Gaslamp Ball: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
Around SBN: Fedor vs Rogers Results and Live Coverage

Padres say goodbye to Cameron, hello to Edmonds

I really enjoyed having Mike Cameron in center field, and I'm sorry to see him go. I know I had said that I'd rather have Cameron over Edmonds, but heck, I'll take Edmonds. I guess I got no choice. Maybe he really can pull off a Steve Finley.

The Padres signing of Glendon Rusch and Shawn Estes makes me feel like we'll be able to put something together that looks like a 5th starter by Opening Day. If the Padres manage to land Geoff Jenkins and maybe give Steve Finley a shot at finishing his career here, then I like the looks of our team and our chances at returning to the postseason.

0 recs  |  Comment 55 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

I don't hate this
From a defensive standpoint, if Edmonds is healthy, this is an upgrade, regardless of his age.  His bat has declined, but his defense has remained solid and in Petco, that's a necessity.  And it's not exactly like Cameron lit it up offensively last yr.  

I think we're looking at a very similar team to last yr's - they are going to struggle offensively, but defense and pitching will keep them competitive.

by Winfield's Ghost on Dec 15, 2007 6:41 AM PST reply actions   0 recs

Plus/Minus
Edmonds was pretty terrible in CF last year, at least according to plus/minus. I have looked at UZR or anything else.

Even so, I think this is a great signing. He may have had a down year last season, but if he can stay healthy, he will be much better than Cameron. He has been better at pretty much every point of his career than Cameron. Mark me down in the I don't understand how people can't like this signing" column. We gave up nothing to acquire a guy that could be a huge boost to us. Yes he is a risk, but not as big Cameron. Don't get me wrong I loved Mike out in CF, but I in no way see this as a downgrade.

I don't think our offense will struggle this year. Again, they were middle of the pack last season, and I think we have only upgraded so far this year.

by osbug on Dec 15, 2007 8:56 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Huh...?
Freese is old, but he's a stud (think Kevin Kouzmanoff). We didn't give up "nothing."  

There is NO WAY that Edmunds is defensively equal to Cameron (PERIOD).

Will Edmunds produce more w/ the bat than Cameron? Maybe...

This could be a good deal for the Padres but it was a GREAT deal for the Red Birds (they don't need Edmunds and clear most of his salary and get a potential replacement for Rollen).

-peter

by peterf on Dec 15, 2007 4:16 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Who
are edmunds and rollen?
You must defeat my dragon punch to stand a chance.

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Dec 15, 2007 4:39 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Fine
We dealt from a position of strength to fill a hole on our team. Freese may end up being good, but he was basically a third stringer for us and would probably never even play for the major league club.

Edmunds was a liability in center last season, but injuries will do that to you. Cameron didn't do a bad job in center, but he had an off year with the bat. It was definitely a gamble signing him, but his upside is much better than Cameron's. For that matter, Cameron is a pretty big gamble at this point. Besides missing the first month of the season, I highly doubt he will stay injury free the whole season. Add into that, who knows how he will play stimulant free, and I think the Edmonds signing was a good move. It obviously wasn't plan A, but nobody gets everything they want.

by osbug on Dec 15, 2007 5:12 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Well, not exactly...
I like Freese, but he's no Kouzmanoff. Just to compare their age 24 seasons:

Kouz (AA/AAA): .379/.437/.656
Freese (A+): .302/.400/.489

Think Jose Bautista or possibly Mike Lowell v. 2006 as best case. With Kouz and Headley in his way, the Padres didn't need Freese. He's not a bad gamble for St. Louis, although the upside is limited.

by Geoff on Dec 16, 2007 12:06 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Edmonds
has a flair for the dramatic and is a clutch guy for sure.  He'll frustrate you at the plate a bit, but he'll make up for it in the big moments.

He calls in regularly to the morning show I listen to and he's been talking about how great he feels and how much further he is ahead in his training as compared to previous years.  

I really don't understand why the Cards let him go.  They signed him to a 2 year deal for the purpose of letting him retire as a Cardinal (at least that's how it was promoted here in STL).  They overpaid for him last off season, but it was supposedly a tribute to the greatness he brought here.  Now, they dump him for a Single A dude.  WTF?!

