about the second base thing. Considering the way Towers likes to force players to change positions (recently Cabrera to short, Headly to left, Blanks to OF, etc.), and considering he’s been talking about acquiring a power bat for one of the outfield slots, 2B might be a nice place to tuck Durango. And he’ll have a great mentor, too. But perhaps David Eckstein won’t be so keen to teach him his position as he was teaching Cabrera to play shortstop.

learning experience of 2009. He’s being forced to learn a lot by trial by fire — a new position and how to hit major league pitching among them. Perhaps dealing with the weariness and body aches of playing every inning since June 19 is another lesson. And perhaps that explains his recent slump, his slight drop in stolen base success and all the recent errors.

Despite the errors, I was happy to see him break out of his slump last night. I had figured Bud Black was gonna have to sit him for a few games and let him catch his breath before he started hitting again.

Each of those guys had two or three really good seasons with the Padres, but once Petco opened, their days were numbered. Well, in Giles’ case, I wish his days were numbered (has anyone been able to market his skill to take a pitch more effectively than Brian Fucking Giles?). But the contracts they had hung around the organization like nooses. One of the really exciting things about Cabrera, Blanks and now, perhaps, Durango, is their youth. These guys aren’t going to become liabilities until the polar ice caps have long ago melted. And by then, Petco will be under water anyway.