Towers: Kouzmanoff's shoulder behind schedule; no setbacks for Prior

by jbox on Jan 15, 2009 12:25 PM PST

Heath Bell doesn't lack confidence. The question is about how he'll respond after he blows a save. That's what was so great about Hoffman he could put it behind him so easily.
"I'd like to think that the fans will embrace him [Heath Bell]"
If Hoffman had accepted the $4m offer they wouldn't have been able to exercise the option on Brian Giles.
Towers says he wouldn't be sitting in the GM chair without Hoffman. They have a great personal relationship.
The last time Towers talked to Hoffman was a couple months ago. They did exchange text messages after Dave Smith passed away though.
We should know more about the sale of the Padres to Moorad at the start of Spring Training.
Kevin Kouzmanoff's shoulder is bothering him. Kouz will probably be brought back in for a shot next week. "He's probably the one guy that's behind schedule and we have concerns about".
The reason why Giles was brought back was because he's an asset to the club. There's a $3m buyout on his contract and they didn't want him to walk for that amount. Clubs are going to be interested in him this season and they might be able to get some prospects out of him and the Pads will only end up paying $3-4 million.
Will Prior play this season? "Watching him throw the last couple months, he's probably as good as I've seen him since we've had him here". There haven't been any rehab setbacks. The Padres are hoping to give him some Spring Training starts.

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I finally sat down and listened to the interview .

A couple of things struck me as odd .. Just a couple of days ago, it was reported that Towers had never seen Hoffman close out a game.

At home, whether that be Qualcomm Stadium or PETCO Park, it was much easier to get away from the ninth inning and that recognizable chime of “Hells Bells” from the stadium loudspeakers, and, more often than not, a successful save conversion by Trevor Hoffman.

That’s right: Towers, who took over as general manager of the Padres in 1995, has never once laid eyes on a Hoffman save.

Not once was he tempted to watch Trevor Time, a moment resplendent with bells, fireworks and that handshake from pitcher to catcher that marked a save and a Padres victory.

Yet Towers goes on and on in the interview about all the memories. Nothing major i guess, but odd all the same, considering he was so superstitious he wouldn’t even watch.

Also, there is a section about Jeff Moorad and Towers future with the ball club, and it is pointed out by Kevin that he went and interviewed with the Moorad for the Diamondbacks gig, but obviously never got the job. The very next question was specifically about Towers job here in San Diego, if Moorad were to take over, and Towers said, “Well this is the place I want to be” .. .

What?

You just interviewed with the same guy, for a totally different team. I am guessing he knows different. The train has left the station on that one.

Lastly. He mentioned at the end of the interview, he thinks the friars can get three or four prospects for Giles, around the trading deadline. Now I am thinking with all the stress this front office has been under for the past 16 months, Kevin Towers has gone and lost his mind.

What team is going to give three or four prospects for a 40 year old, soon to be free agent outfielder, with no power?

552

by wrveres on Jan 18, 2009 12:28 AM PST reply actions