http://www.metsblog.com/TheHotStoveReport/Padres

The Padres sent RHP Brian Lawrence to the Nationalsfor 3B Vinny Castilla...

...the buzz out of petco is that the team is quite happy with 2B Mark Loretta, and have no plans to move him this off-season...though few on the team are untouchable, says an executive with the padres...

...apparently, the team has talked about moving loretta to third base, to allow room for josh barfield at second, though most people with the team still feel barfield needs time in the minors...

...barfield hit .320 this last season at triple-a...

...the way i read it, this trade for castilla will allow loretta to start at second, while barfield starts at aaa...if castilla is a bust in petco, the padres can promote barfield and move loretta in for castilla...if castilla succeeds, the team crosses that bridge when the get there...

Hope all is well.

Keep up the great work at Gaslamp.

Matthew Cerrone
MetsBlog.com