. This couldn't be a worst move for a franchise built on defense and clubhouse harmony.
That's all for now. Spring Training is right around the corner and something tells me Kevin Towers hasn't made his last move!
Showing posts with label petco. Show all posts
Showing posts with label petco. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Live from FriarFest!!!!!
Hello there!
It's been a long off-season...and well, it continues. But have no fear, we have plenty to talk about. Since last we spoke, the Padres lost out on Fukudome to the Cubs despite a $11 million offer per season. The Padres did sign Jim Edmonds to replace Mike Cameron in center field. Personally, I like the move. He wasn't brought here to knock the ball all over the yard but for his glove, which is still one of the top 10 in the Majors.
A slightly quieter move was bringing Mark Prior to San Diego. As you may or may not know, Prior was a wunderkid of sorts in Chicago before multiple injuries derailed a once promising career. The Padres got him for cheap and for 1 year. While Prior won't be ready to go until about May/June, if he is half the pitcher he can be, Prior is a steal.
Finally, it was announced this week that the Padres and Dodgers would be playing two exhibition games in China. This will mark the first Major League game to be played in China and is designed to enhance baseball in the Asian country ahead of the '08 Olympics, the last to feature baseball.
Now on to FriarFest. This weekend was a bit wet, but that didn't keep fans from coming out to Petco. Here are some pics! (Note: some of the locker room pics are a bit dark...um...sorry).
Hoffman's Locker
Prior's Locker
Peavy's Locker
Mark Prior
Me in Dugout
Chris Young
At the Wall!
Friar Baby, Friar!
It's been a long off-season...and well, it continues. But have no fear, we have plenty to talk about. Since last we spoke, the Padres lost out on Fukudome to the Cubs despite a $11 million offer per season. The Padres did sign Jim Edmonds to replace Mike Cameron in center field. Personally, I like the move. He wasn't brought here to knock the ball all over the yard but for his glove, which is still one of the top 10 in the Majors.
A slightly quieter move was bringing Mark Prior to San Diego. As you may or may not know, Prior was a wunderkid of sorts in Chicago before multiple injuries derailed a once promising career. The Padres got him for cheap and for 1 year. While Prior won't be ready to go until about May/June, if he is half the pitcher he can be, Prior is a steal.
Finally, it was announced this week that the Padres and Dodgers would be playing two exhibition games in China. This will mark the first Major League game to be played in China and is designed to enhance baseball in the Asian country ahead of the '08 Olympics, the last to feature baseball.
Now on to FriarFest. This weekend was a bit wet, but that didn't keep fans from coming out to Petco. Here are some pics! (Note: some of the locker room pics are a bit dark...um...sorry).
Hoffman's Locker
Prior's Locker
Peavy's Locker
Mark Prior
Me in Dugout
Chris Young
At the Wall!
Friar Baby, Friar! 
Thursday, August 2, 2007
OUT OF TOWN THIS WEEKEND
Just to let everyone know, I will be out of town this weekend so no updates until next Tuesday. By then:
- Barry Bonds MAY have hit number 756 in Petco.
- ARod MAY be a member of the 500 HR club.
- And with any luck, the Padres MAY still be in the race.
Heartbreaking game last night as the Padres scored 4 in the bottom of the 9th (thanks to a 2 run HR by Milton Bradley) only to blow it two innings later with Heath Bell giving up 4 runs. The Padres slide to 3rd in the NL West, 2.5 games back.
Clay Hensley will get another shot to make the rotation as Bud Black revealed today that Hensley will start on Saturday.
Tim Stauffer was sent down to Portland with Will Ledzema and Jose Cruz Jr. was outright released to make room for the Padres recent additions.
Jake Peavy goes to the mound today with a lot of pressure on his shoulders. The Padres need a win and Peavy is the stopper for this club. In 2005, when the Padres went 82-80 it was Peavy's starts that became must win due to the inability of the team to win with anyone else starting. For now, we are in the same boat. Must win with Peavy.
See you on Tuesday! Keep the Friar Faith!
- Barry Bonds MAY have hit number 756 in Petco.
- ARod MAY be a member of the 500 HR club.
- And with any luck, the Padres MAY still be in the race.
Heartbreaking game last night as the Padres scored 4 in the bottom of the 9th (thanks to a 2 run HR by Milton Bradley) only to blow it two innings later with Heath Bell giving up 4 runs. The Padres slide to 3rd in the NL West, 2.5 games back.
Clay Hensley will get another shot to make the rotation as Bud Black revealed today that Hensley will start on Saturday.
Tim Stauffer was sent down to Portland with Will Ledzema and Jose Cruz Jr. was outright released to make room for the Padres recent additions.
Jake Peavy goes to the mound today with a lot of pressure on his shoulders. The Padres need a win and Peavy is the stopper for this club. In 2005, when the Padres went 82-80 it was Peavy's starts that became must win due to the inability of the team to win with anyone else starting. For now, we are in the same boat. Must win with Peavy.
See you on Tuesday! Keep the Friar Faith!
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