The Padres have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with David Eckstein to play second base.

I can dig it....

Much better than Visquel and Counsell….he’s still scrappy right? People seem to like “scrappiness”

Padres Baseball. Feel the Frustration!

by offspeedkills on Jan 15, 2009 3:15 PM PST reply actions

He's definitely better offensively

Bet there are light years between Eckstein and the other two defensively. Eckstein didn’t even have good defense when he played second base last year. The upside is that he can bat 1st or 2nd in the lineup whereas those guys would be liabilities there.

I’d love to know why Juan Uribe wasn’t considered. He’s way better than Eckstein defensively too, but he’s not nearly the whole in the lineup that Vizquel or Counsell are. But, you definitely wouldn’t want him batting 1st or 2nd in the lineup.

1-10-DEN 18 (9:52) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass short right intended for 19-E.Royal INTERCEPTED by 93-L.Castillo (95-S.Phillips) at DEN 18. 93-L.Castillo to DEN 14 for 4 yards (62-C.Wiegmann). 6-J.Cutler pouts ob to DEN 25 for 11 yards.

by Wonko on Jan 15, 2009 3:31 PM PST up reply actions

Just out of curiosity

What do you base your statement that Eckstein “didn’t even have a good defense when he played second base last year”?

He only played 24 games at 2b (18 at AZ and 6 in Tor). He had no errors and his range was well above league averages at the position.

So please help us out here with your wisdom, in what way was he anything other than good at defense at 2B?

Do you know what we get to do today? We get to talk baseball!

www.websoulsurfer.com

by websoulsurfer on Jan 17, 2009 6:30 PM PST up reply actions

UZR/150

It was -2.7. His Range wasn’t good either his RngR (Range Rate) was -1.6.

At SS it was -18.9.

Did you think that I was just making it up?

1-10-DEN 18 (9:52) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass short right intended for 19-E.Royal INTERCEPTED by 93-L.Castillo (95-S.Phillips) at DEN 18. 93-L.Castillo to DEN 14 for 4 yards (62-C.Wiegmann). 6-J.Cutler pouts ob to DEN 25 for 11 yards.

by Wonko on Jan 17, 2009 11:20 PM PST up reply actions

Better than Omar. This does mean we're not signing Omar, right?

No power, walks a little, still can run and play defense…not awful at the right price. And we can make fun of his grit all year long, it can be a light spot in what looks to be a pretty crappy season ahead.

His bat was better than Edgar’s during his stint in Toronto (essentially league average), but absolutely heinous playing for AZ last year, so we’ll see what happens.

Maybe we’ll be able to turn him around at the deadline to a contender that needs more “grit in the lineup.” After all, he’s a proven winner…

Okay, I hate this move. At least we didn’t sign Willie Bloomquist…

by kidlondon on Jan 15, 2009 3:18 PM PST reply actions

Isn't it enough to know that I ruined a pony making a gift for you? ◔ヮ◔
Uncommon Sportsman :: Absurdity in play

by Axion on Jan 15, 2009 3:31 PM PST reply actions 9 recs

Is it just me or do we now have TOO MANY second baseman and no shortstops.

I mean, I know everyone was worried about second but didn’t want LRod playing short full time because they didn’t think he could do it (which I disagree with), and that he is a second baseman, too. So now we have Eckstein, Travis Denker, EGon, LRod and Antonelli all plalying second and just the Rule 5 guy Cabrera who has never played above Single A (but if we don’t keep him om Major League Roster all year we have to give back) as our shortstop? I don’t understand everything about baseball, but I am pretty sure you can’t have 4 second basemen! I thought the poing of signing and old guy was to get them to play short.

by kdukat on Jan 15, 2009 3:31 PM PST reply actions

It's not just you

1-10-DEN 18 (9:52) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass short right intended for 19-E.Royal INTERCEPTED by 93-L.Castillo (95-S.Phillips) at DEN 18. 93-L.Castillo to DEN 14 for 4 yards (62-C.Wiegmann). 6-J.Cutler pouts ob to DEN 25 for 11 yards.

by Wonko on Jan 15, 2009 3:36 PM PST up reply actions

There is a Rumor that SA is sending a petition to MLB HQ

to install two additional 2B bags at petco park as well as a second 3B bag. The petition also asks to eliminate the gap between 2B and 3B as well as all of LF.

by Grey Suit on Jan 15, 2009 3:44 PM PST up reply actions

The writing is on the wall. EGon is gone

and Antonelli will start the (and maybe spend the entire) year in AAA.

LRod has not had a full year at any position and only one decent season ever, 2008, and it is doubtful that he will be the starting SS all season. Chris Burke will probably see some time as a platoon at SS as well.

If Denker makes the team he will be the backup at 2B and util.

Do you know what we get to do today? We get to talk baseball!

www.websoulsurfer.com

by websoulsurfer on Jan 17, 2009 6:34 PM PST up reply actions

He who has the most backup second basemen wins.

It is one of the fundamental concepts of moneyball.

by strummer on Jan 15, 2009 3:55 PM PST reply actions

I'll play SS

I got Skills.

Brady Hoke, Al Borges, and Rocky Long. Aztec football is back!

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Jan 15, 2009 4:02 PM PST reply actions 2 recs

I wish we had the photo that immediately followed this one...

…where you’re still standing like that and the ball is already through your legs.

Did your laptop eat that one, too?:)

by Winfield's Ghost on Jan 16, 2009 6:42 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs

What a great pickup for the Aztecs - Rocky Long.

