Smells Like Padres in Here - Monday Edition

I was in Seattle

for Friday and Saturday’s games. Friday was a lot of fun, but nerve-wracking as hell with CY looking like he was going to give it up at any point.

Saturday was a heart-breaker. Yeah, Bedard K’ed 10. But more frustrating was the fact that we hit several balls very well and they were right at people.

Got off the plane and into my car yesterday just in time to hear Heath blow the 8th. And then this morning, I see that Jake has a bum elbow.

So much fun in Padres land. I think I’ve officially given up on the season. We had to sweep the Mariners to get any momentum going, and we’re not going to have too many more opportunities to play teams this bad.

Since we can’t play ourselves.

by Phantom on May 19, 2008 7:48 AM PDT 0 recs

KT

KT was on XX Sports Radio with Scott and BR this morning.

It was an interesting conversation. I think this exchange says quite a bit about the state of the ballclub:

Kaplan: Kevin, you say you’ve got to decide if these are championship caliber ball-players. Can these guys turn it around? These are the things you have to decide. Are they? Can they?
KT: I would say we’ve got a couple. But we’ve got very few. And for us to play deep in the post-season…to want to win divisions…to go where we were at in ‘98…it’s pretty easy for any of you to look at and think of the Finley’s, the Caminitti’s, the Gwynn’s, the Vaughns…you know, and look at the players we have here and say if these are the types of guys that can take us to where we were in ‘98. I think there’s a couple, but very few. And we need to find more of ‘em. Either internally, down there in our farm sysytem, hopefully we can develop them or we look externally to get the right fit.

by Drama on May 19, 2008 8:48 AM PDT 0 recs

He sounded pissed th entire time, I thought

Like he’d trade every single guy on the roster right now if he could.

by Winfield's Ghost on May 19, 2008 8:52 AM PDT up 0 recs

That would be awesome

by jbox on May 19, 2008 8:55 AM PDT up 0 recs

Well, 23 of them.

I think the “couple” of guys that are championship caliber guys he was referring to are Aid and Peavy. I think the rest are to be had for the right price.

If you ask me…Peavy, Aid, Heat and Headley are pretty much the only guys I would not want to deal. I would happily trade any of the rest for the right package.

by Drama on May 19, 2008 8:56 AM PDT up 0 recs

Heat

I’d actually be willing to listen to offers for Bell at this point because I think he might be the most valuable trading piece they have. I know that you don’t want to give up a strong bullpen arm, but if this season is done (and imo, it is), trading him for a couple of younger arms would have to be looked at.

by Winfield's Ghost on May 19, 2008 9:06 AM PDT up 0 recs

You know in Scrabble

when you don’t have any good letters and you can just skip your turn and swap them all out. I’d be down for something like that.

by jbox on May 19, 2008 9:08 AM PDT up 1 recs

Yeah

Like “we’re going to skip the rest of our games in May” and then bring in an entire new roster for June. That would be fantastic.

by Winfield's Ghost on May 19, 2008 9:14 AM PDT up 0 recs

Second.

I’d like to try that too.

Me fail English? That's unpossible!

by sdsuaztec4 on May 19, 2008 9:17 AM PDT up 0 recs

Yeah, I see your point.

I was wavering on whether to put him on the list. I’m just worried about who is going to close for us in ‘09. I really don’t see another viable option to assume Trevor’s role.

by Drama on May 19, 2008 9:15 AM PDT up 0 recs

I think there's a few more pieces than just Aid and Peavy

Chris Young is definitely a good piece of a “championship team”—as a #2, he’s good, as a #3 option he’s fantastic.

Okay, granted there’s not much. I watched Mike Cameron track down a deep flyball in yesterdays Brewers-Red Sox game--a ball any one of the Padres replacements this year would have left as a certain double. I thought the Padres didn’t need Cameron—man, was I wrong.

I dream of a Bradley-Cameron-Giles OF, a 2007 Joe Thatcher, a healthy Michael Barrett as a backstop. That team would be .500, I think. Not great….but as of now, the season feels over in mid-May, which is disgusting.

by goose1 on May 19, 2008 9:30 AM PDT up 0 recs

Well, to totally get ahead of ourselves...

...I’m not sure a lockdown closer will be needed in ‘09 because I’m not sure how much better this team will be, regardless of how its turned over. I’m totally lobbying for the youth movement now – so I’d be okay with trading him for a couple of young arms and using next season to see who the closer would be in ‘10.

by Winfield's Ghost on May 19, 2008 9:48 AM PDT up 0 recs

Woah.

