Upcoming Roster Moves

by mcgrath on May 14, 2011 9:27 AM PDT

Two important regulars, Orlando Hudson and Nick Hundley, will soon be returning from the DL. It's quite clear Logan Forsythe will go back down when Hudson returns, but what about when Hundley comes back?

Rob Johnson is a career .200 hitter and is rapidly descending to that level after a decent start. Switching to Petco Park can turn a .200 hitter into a .180 hitter pretty quickly. He's striking out a lot. Recently, when not striking out, he's looked tentative or just overmatched at the plate. Like a guy trying not to whiff rather than one trying to make something happen. I assume he handles pitchers well or else why is he here?

Kyle Phillips is a left hand hitting local product brought up from AA when Hundley went down. He's a big, strapping kid with plus power and a minor league career of hitting everywhere he's been. He's also a local product and is getting some hometown love from the U-T, as he should. He definitely looks unintimidated at the plate. The ball pops off his bat. He swings with controlled authority. His abilities behind the plate are a work in progress, but he's competent and working hard.

Why would the team prefer their backup catcher to be another righty who pretty clearly can't hit at this level vs. a lefty for whom every indication is that he CAN hit? I don't know what options they have with Johnson regarding sending him down, and it really doesn't matter. I say commit to Phillips as the backup for a season to see what he can do. After all, it's only as a backup. If he can supply a serious bat in the lineup every 4th or 5th day when Hundley rests, this club can hardly pass that up.

This FanPost was written by a member of the Gaslamp Ball community and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Gaslamp Ball managers or SB Nation.

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Gotta send down Phillips

the reasoning will be that he’s “not ready yet” and doesn’t handle a pitching staff as well as Johnson.

After all, it’s only as a backup.

While I would normally be in support of this as a reason to keep Phillips, Catcher is the one position that can screw up the entire team once or twice a week (even as a backup). Not to mention, Hundley doesn’t have the best track record of staying healthy. It’d be better if his replacement if/when he gets hurt is someone who has been with the team, is familiar with the staff, and can handle each pitcher the team has. Phillips, with as little experience as he has, probably isn’t ready for that yet.

Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.

2011 Padres Record-When-I'm-There: 3-5

by John Gennaro on May 14, 2011 10:10 AM PDT reply actions

i agree

also the consensus within the organization is that phillips needs to be in AA so he can catch everyday and work on his defense

by iheartyourfart on May 14, 2011 3:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Double agree

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by matthewverygood on May 14, 2011 7:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Another potential move coming tomorrow as well,

Flores (LHRP) in AAA has an opt out clause on 5/15. Given the relative success of Luebke, I could easily see them parting ways, especially if Thatcher might come back late in the season.

TBD

by IputtheYinTony on May 14, 2011 10:18 AM PDT reply actions

We get it

You like Phillips more than I like Antonelli

Denorfia sucks.
Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser. -- Vince Lombardi

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on May 14, 2011 3:56 PM PDT reply actions

What gave it away?

The part where he called him “strapping”?

The National League West title was all but a lock,
Then they lost 10 in a row, ‘twas like a punch in the jock!

Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't

by Wonko on May 16, 2011 12:20 PM PDT up reply actions

"Controlled authority" did it for me.

The safeword is pancake.

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by TheThinGwynn on May 18, 2011 1:37 AM PDT up reply actions

Randy Flores is 35 year old journeyman with a lifetime major league ERA over 4.

Luebke has done pretty well, both in middle relief and against lefties.
I think they’d let Flores go before they drop Luebke.

by wegotballsley on May 14, 2011 4:36 PM PDT reply actions

i wonder how much longer before lueb gets a start

right now he seems more valuable in the pen, but if clay or harang can’t get it together he might be knocking on the door. personally though, i think richard and harangutang will be fine and luebs won’t be in the rotation unless there is an injury.

by iheartyourfart on May 14, 2011 7:02 PM PDT up reply actions