Harmony first in the Padres front office

by Dex on Nov 1, 2011 8:42 AM PDT

Tim Sullivan has a great article about Bud Black's relationship with new Padres GM, Josh Byrnes. I learned many interesting things from this article, including the fact that Josh Byrnes and Bud Black used to work together, scouting prospects in Cleveland.

I don't know why, but this gives me warm fuzzies. I know Padres doubters are seeing this offseason as a state of flux, and I don't blame anybody for feeling that way, but the optimist in me always takes these stories and enjoys them.

I like:

...That Theo Epstein tried to get Josh Byrnes first, but Byrnes wanted to remain here (Byrne's wife is a native San Diegan, from what I understand).
...That Josh Byrnes and Bud Black have a relationship already and that Bud Black is such a huge Aztecs fan that San Diego stays high on his list of places he wants to be.
...That Jeff Moorad apparently likes Josh Byrnes. When it comes time for a GM to have the hard conversation with ownership about opening up the pocketbooks to get just one more piece, it's better if the owner likes the GM. Towers could convince Moores all day and all night to open up the wallet for just one more guy. I don't think he had the same relationship with Moorad.
...That there's a general cleaning house in the Padres front office. It's always nice to start fresh.

I said it at the time, though I can't find the blog post right now, but if you've read Veeck as in Wreck, Bill Veeck had a clear idea of what he would hope to accomplish after first acquiring a club. A 90 win season within the first year was NOT one of them. Coming that close to winning the division in 2010 was both good luck and bad luck for the Padres. Ownership was forced to ride out a train that they didn't believe in and therefore hold off on the moves that they wanted to make in a proper rebuild. Bill Veeck said that ideally, there would be incremental gains the first two years and a division title in the third year of a new ownership. I just can't tell if we're now in year one or year three.

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So Moorad and Byrnes are a match on E-Harmony

Must have been a free weekend.

Fire Bud Black.
Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser. -- Vince Lombardi

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Nov 1, 2011 8:52 AM PDT reply actions 5 recs

We're

in year 0.

by SanDiegoKev on Nov 1, 2011 10:07 AM PDT reply actions

Let's split the difference and call 2012 year two.

The pitching staff is solid and there’s more on the way, there are three candidates for first base that could be resolved soon, questions and candidates for the corner outfield spots, and all the kids have another year of experience under their belts, with a chance to improve hitting skills with a new instructor. Veeck’s 3-year development plan may have been doable for two 8-team leagues in the ’40s and ’50s, but with 30 teams spreading the talent thin, a 4 or 5 year schedule may make more sense.

by wegotballsley on Nov 1, 2011 10:43 AM PDT reply actions

This is San Diego sports

There is no room for your optimism!

"Los Angeles is like San Diego’s older, uglier sister that has herpes." - Justin Halpern

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Bolts from the Blue

by creanium on Nov 1, 2011 11:33 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Watched the press conference last night

and the one thing I took away from it how excited Brynes was to be here. He seemed genuine and that he would try his best at the job. It’s always good when your GM’s heart is in it.

I actually feel good after watching the presser. Just don’t screw up the farm system.

Mat Latos is the real deal...Go Lakers, Pads, and Bolts

by mrbarneydangles on Nov 1, 2011 11:58 AM PDT reply actions