I’ll agree that ‘08 is a goner…but I can’t already give up on ‘09. I just can’t. There isn’t enough vodka for me to have to wait until 2010 to see a Padre game that actually matters.

Go ‘09 Padres!!!

by Drama on May 19, 2008 9:51 AM PDT up 0 recs

There's a chance that the Great Disaster of 2008 shakes things up

These have been winning teams the past 4 years…I expect the Front Office had a lot higher expectations. They’re not on the downside of a win cycle—-I think 2008 looked like a stopgap year, and better options fell through (Bradley, Cameron, Fukudome….leaving Edmonds) while they made some good moves elsewhere (Wolf, Iguchi).

I would expect to see a WILDLY different Padre team in 2009. Need to start looking at that free agent list.

by goose1 on May 19, 2008 10:00 AM PDT up 0 recs

2009 Free Agent List

From MLBTradeRumors.com. Here’s the list.

by Drama on May 19, 2008 10:02 AM PDT up 0 recs

I don't like any of the names on there.

...TRADE!

The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world.

by Axion on May 19, 2008 10:10 AM PDT up 0 recs

Seriously?

Mark Ellis? Bradley? Sabathia? Emil Brown? I’d take any of them, preferably all.

by sacpadre on May 19, 2008 10:25 AM PDT up 0 recs

We already had Bradley.

I don’t like sitting around for Uncle Milty to get his ass off the DL. Ellis is too streaky, not enough upside. Sabathia is out of our league.

Brown is an intriguing player this year, however.

The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world.

by Axion on May 19, 2008 10:53 AM PDT up 0 recs

Milton Bradley

was my favorite Padre last year. We need his attitude and bat.

"Rich Folkers is throwing up in the bullpen." - Jerry Coleman

by Hacker on May 19, 2008 2:49 PM PDT up 0 recs

How do people even remember Bradley?

He only had 144 ABs in 48 G for us. He almost has more than that this year.

I watched all 23 innings and all I got was this lousy signature.

by Wonko on May 19, 2008 2:51 PM PDT up 0 recs

How do you not remember

a guy who gets you 11 HRs, 30 RBIs, with a .414 OBP, .590 SLG, and .313 BA? Especially on a traditionally offense deprived team.

by sacpadre on May 19, 2008 3:09 PM PDT up 1 recs

I remember him getting his knee blown out

Does that count?

I remember it like it was a dream. A nightmare where the Chargers lost to the Chiefs, Cameron got stepped on (and amazingly it wasn’t Termel Sledge) and then everyone lost their cool which resulted in bad things for Bradley.

I watched all 23 innings and all I got was this lousy signature.

by Wonko on May 19, 2008 3:34 PM PDT up 0 recs

I remember

Bud Black cage fighting his own player. It was going to be to the death, but the ump stepped in at the last minute.

by sacpadre on May 19, 2008 3:40 PM PDT up 0 recs

Was just reading that...thanks

This might deserve a diary post of its own: 2009 Padres.

by goose1 on May 19, 2008 10:10 AM PDT up 0 recs

Adam Dunn and Rocco Baldelli?

Sure, Dunn strikes out a ton and plays LF like a trash can. But he’s got power and gets on base (Sandy Alderson’s two favorite qualities). I guess it might be a problem that he and Adrian are both lefties and would be most likely back to back in the order…

Baldelli, fine, is hurt a lot….but when he’s not hurt, he’s pretty solid.

by goose1 on May 19, 2008 10:14 AM PDT up 0 recs

Also...who to trade?

Not a lot of leverage for the Padres, outside of Peavy and Adrian.

Maybe Maddux to a contender at the deadline. Same with Giles, if he keeps hitting like he is.

Greene might get them something, but there’s no internal replacement for him. Kouzmanoff won’t be worth much.

I don’t know. It seems like it’s going to be internal or free agents for next year…..though KT does love to wheel and deal.

by goose1 on May 19, 2008 10:17 AM PDT up 0 recs

I agree

That’s why I just can’t see a whole lot changing. I’d bet on seeing more of the young guys at the beginning of the yr – Antonelli, Venable, etc – so that they can figure out what to do. To me, more of the young guys would mean more struggles next year, which I’m fine with.

