Young Padres' answer engine: www.gregmaddux.com

[HollywoodLeo]

Now available to little Johnny Slacker and his buddies over at iPod Middle School is one of the most incredible reference tools ever, the Internet.

Kids fortunate enough to be working on the major league leading San Diego Padres pitching staff? They have Greg Maddux.

Greg Maddux starts every fifth day and mentors on each of the other four.

He's a baseball version of Google. Plug in a question or a phrase and watch him go.

"Every time I pitch I go over the scouting reports with him," says Padres right-hander Chris Young, who, at midweek, led the majors with a home ERA of 0.66. "He's been around so long. He knows the hitters, he knows the league. I give him my thoughts, and he gives me his feedback."

It would be an oversimplification to say the Padres own the majors' best ERA (3.03) simply because Maddux (4-3, 4.20) starts every fifth day and is open for questions on each of the other four.

After all, the Padres led the NL last season at 3.87.

But it would be within the strike zone to say that, with Maddux aboard, not only do the Padres boast one of the game's most talented staffs, but a staff that might lead the league in brainpower, too.

San Diego already employed Darren Balsley, one of the game's most underrated pitching coaches. And Bud Black was one of the game's most respected pitching coaches before becoming the Padres manager. Now, with Maddux around ...

more at the link. It's a 3 page article.
San Diego Padres, Greg Maddux, Major League Baseball - CBS SportsLine.com

[MrPadre19]

You have to figure,with Greg living nearby,that he would be involved with this franchise after he retires.Obviously Balsley is doing a great job,but if Maddux wants to coach,we should find a spot for him somewhere when the time comes.

[padrefanforever]

So we keep Maddux one more year.......??? What does he get paid next year ??? Do we hire him when he retires ?

[HollywoodLeo]

I believe it'd cost 6-10 mil next year depending on incentives/who picks up the option.

[padrefanforever]

worth the investment w/o question......even if he's our #5 / teacher

[HollywoodLeo]

I agree

In reality, based on sheer production alone I don't think he'd be worth the 10 mil this year. Good pick up, but that'd be too expensive.

But when you take into account his experience and the obvious affect he's having on Peavy, CY, and even Germano it's a bargain.

[padrefanforever]

And next year the same thing.......still a bargain......

Hell if we could score some runs for him........he'd have more W's next to his name