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Padres GM Hoyer: "To me this is the time to make a run and do some damage."

By jbox
Jed Hoyer via <em><a href="http://padrestrail.blogspot.com/2010/01/padre-open-house.html">Padres Trail</a></em>
Jed Hoyer via Padres Trail

XX Sports Radio: Jed Hoyer Interview with Darren Smith (MP3) from 6/9/11

  • Hoyer talked to Bud Black about bringing Anthony Rizzo up for interleague play.  Black responded "Let's do it now!" and Hoyer didn't have a reason not to.  Black thought it was time to bolster the line up.  Black also convinced Hoyer that Brad Hawpe was ready to play right field.
  • Hoyer does have some anxiety about Rizzo performing at the big league level because he is responsible for trading Adrian Gonzalez for these prospects.  Hoyer is realistic though that Rizzo will have his ups and downs.  Rizzo may not have the same adjustment period that Gonzalez had because of the nature of the trade that brought him here.
  • The "exchange rate" from Tucson to Petco Park is extreme.  "We don't expect him to come up and hit .360" but he was hitting against good pitching.  Petco Park is going to affect his power.
  • Hoyer would eventually love to see Rizzo hitting third in the line up. He could at some point lead the team in home runs and RBI.  Right now they don't want Rizzo to face the pressure of being the savior of the team.
  • Eric Patterson was designated for assignment and Will Venable was recalled from Tucson.  The trip to Tucson for Venable was a wake up call, and gave him a chance to tinker with his swing and now he is feeling more comfortable.  "We're entering a very crucial time of the year so we want the absolute best roster out there we can."  Aaron Cunningham was optioned to AAA Tucson.
  • They are going to watch Dustin Moseley's arm injury until Saturday.  They are hoping that he doesn't have to go on the Disabled List.
  • If they make a move for a starter it won't be Cory Luebke.  They want to keep him in the bullpen and get him more experience in the Major Leagues.  He is a starting pitcher but they have to stretch out his innings before he starts again.
  • Eric Patterson was brought over in the Adrian Gonzalez trade also and they thought he could be a good bench player. "It didn't work out for him here, but he certainly gave it his all."
  • Will Venable is coming back to the team in a different role.  Hawpe is going to be playing a lot of right field.  Venable will be a utility outfielder not a starting right fielder.
  • Cameron Maybin is going to start a rehab assignment in Tucson on Friday.  He has a good idea of the corresponding move he'll make when Maybin returns but isn't saying now.
  • Darren is looking through the media guide at the pictures of Hoyer.  "What picture would you like the guys at Gaslamp Ball to put up for you?"  Hoyer thinks all the pictures looks bad.  Darren thinks he should do a new photo shoot, Hoyer says "It's not a terrible idea, they've got to get some new art."  Darren says "I know those guys love it to when you shout them out, you do that and they love you forever."
  • Red Sox fans still really like Anthony Rizzo. "He's a great kid.  All the scouts love him." "It's impossible not to like him as a person."  The area scout in Boston had a gut feel about Rizzo.  The scout out hustled his competition.
  • Hoyer hopes that the AAA team will be able to move to North County so that fans can get the same excitement about the team's other prospects.
  • The most fun Hoyer had in the front office of the Red Sox was when they got to see a player they worked so hard for get their Major League debut.  "This is why you do it."
  • Kyle Blanks can still play left field.  He's still very much a prospect, but is still knocking the rust off after missing most of the year last year.  "Hopefully he goes up to Tucson and performs very well."
  • Hoyer says that Buster Olney is wrong when he says the organization is making signs that they may trade players away.  "To me this is the time to make a run and do some damage."  They need to get back to .500 and get back in the race.
  • There is not truth to the possible trade of Ryan Ludwick to the Cincinnati Reds.  "There is not truth to that whatsoever."
  • Teams have inquired about Heath Bell, but Hoyer hasn't talked to any teams for 10 days due to the draft.
  • Hoyer is satisfied with the Padres draft.  They are happy to get Spangenberg and Ross.  "A lot of athletes and a lot of arms."  The beauty of this draft this year is they had a lot of picks.  You've had a successful draft if you get 2 or 3 big leaguers that have sustained success.  They are very confident they can sign Spangenberg.  It's practically a done deal.
  • Luke Gregerson is likely to land on the DL.  He pulled a muscle on his rib cage.  Evan Scribner is likely to be activated.

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