I really don't get it.  And I really don't get why SD isn't excited as hell to get this guy.  

One thing you may not know is that he's a great clubhouse guy too.  He's the one that rallied the Cards with a speech in the clubhouse in 06, against the Padres.  You may have hated him for it then, but remember that he's bringing that to the table now.

Unless there is some hidden health reason that the Cards aren't releasing (which I doubt, cause why would KT sign him without a physical)....there must be something else at play here...and if I had to wager, I'd say that Padres fans are gonna be loving this deal next year.

by thenerdhater on Dec 15, 2007 6:54 AM PST reply actions   0 recs

Because
The cards are a 100 million dollar greek tragedy.  Expect Rolen and Izzy to be dealt too.  Edmonds, Rolen and Izzy aren't worth the marginal wins they add to St. Louis at 28 mil.  
How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?

by rocKStark on Dec 15, 2007 6:13 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Love It
Edmonds was one of my favorite non-Padres players.  He's now one of my favorite Padres.  While Edmonds is not as fast as Cameron, he is far superior at reading and tracking the batted ball.  I have no statistics to support this assertion.  I just watch a lot of baseball.  Edmonds, like Cameron, plays "balls out" on every play.  They are also similar in that they each strike out a heck of a lot more than you would like to see.  If the Padres land Jenkins, put him in right, let Giles play in left where he belongs, and have Edmonds in center, that's a pretty darn good outfield with three guys that are easy to root for.

by Enzo Hernandez on Dec 15, 2007 7:24 AM PST reply actions   0 recs

Diamondbacks
If the Diamondbacks don't win the NL West next season I'll be shocked...I think we're competing for the Wildcard.

by Drama on Dec 15, 2007 11:14 AM PST reply actions   0 recs

d-backs=no offense=won't win division
my girl got a girlfriend

by la padres on Dec 15, 2007 12:22 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Wait
I thought you said ALL of the NL West teams were better than us???  I'm confused.

AZ's offense will be better than it was this yr - their young guys project to produce better than they did this yr...when they won the division.

by Winfield's Ghost on Dec 15, 2007 1:28 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Its best not to read into it too much
according to la padres, offense is the only thing that is good for winning.
You must defeat my dragon punch to stand a chance.

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Dec 15, 2007 1:34 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

well...
in 2007 (modern day baseball) its proven that you need some extra offense here and there to win ballgames...do you wanna watch the NL tiebreaker game from this past season, when peavy and trevor fucked up and we missed the playoffs...for the record i never said offense was the only way to win ballgames...im just simply wondering how come we can't be like other good offensive clubs....
my girl got a girlfriend

by la padres on Dec 15, 2007 4:53 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

THEY ARE!!!
they batted .250 as a team, scored 712 runs (which is 16th in the NL), 1350 hits(again 16th in the NL, not to mention they stole 109 bases (which im sure most of those came from the padres)...plus they have catchers who can throw some runners out, unlike us....just because i said they wouldn't win the division doesnt mean they're not better than us....
my girl got a girlfriend

by la padres on Dec 15, 2007 4:47 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Let's see
The Padres posted a .260 EqA last season, which by definition is league average. The Diamondbacks posted a .248 EqA...The Rockies post a .264 EqA...the Dodgers posted a .256 EqA and the Giants posted a .246 EqA. Doesn't look like anyone in the NL West was much better than us last season.

I think so far the team has already improved offensively this season, so I don't know where you are getting these crazy notions that every team in the NL West is better than us.

by osbug on Dec 15, 2007 5:21 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

What are you smoking?
Have you been hanging out with TTG/T4G/TTG lately?
You must defeat my dragon punch to stand a chance.

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Dec 15, 2007 1:16 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Haha
Oh, I get it now. It took me about a minute.

by TheThirdGonzalez on Dec 15, 2007 6:06 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Am I missing Something....
Towers circa 2005:  We need to dump over-priced, aging, slow footed outfielders for young, athletic, quick ones.

