Odds and Ends

by jbox on Nov 30, 2006 9:49 AM PST in News Comment 19 comments

Sandy Alderson blasts the Cubs:
"There are a couple contracts out there that would suggest history is repeating,'' Alderson told SI.com. "It's hard for me to understand how you can justify $136 million for a player of Soriano's caliber. I don't know what justifies that contract, other than a lousy won-loss record over the last several years.''

Alderson said, "Even the sale wouldn't justify it. If anyone's interested in the Cubs, they are buying a brand. They aren't buying the composition of specific players on the field. The Cubs are a brand, like the Red Sox or Yankees.
Alderson said his Padres came into the market with significant money to spend and that they were targeting outfielders and a third baseman, but that "in some of these cases, we couldn't even get agents to call us back.''
If they had, they weren't going to hear eight-figure contract offers, anyway. Now Alderson and his baseball people are taking time to reevaluate things. "We still have a mandate to improve the team. It does no good to grouse about the circumstances,'' Alderson said. "We still have to figure a way to improve the team within the marketplace that exists. In some cases it might be the best course of action to see what shakes out over the next week or ten days.''

I have a vague memory of over hearing a conversation last week. It might have been during Thanksgiving, somebody asked "Did you go to Anthony Gwynn's wedding?" Later in the week, I was wondering if I'm just remembering it from dream, since the details of the conversation are so sketchy in my head. Well, that and I'm always dreaming about Padres Weddings. In any case, I kept meaning to look it up to see if it was a dream or reality. He was married in La Jolla on November 18th, Tony mentioned it in his interview on 1090.
Here's a review from somebody on myspace:

went to tony gwynn sons wedding last night, i was in HEAVEN with all the fine athletes there, not to mention got to meet tony sr. the kind of reception i wish you were at...crazy!
I'm only going to say this once, actually I'll probably say it over and over. Do NOT trade Adrian Gonzalez under any circumstances.
A club official didn't respond when asked to comment on a report that the Padres have offered pitcher Jake Peavy and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez - sought by Boston when he was a member of the Rangers - as part of a package for Ramirez.
Seriously what are the Giants trying to do? Rebuild the Padres circa 2003? Is this their game plan? Bochy, Flannery, Roberts, Loretta, Klesko...
Former Padres first baseman/left fielder Ryan Klesko, who is a free agent, is drawing interest from the Orioles and Giants.
Snubbed Pujols says MVP should be on playoff team.

"I see it this way: Someone who doesn't take his team to the playoffs doesn't deserve to win the MVP," Pujols said in Spanish at a news conference organized by the Dominican Republic's sports ministry.

I retort: I see it this way, Pujols is a sore loser and a big baby. Seriously shut up and enjoy your world championship. What's with all the poor sportsmanship?
First A.C. Slater is suing "Dancing with the Stars" because he thinks he is a better dancer then Emmitt Smith and now this. BTW, want some juicy gossip? A.C. bedded down his fiance, his dancing partner, Emmitt's dancing partner and Eva Longoria during the show. But no he wants some cheap trophy, even though he's won far more then a guy from "Saved by the Bell" ever should.

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Re: Pujols

Well, he did deserve to win a great deal more than Howard did. Not only did his team go to the playoffs (which doesn't matter to me), he was flat out better than Howard.

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by Richard Wade on Nov 30, 2006 10:13 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I agree

Pujols deserved the award.

by jbox on Nov 30, 2006 10:19 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Although I agree it comes off as a little whiny, I don't think he was taking a shot at Howard. They are actually friendly (Howard is from STL) and they train together in the off season. I think he was stating a general preference...and probably feels burned because that argument was used against him in 2003 when Bonds won it. So, when it's his turn to go against someone who didn't make it to the post season, he probably felt it was his turn.

I see it as more of a slam on the voting process than Howard personally.

And even though I don't really agree with him saying something here, I do think it's kind of refreshing to see a star athlete be this candid. I like this better than someone given the standard PC, canned answer.

