XX Sports Radio: Jeff Moorad Interview (MP3) Part 2 with Lee "Hacksaw" Hamilton
Moorad taking phone calls.
- A caller doesn't think that a team can win with a $40 million payroll. Moorad says "I'm not so sure we can't." Moorad thinks that the Padres have a number of good players that will be very good and play here for a long time. "As the payroll grows, so to will the cost of the roster."
- "The reality is that Adrian Gonzalez is a franchise player. I love him as a person. I love him as a player. If there was a way to keep him here for the course of his career, it'd be a great thing. I don't know if that can happen."
- "Can we afford Adrian if he costs $17 -18 -20 million a year? Probably not, quite frankly." If it's worth for him to play in San Diego for more affordable numbers then the Padres would be at the front of the line to sign him.
- Jed Hoyer has open discussions with Adrian's agent. They decided to keep the discussions out of the media. "You have my word that we will never trade Adrian Gonzalez if there is a realistic chance of signing him."
- No player is untouchable even Adrian Gonzalez. The Padres will listen to offers.
- "The Kouzmanoff deal was a tough one." He's been a real trooper in the organization. The Kouzmanoff trade unlocked the playing time for other players, particularly Blanks who can move to left field and Headley can move to third. The move gives the Padres a better chance to compete at a higher level.
- "The reality is that I think we have a chance, whether it's this season or next. There is no reason why this club with the players that are hear today can't win the division consistently going forward and that's our goal."
- The Kevin Kouzmanoff deal had nothing to do with money at all.