Towers outfield 2008:  Giles, Edmonds and (if Towers gets his man) Geoff Jenkins.

by Pappa Morgigno on Dec 15, 2007 11:47 AM PST reply actions   0 recs

he is just
one of those players that i hated because he always killed the padres. always making robbing us with great catches (thinking of his diving tumbling catch in playoffs against us) and coming up with clutch hits.  I didn't hate him because he was a bad guy, it was probably all out of jealousy.  He was always so over dramatic to me and it bugged me.  Of course when he plays that way for the Padres I will probably love it.  Just have to get used to accepting he is a Padre now.
http://frequentfriar.wordpress.com

by Peavyforprez08 on Dec 15, 2007 12:09 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

2005 NLDS--Edmonds MURDERED us
.364/.462/.818 with an HR

I definitely remember that.  And though it isn't statistically a reason to sign a guy 2 years later to (try to) play 162 games for you, it definitely sticks in your head....I'd like to have him around in a post-season series to do that to someone else. Like maybe the Cubs or Diamondbacks.

by goose1 on Dec 15, 2007 12:15 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I see this as basically even, with some upside
Edmonds decline really can't be hidden--but even declining, he has more potential upside, I think, than Cameron.  

Cameron isn't exactly young, and if he has a 'good' season, by his career standards, he's a .250/.350/.450 guy.  Not exactly terrible for a plus defensive CF, but it's hard to say we're taking much of an offensive hit losing him.  And we've all had questions about his defense recently, which has traditionally been his selling point...

Edmonds last few years look pretty similar to those numbers, and his better career years (were he to feel healthy and have even a minor rebound in San Diego) are obviously MUCH better.

A 1 year deal, at around 7 million is great (that's what Cameron made last year).  It's not like he's blocking someone.  Does anyone know what Cameron was asking for?  At any rate, Edmonds will do about the same, maybe better, for less money--maybe a lot less money.

As for "young athletic quick outfielders"---if we had any, we should play them.  But because we don't, Edmonds is great.  It's not like we just gave Juan Pierre 45 million to block a young stud.

by goose1 on Dec 15, 2007 12:11 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

I kinda have a bad feeling he'll end up like
Vinny Castilla. Slowly starts losing playing time, left in for defense mostly, until he's benched and we're stuck looking for a center fielder at the trade deadline. But I guess that's all just worst-case-scenario.

by JollyWaffle on Dec 15, 2007 12:35 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

I can't wait for Jenkins to sign!
Then the Padres outfield will be the envy of the NL!!

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Dec 15, 2007 3:32 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Wait...aren't you a Cubs fan?
Because, while our outfield situation isn't ideal, I sort of think it's more embarrassing to hand out like three hundred million in contracts and not win a single play-off game....with a record that would have finished you 4th in like 3 other divisions.

But cute picture and all. Devastating analysis.

by goose1 on Dec 15, 2007 5:26 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I am...a cubs fan...
yes...we spent an assload of money and didn't win a playoff game. My cubs seem to be in some sort of playoff/championship "drought" if you will. I just can't explain it!

Three hundred million in contracts?? Did you use arithmetic to get that number?

And just for the record...as a cubs fan...nothing and I mean NOTHING will ever be embarrassing in relation to my favorite team. LOL...we've sucked longer than your franchise has existed, so don't try the "make fun of the cubs" angle. The cub fans do that better and more often than anyone else.

As an aside, I enjoy following the Padres here in San Diego. Petco is a nice place to watch a game, and your pitching staff always seems to gives you guys a chance in every game. Trevor has been one of the great ones, and I'm glad my son and I have been able to witness some history.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Dec 15, 2007 7:30 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Brilliant line
"We've sucked longer than your franchise has existed."

That seriously made me laugh because it's so true...which is truly sad for BOTH teams.  

Really made me laugh:)

by Winfield's Ghost on Dec 15, 2007 9:37 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Word from Jimmy
himself...before he got dealt he said he felt the best he's ever felt in his life and he has at least 3 years left in him (I know, they always say that).  

2006-07 was Murder on his body with the Toe, Concussions, legs and what not.

The Cards brass said this was the first year in a long time he was able to go straight to the gym after the season ended.  

He should be fine.

How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?

by rocKStark on Dec 15, 2007 3:49 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

I Agree
Pleasure doing business with you guys. We all hate the Cubs too and not just because of Fukudome. I hope Freese helps you beat the cubs.
You must defeat my dragon punch to stand a chance.