There are no names on that FA list that are worth getting excited over.

by Winfield's Ghost on May 19, 2008 10:38 AM PDT up 0 recs

GIVE. UP.

by Winfield's Ghost on May 19, 2008 10:39 AM PDT up 0 recs

Trading Adrian

I don’t have a problem with this as long as you get a ton back. If you could get a legit CF prospect (and maybe a RF) and move one of slow footed semi-sluggers to 1B that would accomplish something. It also opens up the spot for Kyle Blanks in 2010 or 2011. I don’t think Adrian will be any better than he is this year so it’s a matter of taking your best asset and trading while his value is high. Similar to what the A’s did with Haren.

The obvious fit is the Yankees. But I’m not sure what you’d want in return. Austin Jackson is probably the starting point.

I watched all 23 innings and all I got was this lousy signature.

by Wonko on May 19, 2008 10:58 AM PDT up 0 recs

Yankees are a clear fit for Adrian, definitely.

Except the Yanks are already heavy on lefty bats.

Nonetheless, they’ve had such a jumbled 1B situation for so long, that I think you could get Hank Steinbrenner to overpay for a guy like Adrian. Austin Jackson, Jose Tabata, and an arm would be a good starting point. Buy low on Hughes.

Tabata is 19 and in Double A. Might have some attitude problems….but then again, it may be that the Yankees are rushing him.

by goose1 on May 19, 2008 11:06 AM PDT up 0 recs

Those are my thoughts exactly

The only problem is that currently they are the ONLY real fit. So they are basically bidding against themselves. You could wait until the offseason where Mets may buyout Delgado, but their farm system is lacking after the Santana deal same goes for the Mariners except with no buyout and Bedard instead of Santana. The Braves also become interesting if they don’t re-sign Teixeira.

I watched all 23 innings and all I got was this lousy signature.

by Wonko on May 19, 2008 11:16 AM PDT up 0 recs

I'd trade Adrian

I’d much rather have a leader and he’s one of a few guys who actually has value. I’d also trade Bell, but not Headley.

by Dex on May 20, 2008 11:00 AM PDT up 0 recs

sigh

if we have a fire sale, I stand a much better chance of losing my bet that the padres will finish ahead of the giants….

by pjbno4 on May 19, 2008 9:21 AM PDT up 0 recs

The Julio Franco era

You mean ‘baseball’?

"When the going gets tough... TheGrandHatching pops in later." -- WG

by TheGrandHatching on May 19, 2008 8:51 AM PDT 0 recs

It took me FOREVER to get this

and then I laughed really, really hard.

by Winfield's Ghost on May 19, 2008 11:03 AM PDT up 0 recs

Headley watch....

I bet Headley comes up for the start of the Reds series this Thursday. Him starting off seeing Reds pitching, followed by Nationals pitching would be a good start for him.

by Drama on May 19, 2008 8:59 AM PDT 0 recs

Fred Dryer was on Scott & BR, too.

“Two-time Pro-Bowler Fred Dryer.”
“You mean TV’s ‘Hunter’?”
``gasp`` “He was Hunter?”

The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world.

by Axion on May 19, 2008 9:27 AM PDT 0 recs

At least we know P-Keg won't be starting tonight.

According to rumors he was seen at Lindbergh Field hastily catching a flight to Illinois for some unknown reason this morning.

by Drama on May 19, 2008 9:29 AM PDT 1 recs

Boosh!

The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world.

by Axion on May 19, 2008 9:44 AM PDT up 0 recs

Jim Edmonds update...

Edmonds hasn’t played or even pinch-hit since he left seven guys on base in last Thursday’s game against the Padres.

by Drama on May 19, 2008 9:45 AM PDT 0 recs

But he's still got a lot left

by Winfield's Ghost on May 19, 2008 9:46 AM PDT up 0 recs

But he hasn't lost a step!

And he’s in the best shape of the past 6-7 years!

The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world.

by Axion on May 19, 2008 9:46 AM PDT up 0 recs

Typo: should read "best shape of his past 67 years"

by goose1 on May 19, 2008 9:48 AM PDT up 0 recs

I miss Cameron and Bradley so much.

Me fail English? That's unpossible!

by sdsuaztec4 on May 19, 2008 9:55 AM PDT 0 recs

"death knell"

From Jon Heyman’s Daily Scoop today:

The Padres could be the first team dead and buried now. If Jake Peavy’s elbow issue keeps him out (he’s only said to have to miss one start so far, Monday’s start), that could be their death knell.

by Drama on May 19, 2008 9:56 AM PDT 0 recs

Damnit!

We’re getting Schiavo’d.

The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world.

by Axion on May 19, 2008 10:05 AM PDT up 0 recs

This is awesome.

