Kevin Towers is no longer commenting on trade rumors or speculation

by jbox on May 28, 2009 9:35 AM PDT

XX Sports Radio: Kevin Towers Interview (MP3) by Darren Smith

The reason the Padres have been successful recently is because they've been getting really good pitching. The bullpen is also finally getting settled. Mujica and Gregerson have shown they can pitch in the 8th. Thatcher may force the opposing manager to make a line up change.
Towers thinks that Eckstein is the Padres MVP.
"When he's up there I always think something good is going to happen. I think it was the first squeeze play that we've executed in the 14 years that I've been here".
You can hit and run with him, squeeze with him and have him lay bunts down.
"Buddy has done a nice job with what he's had to work with." Black has been able to be a little bit more creative.
Towers doesn't think things would be done any different if Sandy Alderson was still here.
Drew Macias has been playing well but Cliff Floyd will likely replace him. Macias still has options available.
"I wish there was a way to keep him up here, I'm a big Drew Macias fan."
Floyd will be a good power presence.
Venable and Blanks will be moved up in September when the roster expands at the latest. Venable is certainly ready, Blanks has only played 10 games in the outfield. When asked what will happen to Chase Headley and Brian Giles, Towers responds: "We'll have to wait and see how we play over the next few months"
Towers isn't going to get into rumors or comment on the Peavy trade possibility. "I'm always open for business". Towers can't answer the question if it's a matter of when or a matter of if he'll be traded. "If the right deal presents itself we'll pull the trigger, if it doesn't we won't." Towers says that you work on the deal with the other club and then go to the player for approval. Once you get the player involved it undoubtly becomes public. Towers did not go to Peavy before the possible trade was worked out. Peavy's advisor was aware of the trade. "It did not come from us, it did not come from the Padres."
Asked if he would have preferred sending Peavy to the Cubs in the off season. "There was never a deal in place with the Cubs."
Towers gets a little worked up when Darren Smith asks him about trade rumors about the Cubs and Kevin Kouzmanoff. (Towers raises his voice, but he's not yelling like capital letters might suggest)

"I AM NOT COMMENTING ON TRADE RUMORS OR TRADE SPECULATION. END OF IT! NO MORE! IT MAKES NO SENSE! It's not good for the fans , it's not good for the players. If anything ever comes out, I guarantee it won't come from the Padres."

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Two Things

1. When KT got a bit fired up at the end of the interview, it reminded me of the good old days with Sandy Alderson. Loved it!

2. I understand our pitching has been better lately, but I think the offense should get the praise during this winning streak.

by jbox on May 28, 2009 9:52 AM PDT reply actions

2. 5 of the 10 wins in the streak, we scored 3 runs or less, and the better portion of those were 1 run games. We were losing those games the week before during the 6 game slide. The offense has come to life on the road, though.

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 May 28, 2009 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions

And one more thing

1. Why does “COMMENTING ON TRADE RUMORS OR TRADE SPECULATION.” become “It’s not good for the fans , it’s not good for the players.”
But saying things like “Buddy has done a nice job with what he’s had to work with.” does NOT fall under that category

"What in the name of Randy Jones is going on over there..."

by ABY on May 28, 2009 9:21 PM PDT up reply actions

The response re: Headley is interesting

Drama is an a-hole.

by Winfield's Ghost on May 28, 2009 10:38 AM PDT reply actions

Yeah

That is where the English teacher stops the tape and teaches the class the lesson on foreshadowing.

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 May 28, 2009 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions

I take it to mean Headley would be manning 3rd base

by 'Eaters on May 28, 2009 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions

Bummer about Macias. Have liked what I have seen.

Harriston, Gwynn, Macias seems like a nice outfiled to me. Subbing in Headly/Giles off the bench.

This is a terrible thing for the Padres. - Jerry Coleman

by Padres_Hobo on May 28, 2009 10:59 AM PDT reply actions

Do we like Towers?

Folks, I’m very curious of the opinion of Towers from Gaslamp Ballers?

Personally, I like the guy, I hated Alderson but i thinks Towers is a good GM. What do you guys think?

by ryangraves on May 28, 2009 12:28 PM PDT reply actions

the royal we?

by 'Eaters on May 28, 2009 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions

This member of the royal "we"

has always liked Towers. I think he could really shine with more funding and being able to do what he wants but he never complains about it. He continues to do what he does and knows that, just like our pitching, he has almost no margin of error.

by goldfyngor on May 28, 2009 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions

I like KT a lot

he and Sandy always gave good interviews. Both straight shooters. Alderson was always condescending though, but that also made for a good interview.

by jbox on May 28, 2009 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions

I like KT.

I wish that he had money to show what he could really do.

by Zach (maestro876) on May 28, 2009 9:07 PM PDT up reply actions

his time has come.

After 15 seasons I am tired of the dumpster diving. Actually i was done a few seasons ago, but alas, he is still here.

Look, there are two ways to build a championship team if you are a low market team. (A) build through the draft or (B) Get lucky with trades.

through out the years he is about .500 on the trade front, and KT is batting a clean .010 (yes point oh one) when it comes to building through the minors, Jake Peavy being the only hit in 14 seasons. Okay, maybe Bartlett and Greene. .030

To compensate, he continues to head first into the dumpster, and personally i am sick of it. I don’t care how nice he is, or that he surfs, or is a great interview, with good phone skills …

I want baseball players. not a quotable GM.

552

by wrveres on May 28, 2009 9:24 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

he surfs???!

just kidding

by jbox on May 29, 2009 8:49 AM PDT up reply actions

I think it's very difficult to criticize KT for "dumpster diving".

He does it because he has to…not because he wants to. The lack of financial support has been a huge hindrance for KT his entire career. I’m not just talking about being able to go out and buy whoever the f**k you want like the Cubs, Red Sox, Yankees, etc. via free agency…I mean, it effects everything. You bring up the lack of success in building through the minors…lack of funds has been a good portion of the reason our minor league system has been so shitty. When you draft players based on signability…and not ability…your success rate is going to be severely diminished. When you don’t spend the money to lure and sign international players until you finally open an academy in the D.R. 14 months ago…you’re going to lose out on some spectacular talent.

As for being .500 on the trade front…I don’t see that at all. Aside from Peavy (who as you mentioned was drafted by the Padres), the heart and soul of this roster as it stands has been built by his fleecing of other GM’s. The superstar of this team is undoubtedly Aid. We got Aid and our #2 starting pitcher by screwing Jon Daniels and the Rangers. Our stud closer came from KT doing the same thing to Omar Minaya and the Mets. Scott Hairston was brought in for a reliever (injured at the time) that is sporting a 6.23 ERA as we speak. We got Kouz for a 2nd baseman that can’t stay on the 21-28 Indians roster. Mike Adams, who should be back with the team in the next week or so, came from the Indians for a guy that’s now playing in Japan. Even with Mark Worrell out for the season, KT is still winning the Khalil trade with the emergence of Luke Gregerson.

And when making trades, KT isn’t just looking strictly at making the best deal he possibly can…he has to make the best deal he possibly can that fits into his budget.

There was really only one time in KT’s career that Moores gave him carte blanche to do whatever he had to do to win…that was before the 1998 season. Moores knew he had to win in ’98 to get Prop C passed and he gave KT the free reign to get the job done…I think we all know how that worked out.

by Drama on May 29, 2009 12:58 PM PDT up reply actions 6 recs