11 years at New Mexico and he brought my alma mater some respectability. A former QB as a defensive coordinator is a little strange though.

The new QB coach, Brian Sipes, is a good sign for Aztec Football as well.

Excuse the off topic post.

Do you know what we get to do today? We get to talk baseball!

www.websoulsurfer.com

by websoulsurfer on Jan 17, 2009 6:38 PM PST up reply actions

I always put Eckstein right behind Ronnie Belliard

as guys I hated on the Cardinals when I really hated the Cardinals (when they were knocking the Pads out of the playoffs). It’ll take some time, but maybe I can get behind Eckstein. I just never liked the positive “what a team player, hustler” talk he always got for sprinting out a walk. That always struck me as a very attention-getting thing to do for such a “team” guy, but maybe that was just the Cardinal-stink on him.

Here’s to learning to like Davey Hustle.

by Lenny Suckerpunch on Jan 15, 2009 4:26 PM PST reply actions

KT: Get ready Padres fans, we signed a scrappy AL second baseman

Fans: Pedroia?!?!?! wow who did you have to blow to pull that off??

KT: not exactly… think scrappier. and smaller.

"I suggest more bike" ~KSK

www.wellbelowthemendozaline.blogspot.com
www.drinkerswithawritingproblem.blogspot.com

by justdave on Jan 15, 2009 5:25 PM PST reply actions

and not good

by brewer090 on Jan 15, 2009 7:11 PM PST up reply actions

My sisters are gonna be so pissed

They’ve routinely called him the ugliest player in the league.

(Randy Johnson rejoices)

by matthewverygood on Jan 15, 2009 5:57 PM PST reply actions

I've never questioned a Kevin Towers move...

Until now. This sucks.

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

by TheGrandHatching on Jan 16, 2009 8:57 AM PST reply actions

Come to think of it

If FJM comes out of retirement to do a post on this signing then I’d say it was worth it.

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

by TheGrandHatching on Jan 16, 2009 10:37 AM PST up reply actions

your kidding me right?

you were all for Vinny Castilla at 3B? Todd Walker at 3B? Doug Mirabelli behind the plate? and i am just getting started … you were okay with those moves?

552

by wrveres on Jan 16, 2009 10:39 PM PST up reply actions

Sparkplug

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jan/16/padres-sullivan-tiny-target-brings-toughness/?padres

by strummer on Jan 16, 2009 10:03 AM PST reply actions

Man it sure is lonely

Here in the “I like Eckstein” room. Call me crazy, but I’ve always liked Eckstein, and I was rooting for us to get him a couple of years ago. For the money the Padres are willing to spend, I think he’s the best choice.

Does anyone else hear crickets?

"2009 Padres.....Yeah, we're still here.

by Boilermaker19 on Jan 16, 2009 10:31 AM PST reply actions

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

by TheGrandHatching on Jan 16, 2009 10:36 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs

I agree with your point

It’s a good pick up. I think most people including myself, are ridiculing it because it is the biggest acquisition the team has made. This is all we have to rally around. It’s a good pick up, but it is hard to get too excited about it.

by strummer on Jan 16, 2009 10:55 AM PST up reply actions

I agree with everything you said

except that “I like Eckstein” part. This is a good pickup.

Nothing personal, Davey, it’s baseball. A few weeks in a Padre uniform and I’ll get used to it.

This is the guy, after all, that I called “kid” and demanded he explain to me why he was on the field. I yelled for security, telling them there was a kid on the field who wasn’t supposed to be there. I asked the Elite guard if he had a son that he could send out to beat him up, because against a grown man it would just be wrong.

Isn't it enough to know that I ruined a pony making a gift for you? ◔ヮ◔
Uncommon Sportsman :: Absurdity in play

by Axion on Jan 16, 2009 2:53 PM PST up reply actions

Eckstein could be a good addition

2B: Eckstein
CF: Gerut
RF: Giles
1B: AGon
3B: Kouz
LF: Headley
C: Hundley
SS: Cabrera/Rodriguez

that has some decent pop/speed and OBP

by TheAxManCometh on Jan 16, 2009 10:36 AM PST reply actions

I don't think we will

ever see that lineup. You realize you put left handed hitters in the 2-3-4 slots?

1-10-DEN 18 (9:52) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass short right intended for 19-E.Royal INTERCEPTED by 93-L.Castillo (95-S.Phillips) at DEN 18. 93-L.Castillo to DEN 14 for 4 yards (62-C.Wiegmann). 6-J.Cutler pouts ob to DEN 25 for 11 yards.

by Wonko on Jan 16, 2009 12:22 PM PST up reply actions

Yeah

but still I think this is the best utilization of the parts of your lineup.
if you got a better idea then put it out there

by TheAxManCometh on Jan 16, 2009 2:05 PM PST up reply actions

Try this lineup

LH Gerut
RH Eckstein
LH Giles
LH Gonzales
RH Kouzmanoff
SW Headley
SW LRod
RH Hundley

Do you know what we get to do today? We get to talk baseball!

www.websoulsurfer.com

by websoulsurfer on Jan 17, 2009 6:43 PM PST up reply actions

Swap LRod and Hundley

And then get rid of LRod and get a real SS and that works for me.

1-10-DEN 18 (9:52) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass short right intended for 19-E.Royal INTERCEPTED by 93-L.Castillo (95-S.Phillips) at DEN 18. 93-L.Castillo to DEN 14 for 4 yards (62-C.Wiegmann). 6-J.Cutler pouts ob to DEN 25 for 11 yards.

by Wonko on Jan 17, 2009 11:21 PM PST up reply actions