If the ‘08 Padres were some kind of steam-era engine room in the bowels of some giant sea-faring vessel, there would be dudes screamin’, shrapnel flyin’ all over the place from exploding valves and doohickeys, Jake’s elbow gets clanked from a ruptured steam pipe while Adrian and Giles are throwing whole barrels of kittens and puppies into furnaces to keep the bitch steaming along…

The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world.

by Axion on May 19, 2008 10:03 AM PDT 1 recs

Lofton

Is this guy just asking for a load of cash or something? Seems like a good 1 to 2 year option if he doesn’t ask for too much. Although to a certain extent, I feel like he may be too little too late. I still say I’d like to see the Padres make an aggressive move towards someone like Dustin Pedroia. The guy plays a mean 2B and he can mash the ball. Mark Ellis seems like another good option. Heck, at this point, I’d try to pick up some of the Rays or Marlin’s assets. You know the Padres could pay them more than their respective clubs can/will. Don’t think all is lost. Not ready to throw in the towel yet, but wholesale changes are in order.

by sacpadre on May 19, 2008 10:06 AM PDT 0 recs

Are you talking next year?

Because we have Iguchi this year, and Antonelli supposedly next year.

The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world.

by Axion on May 19, 2008 10:20 AM PDT up 0 recs

Antonelli?

UGH.

by Drama on May 19, 2008 10:21 AM PDT up 0 recs

Thank you.

Kind of sick of the whole Antonelli savior talk. The guy was mediocre in spring training, and he is getting murdered in Portland. I don’t think he solves our 2B woes.

by sacpadre on May 19, 2008 10:27 AM PDT up 0 recs

Nobody said savior.

Just a guy who we already have who should be here.

The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world.

by Axion on May 19, 2008 10:36 AM PDT up 0 recs

I don't know.

I really wish we had signed Tadahito to a two-year deal. Antonelli worries me.

by Drama on May 19, 2008 10:43 AM PDT up 0 recs

I think there will be another assessment at the end of the year.

And if Antonelli doesn’t look close, KT will take the safe bet and try to resign him.

The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world.

by Axion on May 19, 2008 10:50 AM PDT up 0 recs

Also, I think Iguchi likes it here.

I thought before the season started, he was open to a longer deal. I think I remember Iguchi wanting 2 years, actually….

Iguchi/Antonelli splitting time at 2nd next year would be fine by me.

Just like Headley should be splitting time with Milton Bradley (during MB’s traditional 2 months of injuries) this year…..sigh.

by goose1 on May 19, 2008 11:00 AM PDT up 0 recs

IIRC

Milton Bradley is of the opinion that the Padres do not want him. This is why he signed elsewhere.

I watched all 23 innings and all I got was this lousy signature.

by Wonko on May 19, 2008 11:01 AM PDT up 0 recs

I never got that, actually. They offered him 4 million.

And he signed with Texas for 5. MB talks crazy talk sometimes…..I’m pretty sure he just wanted to DH in a park that wasn’t going to suppress his numbers.

by goose1 on May 19, 2008 11:07 AM PDT up 0 recs

you really never got that impression?

I knew it as soon as black threw him to the ground and tore his ACL. That’s that kind of thing you don’t do to players you want to keep around.

by pjbno4 on May 19, 2008 11:22 AM PDT up 0 recs

Sorry, I meant I never got why Bradley thought that.

I know he thought the Padres didn’t want him….but I didn’t think there was any legitimate reason for him to think so. I mean, they offered him a contract, as KT said. Not the case for the likes of Blum and Brocail—-they definitely didn’t want those guys.

by goose1 on May 19, 2008 3:30 PM PDT up 0 recs

Brocail = #42 pick in 1st round

Yea crazy draft rules!

I watched all 23 innings and all I got was this lousy signature.

by Wonko on May 19, 2008 3:35 PM PDT up 0 recs

I remember KT on the air...

shortly after Milton said the Padres didn’t want him. He basically blasted him saying that they are not in the business of offering contracts to players they don’t want and that Milton never asked for a counteroffer. He took the Rangers money and ran (well, hobbled). I think he was upset that the Padres didn’t offer him a contract until December.

I watched all 23 innings and all I got was this lousy signature.

by Wonko on May 19, 2008 11:26 AM PDT up 0 recs

Agreed

With Antonelli batting .197 in the typically hitter heave PCL, I don’t really see how he is remotely ready for the majors. I think he was supposed to be the next big thing, but I think he has a little bit of time before he is ready for the next step.

by sacpadre on May 19, 2008 10:58 AM PDT up 0 recs