Come talk #Padres baseball with EVP/GM Josh Byrnes. Tweetup this Weds night at @bubsdivebar downtown. Time revealed soon.

Also on the MLB meetings agenda is a vote on a shift of the San Diego Padres’ designated control executive from Chairman John Moores to Jeff Moorad, vice chairman and chief executive officer. Moorad, a former agent, and his investor group are in the midst of a multiyear plan to buy the Padres’ equity from Moores.

I'm not trying to make the point that Cory Luebke is as good as Clayton Kershaw or Justin Verlander, or that Cory Luebke was as good as Clayton Kershaw or Justin Verlander. Kershaw and Verlander averaged more than seven innings a start last season, while Luebke averaged just under six. That's significant, and of course, Kershaw and Verlander have built more of a track record. But the fact that the performances are even in any way comparable...Cory Luebke. Who the hell is Cory Luebke? A guy who pitched like a got-danged ace is who.

Overall, I think this is a great move for both clubs--both were able to fill a big need with a young, club-controlled player. Alonso is a big chip, but if you are going to use it getting a young anchor for your rotation isn't too shabby.

CTPadres Dan Hayes
#Padres agreed to a one-year deal with Chris Denorfia and will tender all other players.

Usually the guy who wins the Triple Crown really is the best pitcher. Looking at the list, I don't really see any non-deserving Cy Young winners. Well, except for maybe one: Jake Peavy, just four years ago. National League West power pitcher in a pitcher's park ... sound familiar? I argued at the time that Brandon Webb deserved serious consideration. Webb did finish second, but Peavy was listed first on all 32 ballots.

Others whose options were declined included Atlanta outfielder Nate McLouth; Colorado right-hander Aaron Cook; and the San Diego trio of right-handers Aaron Harang and Chad Qualls, and outfielder Brad Hawpe.

Harang declined his $5 million player option but does not get a $500,000 buyout because he fell 14 1-3 innings short of the 185 specified in his contract. San Diego declined a $6 million option on Qualls, who gets a $1.05 million buyout.

via ESPN

Sources: #Padres to name Phil Plantier hitting coach. Was hitting coach, then mgr with team's Class A Lake Elsinore affiliate in 2011. #MLB

Being the Padres hitting coach is like being the defense against dark arts teacher at Hogwarts.

Outfielder Aaron Rowand and infielder Miguel Tejada were designated for assignment by the defending World Series champions, who began the day trailing first-place Arizona by a season-high six games in the NL West race.