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Dec 15, 2007 4:41 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

"the best he's ever felt in his life"
He's 37 years old. I don't buy that line.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Dec 15, 2007 4:53 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

yeah,
kinda cliche, all the old dudes say that when they stop aching for a minute.  The point I'm making is he was really, really banged up the past couple of years.  He hasn't been the same since the Post Concussion Syndrome.  If the cards were a contender I probably wouldn't like the dump, but they're so god awful it looks like I'll have to pick a secondary NL team so I have somebody to root for in October, might as well be ya'll :D.  I love watching Peavey, he throws a wiffle ball.  
How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?

by rocKStark on Dec 15, 2007 6:01 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I'm feeling a litter better
About this trade after reading the comments, I think it was a fair trade, Freese is supposed to be a good prospect but he is just in A ball, A LOT can happen between now and IF he makes it to the Majors.

I hope Edmonds has one more year left in him, he is old, there is no doubt about that, but he has been hurt the past few seasons, so hopefuuly he WON'T pull a Vinny Castilla, and can help us, if he still has his skill in CF, that should be enough right there, we all know Cameron is declining there, and I have always enjoyed that uppercut swing lol.

...and we're STILL waiting for MATT HOLLIDAY to touch the plate.

by offspeedkills on Dec 15, 2007 6:34 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

First Padre Give-Away for 2008
Kool-Aid.  Keep drinking it.

- Mr John Moores

by Pappa Morgigno on Dec 15, 2007 11:55 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

dodgers signed kuroda
the big name japanese pitcher everyone was after. they are going to be a much better team next year with him and jones added. wow
http://frequentfriar.wordpress.com

by Peavyforprez08 on Dec 16, 2007 12:15 AM PST reply actions   0 recs

Welcome back to SoCal Jim...
hope you have a rejuvinated year.  After all, we are close to Mexico and there is no test for HGH, hint hint.  

Kidding aside, we are pnly renting him for a year, with the Cards paying part of his salary.  Cameron takes half the season to get going and now he will be starting a month late.  Edmonds is clutch...Cammy was not.

by planetjeffy on Dec 16, 2007 1:24 AM PST reply actions   0 recs

This still leaves me
With a couple of unanswered questions. Obviously Edmonds is a one year stop gap. At least I hope to hell he is. What about '08 and beyond? Is Cedric Hunter going to be ready by then and is he going to be our CF of the future? What does next years CF free agent class look like?

by friarfanatic on Dec 16, 2007 11:09 AM PST reply actions   0 recs

i feel the same way
im hoping edmonds is to us this coming year what Piazza was before, and i hope he has as good a year too...

by mandalay on Dec 16, 2007 11:40 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

2009 FA Outfielders
http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2002/02/2008-09-free-agents.html

The list is NOT impressive. The only good ones have options...not sure if they are player or club options, though.

by Drama on Dec 16, 2007 12:32 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Good Center Fielders Were Available This Year!
Why are you hoping for good centerfielders next year when we wouldn't pony up for them this year?

by Pappa Morgigno on Dec 17, 2007 9:27 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Edmonds
Edmonds >>> Coco Crisp. Whew! That was a close one

by Madridista on Dec 16, 2007 7:25 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Or Juan Pierre
At least we can avoid watching a CFer losing balls in the outfield.  That was one of my best memories of 2007 against the Dodgers and seeing him lose it in the sky.  Funny.
CaleciaPad

by CaleciaPad on Dec 16, 2007 9:50 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I was at that game!
Actually, there were probably several games where that happened to Juan "I'm the David Eckstein of Center Field" Pierre.

