2008 Payroll

[FmrFresnan]

No, I said you have to spend money to make you better and address your needs. If you read any of my Yankees firing Joe Torre rants you would know that I am not a fan of spending money just to do it. You have to find the right people for the job, not the highest priced. Proud to make you proud

"You have to find the right people for the job, not the highest priced"....Rowand would fall into both those categories. He's someone the Padres would love to have, but the money he's asking for has pushed him out of the picture.

[love_that_reefer]

Hunter and Jones will be the most expensive, not Rowand and no he hasn't priced himself out of the Padres range.

[FmrFresnan]

I just don't think the Padres are willing to fork out $14M/year for Rowand, there are going to be teams that will. Which is the reason Towers has been looking to trade for a Center Fielder instead of looking through Free Agency. The names that have come up are Coco Crisp and, just recently, Tony Gwynn Jr, who really doesn't have a spot in Milwaukee.

[love_that_reefer]

And I don't think Rowand will get this magical $14 mil/yr. arlos Silva think he is going to get more than $11 million, doesn't make it so does it?

[FmrFresnan]

If it's not exactly $14M/year, it'll be in the range I've been saying, $12M - $14M/year. I think there's a team out there that will give him that.

When I said Rowand priced himself out of the Padres range, it meant that it was more than what San Diego would be willing to pay him.

[HollywoodLeo]

HWood, let me ask you a question and maybe you can confirm this opinion for me. I've been of the opinion, and Reefer disagrees, that what Aaron Rowand is looking for is out of the Padres range. Do you see that as accurate or do you think they should pony up $12M - $14M/year over 5 years for him?

I don't think Rowand is worth quite that much, but I think the Padres could very well afford to spend that. (Although they'd be taking a risk by doing so like they did with Nevin and Klesko)

But the thing is, their payroll isn't that big right now and they're looking in house to fill 2nd base (Stransberry) and looking at pitcher(s) for the 4 and/or 5 spot that could come cheap due to injury risk (Clement/Prior)...makes me wonder if they're saving up for a CF signing.

[FmrFresnan]

There has been some talk recently that they may talk to Milwaukee about Tony Gwynn Jr. I just don't think the Padres will be willing to give Rowand a 5 year deal for that kind of money. It absolutely does reek of the Nevin and Klesko deals that got them in trouble financially.

[love_that_reefer]

Rowand is ten times the athlete Klesko and Nevin were. Aaron is coming off an All Star, GG season in which he helped a team get into the playoffs. Most teams are looking at Rowand as a backup to Hunter and Jones so I don't see him getting much more than Brynes did.

[HollywoodLeo]

Hunter and Jones being on the market might help make Rowand more accessible to the Padres.

[FmrFresnan]

It's a nice wish to be sure, I'm just not holding my breath. You have a point HWood about going cheap on a 4 and 5 starter as well as filling 2nd base internally. Could be an inside move to land a top CF'er but, again, I'm not holding my breath.

[HollywoodLeo]

I've learned to never hold my breath in regards to free agency and the Padres.

I thought they had enough to spend last year as well with Klesko, Woody, and CHP coming off the books.

(Of course, they did give 10 mil to Maddux)

[FmrFresnan]

I've learned to never hold my breath in regards to free agency and the Padres.

I thought they had enough to spend last year as well with Klesko, Woody, and CHP coming off the books.

(Of course, they did give 10 mil to Maddux)

We can't really say that Maddux wasn't worth it, he sure made everyone else better just with his presence, no question about it.

Tony Gwynn Jr. intrigues me for some reason. I know he's a young player, mostly unproven, but I'm curious how he would do in the city that Gwynn made famous. Be some BIG shoes to fill for sure.

[HollywoodLeo]

I'm curious how many Padres fans would want TG Jr as much as they do if his name was John Doobersmith.

[FmrFresnan]

My reasoning for wanting him really had nothing to do with his dad. I like his ability and I think he could do very well here for a long time to come. Especially having his dad as a hitting coach during the offseason, is there anyone better to learn from?

[padrefanforever]

I'm curious how many Padres fans would want TG Jr as much as they do if his name was John Doobersmith.

Post a pole for Padre fans and see who wants him here ?