2008 Payroll

[FmrFresnan]

Mark Prior? The same Mark Prior that has played in 9 games in two seasons and has only sniffed 200 IP once? Clement too doesn't necessarily make any upgrade. Jones will be interesting but doubt Petco is the cure for his offensive woes. The Padres had zero .300 hitters. How is Crisp, Jones, Antonelli or Fukudome going to solve this? I do expect Kouz to progress but probably won't see a hike in Gonzo's production. With no one hitting around him, I wouldn't pitch to him with men on base. Crisp gives you better defensive with little speed on the base paths and a mediocre OBP, Fukudome gives you a Giles type player with better defense and Antonelli gives you a AA second baseman. I guess the point of all this is the Padres can and will do a lot better than this and it is hilarious that you guys think this is the best you can do.

Who says that's the best the Padres can do? I didn't say that. Mark Prior is still a damn good pitcher, yes he's been on the DL more times than I'd prefer to count, but if the Padres bring him in and he becomes another Jake Peavy, he gives this team one hell of a pitching rotation. You know as well as I do that Prior was touted as one of the best young pitchers in baseball, he just can't stay healthy. Yeah, he might be a risky investment, but if he gives the Padres what guys like Heath Bell, Cla Meredith, Joe Thatcher and Doug Brocail who were relative unknowns, have given this team, than it was a hell of an investment don't you think?

[love_that_reefer]

Being unknown and being healthy are two different things. You say Prior is still a damn good pitcher even though eh has shown no proof of that in two seasons.

[FmrFresnan]

Being unknown and being healthy are two different things. You say Prior is still a damn good pitcher even though eh has shown no proof of that in two seasons.

Reefer, he's pitched more than 2 seasons....

2003 211.1 IP 18-6 2.43 ERA

To say he hasn't proved it is a stretch don't you think?

[HollywoodLeo]

He hasn't proven he can consistently stay healthy, that's for sure.

That being said, I'd be willing to take a chance on him if he comes for cheap due to the health concerns and save the money for offense.

[love_that_reefer]

Reefer, he's pitched more than 2 seasons....

2003 211.1 IP 18-6 2.43 ERA

To say he hasn't proved it is a stretch don't you think?

No, you said he is still a damn good pitcher when you have no proof of that over the past two (really three ) seasons. Saying he is still damn good is the stretch. 2003 was four seasons ago!!

[FmrFresnan]

He hasn't been able to stay healthy, but my point was that he's proved he's a good pitcher by the numbers from 2003. Just because he can't stay healthy means he's a bad pitcher?

As Hollywood and myself have already said, we'd both take a chance on him. I'd laugh if he stayed healthy and put up better numbers than Barry Zito. If that turns out to be the case, the Padres saved $100M+.

I think he's a good investment for a 1 year deal.

[padrefanforever]

Clement, Prior or all the guys we take fliers on would be called on to take the place of last years David Wells, not exactly a tall order.......LTR stop acting like someone is suggesting that Prior or Clement or whoever are going to fight for something more than a #4 spot in this rotation.........thats just arguing to argue..........Prior / Clement / box of rocks > Wells therefore it's an upgrade.

1-Fukudome > Cruz Jr., Sledge therefore it's an upgrade
2-Fukudome > arm than Giles so RF is upgraded
3-Giles defense > Cruz Jr., Sledge so LF would be upgraded on defense
4-Crisp > Cameron OBP, BA & defense so it's an upgrade however small at less cost ( providing we don't resign Cameron now that he's going through his issues on the cheap )
5-Loretta/Antonelli/Stansberry/Blum > Giles production last year IMO so upgraded

We'd be upgrading LF, CF, RF and 2nd base............without questioin

[FmrFresnan]

5-Loretta/Antonelli/Stansberry/Blum > Giles production last year IMO so upgraded

He's got a point there....

Look, if the Padres do end up bringing both Clement and Prior on board and both are healthy for an entire season and can still bring it, those 2 would be the steal of the century. Let us not forget, KT seems like he's been able to find no-names who turn out to be stars, and possibly future closers (Heath Bell).

[padrefanforever]

Even if Prior doesn't happen...........Clement is an upgrade over Wells........and both are as likely to be injured during a season.......Hell nearly everyone you could take a flier on would be better than Wells

[FmrFresnan]

Agreed. I talked to Brian McTaggart of the Houston Chronicle this morning and he says Prior really wants to come home to San Diego, but are the Padres as interested in him as well? I know Prior has made it known that he'd like to pitch in San Diego, but what I haven't seen is if the Padres are as interested.

[padrefanforever]

Pads might just be waiting til the Cubs make the first move........no need to set your sights on someone that might not even be available

[FmrFresnan]

I think the Cubs are waiting on Prior. They weren't going to offer him a 1 year deal if he wasn't planning on being with them in 2009. If Prior wants to play in San Diego, I'm sure he would have made it known to the Cubs don't you?

[HollywoodLeo]

The whole "I want to play in San Diego" could be a ploy to try and pressure the Cubs into offering more.

[padrefanforever]

The whole "I want to play in San Diego" could be a ploy to try and pressure the Cubs into offering more.

I doubt that fully.........he is a local boy.....and this is a pitchers park.....and he's had nothing but rotten luck in Chicago......three things that would seem to make it clear why he especially wants to play here

[FmrFresnan]

He was born in San Diego, played his college ball at USC, does he need another reason to want to come back to So Cal?