It was the game where David Wells pitched for the Dodgers and Jack Cassel made his MLB debut.  That was a nice win.

by goose1 on Dec 17, 2007 9:52 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Best Juan Pierre memory of 2007
My favorite 2007 memory concerning Juan was when Grady Little dropped him to eighth in the batting order.

by Drama on Dec 17, 2007 9:57 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

yeah i was there too
seriously one of the funniest things ive ever seen at a game!  and just an all around great win that day!

by mandalay on Dec 17, 2007 2:15 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Speaking of losing balls
Whatever happened to Brady Clark? When is effigy day at Petco?
"Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true!"

by Boilermaker19 on Dec 17, 2007 7:21 AM PST reply actions   0 recs

Interview with Edmonds
http://www.insidestl.com/mckernan/index.php?storyid=433

Apparently a lot of it had to do with the fact that STL wasn't going to guarantee a full time position.  Edmonds didn't like that LaRussa sat him against lefties a lot.

by thenerdhater on Dec 17, 2007 7:40 AM PST reply actions   0 recs

uh oh
Does this mean we're not allowed to sit him against lefties?

by Dex on Dec 17, 2007 7:42 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Jimmy needs to read his own stats...
 AVG  OBP   SLG   OPS
.299   .394  .564   .958 ---Vs. RHP
.255   .336  .440   .776 ---Vs. LHP

He's magnificently pedestrian against LH pitching.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Dec 17, 2007 8:33 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

That'll do, Edmonds

Signing Cameron to > $10-11 million for a year when he misses the first month of the season - and let's not forget he's been a slow starter the past two years to boot - could easily have been a disaster.

If he had just been more like Dimaggio and had coffee and cigarettes between innings he wouldn't be in this mess.  

I say pencil in Edmonds for 6 games a week and see how he does.  We're one aged outfielder away!

by Billy Almon on Dec 17, 2007 8:00 AM PST reply actions   0 recs

Edmonds was not my first choice.
Probably not my second or third choice either.  But since we are down to fourth choices, I'll take him.  He'll be fine, and it is only one year.  If he doesn't work out, we aren't burdened with a long contract. In some ways he's a less risky option then some of the others we could have signed.  Except I really would have like MB to stick around.....

by sweeney on Dec 17, 2007 8:12 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

I heart MB, but
Edmonds will play more games than he will this year - for one reason or another.  Edmonds costs a million bucks more (like I care...it's not my funny money), but Jim (yes, we are on a first name basis) won't get spun if someone calls him a name.  They both sport the 2 - 3 day beard growth all the time.  How the hell do they do that?

by planetjeffy on Dec 18, 2007 12:11 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

2-3 Day Beard Growth
They use the Don Johnson Razor.

by Winfield's Ghost on Dec 18, 2007 12:21 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Frosty tips
Don't forget that Edmonds is a big time metrosexual dude (even rumored to have dabbled in the gaysex).  He frosts his hair. He likes to be tan.

He's gonna love Giles.

PS - I'm not saying Edmonds is gay...he's got a hot girly...but there's been plenty of speculation that he goes both ways.

by thenerdhater on Dec 18, 2007 2:36 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Another reason to love Edmonds
Again, from InsideSTL

my favorite Jim Edmonds moment came during the 2005 season at the new Busch.  We were playing the Dodgers and it was about 110 degrees in center field.

A Dodger fan was sitting in the 4th row of the Left Field bleachers and was razzing Edmonds all game.  We all were telling him to sit down and shut up but he just wouldn't stop.  Finally, in about the 5th inning Edmonds had had enough and he turned around and started walking toward the bleachers and went off on this guy.  He told him that if he thought he was such a man to come down on the field and they could "take care of things".

Of course, we were all going crazy and couldn't believe that Edmonds had #1 actually heard this guy and #2 turned around and started retaliating.  Never one to be over interactive with the fans, it just came as a huge surprise.  Don't ask me why but for some reason that moment just endeared him to me even more.

by thenerdhater on Dec 18, 2007 2:44 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Cognitively aware of the San Diego Padres since about 1980-1981... Fans since '76.
Start posting about the Padres »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Villain_small
A Poem for our Cowboy

Recent FanPosts

123078977612_small
Front Office Mandate: Fashion & Pride
01aug2009_brewers_044_small
WS game 1 OT
Moostache_small
2009 This Year In Baseball Awards
Dscn1247_small
Adrian to Red Sox?
Dscn1247_small
ALCS Game 6 OT
090708-stefan-owe_small
ALCS Game #5 Thread
Small
Tony Gwynn is a mutant
Craig-biggio
Kouzmanoff breaks Padres franchise HBP record!
Small
So long KT..... I'm glad you're gone

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >


Managers

Crackerjackdex2_small Dex

Sd_small kev

Untitled_small jbox