Make no doubt about it though, Pujols is cocky. Not Bonds cocky...but he is cocky. cocky....hehehehe

by thenerdhater on Nov 30, 2006 1:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'll tell you what

we need to stop this stupid voting and get computers and/or robots to tell who is the best. Like the BCS only more confusing, that ought to do the trick.

by jbox on Nov 30, 2006 1:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

No way dude

We're already too close to SkyNet. We can't give them baseball.

If computers ran baseball, no way they'd let a fatty like Gwynn near a uniform.

by thenerdhater on Nov 30, 2006 1:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Fatty like Gwynn

Wouldn't computers that focus on numbers be more likely to promote a guy in spite of hit fatness?

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by Richard Wade on Nov 30, 2006 2:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I say

we have Richard do it.

"...first the shit must always hit the (hard core) fan." - Nico, AN

by ABY on Nov 30, 2006 3:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I bet

Khalil could crunch those numbers too.

by jbox on Nov 30, 2006 3:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes!

"...first the shit must always hit the (hard core) fan." - Nico, AN

by ABY on Nov 30, 2006 3:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Pujols is so dumb

The Phillies won more games than the Cardinals did.

by Bryan on Nov 30, 2006 10:18 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

It's too bad...

Just coz you think it's true doesn't mean you gotta rub everyone's nose in it. Seems like it is just a matter of time before these guys let their money, fame and talent pad their egos. Shame, pujols was a good story there for a while...

"...first the shit must always hit the (hard core) fan." - Nico, AN

by ABY on Nov 30, 2006 10:21 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Gonzo / Peavy

If we trade possibly our two best young players who give 110% every day for some slacker crybaby who'll just want a trade mid way through the year than I am seriously gonna start an F'ing riot. Just the thought of this trade pisses me off. Hopefully it's all a song and dance to raise the bidding beyond what the Dodgers would be willing to offer.
I'll start the war cry now.

JUST SAY NO TO MANNY!!!!!!!!!!

by jburtrum1 on Nov 30, 2006 10:46 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

There is nothing to that at all

Interviews with Alderson on 1090 last night and Towers this morning debunked this one.

You guys really gotta stop believing these National Enquirer quality rumors!! ;->

Christina

by Christina on Nov 30, 2006 11:20 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Whew!

Good news. I must have just missed the Alderson interview last night. I heard he was coming on the air at the top of the hour, but had to get out of my car.

by jbox on Nov 30, 2006 11:48 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Question prompted by listening to 1090 just now

Darren Smith is on by himself today (which I kinda prefer!) and he started off on the Padres. He may be at the Season Ticket event tonight.
Anyway, in his opinion the Padres biggest problem isn't a lack of money or even willingness to spend it, it is our inferior minor league system. Which he put squarely on the shoulders of the GM. He pointed out how we lose trade opportunities, or end up having to give up someone already up in the majors because our talent pool of young guys is too thin.

Is anyone here educated enough on our minor league group vs other teams' to weigh in on this one? I have no clue.

Christina

by Christina on Nov 30, 2006 3:56 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Minors

Our system is one of the worst in the Majors. It has improved since Fuson's arrival.

Padres Nation E-mail me

by Richard Wade on Nov 30, 2006 4:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

...and will continue to improve under Grady Fuson

That's why Mr. Alderson wanted Grady here. Together, those guys put together that A's farm system when it was light-years ahead of the rest of baseball

Got a flight for tonight and I'm ready to ROLL! All my homies checkin fo' me and I'm ready to GO!

by TheRevRun on Nov 30, 2006 4:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I get that now

I definitely came away from the ticketholder event feeling that Fuson is turning the system around. Of course it will take some time to reap those rewards, but I forgot about how good he and Sandy can be at this. I think Darren said he was going to be there tonight too - I hope he was!

Christina

by Christina on Nov 30, 2006 10:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Also mentioned in that article

"...agents aren't even returning our calls."

Well, duh. You said you had money, right? Apparently NOT as much as we were led to believe.

When you choose to shop at the 99-cent store, (after leading us to believe Bloomie's was going to be the store of choice) that's the risk you must run.

Sandy - good luck with those agents at the Winter Meetings. I'm sure they'll be happy to converse with you after you trashed them. (Better send Kevin Towers....)

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Dec 1, 2006 10:48 AM PST reply actions 0 recs