Padres decline Mackowiak's option. (I know, big surprise)

[HollywoodLeo]

San Diego Padres, Rob Mackowiak, Major League Baseball - CBSSports.com

On an unrelated note, I don't like sportsline.com's new look

[love_that_reefer]

It's a big surprise since they were saying a couple of days ago they were going to pick it up. No real loss though.

[padrefanforever]

Not a surprise to the fans down here...........and it frees up 3m to be better utilized......maybe in signing Loretta to challege for the starting job at 2nd.....


Great move

[FmrFresnan]

Anyone interested in signing Curt Schilling to a 1-year deal?

[HollywoodLeo]

I wouldn't mind it.

I'd definitely be for it if Maddux doesn't pick up his option. (I'm assuming the Padres have every intention of picking up the option, but it's a mutual one so Greg has to agree)

[FmrFresnan]

How long does Greg have to either accept or decline his option?

[HollywoodLeo]

Honestly, I don't know and I don't know where to go to look that up.

[FmrFresnan]

According to Schilling's website, San Diego is on his list of teams he would consider playing for next season. He's only wanting a one year deal and I think he makes the Padres' pitching staff that much stronger. Can you imagine a rotation with Jake Peavy, Chris Young, Greg Maddux and Curt Schilling? Should make us the favorites in the NL West, no question about it.

[HollywoodLeo]

I wouldn't jump to the conclusion of us being "favorites" if Torre cause the Dodgers to be able to pick up A-Rod, Mariano, and Pettite, but that'd definitely be a good rotation.

[padrefanforever]

Schilling..........no thanks...........If Maddux doesn't come back for some reason, that's 10m to add a frontline younger arm for years to come........no need to do the overpriced 1 year rental of the old ass guy with they way we're financially situated.........we're finally in a spot to actually sign quality guys to multi-year deals.......so no thanks

[HollywoodLeo]

what "frontline younger arm for years to come" is available? And for only 10 mil per year, no less?

[FmrFresnan]

I wouldn't jump to the conclusion of us being "favorites" if Torre cause the Dodgers to be able to pick up A-Rod, Mariano, and Pettite, but that'd definitely be a good rotation.

Pettite has already said it's the Yankees or retirement, so you can count out the Dodgers. I think it's a HUGE mistake for them to sign ARod to the kind of money he's looking for and as for Rivera, he'll retire a Yankee so scratch him out as well.

[padrefanforever]

what "frontline younger arm for years to come" is available? And for only 10 mil per year, no less?

You're right.....I should have specified better.......but I consider a #2-3 rotation armx still frontline ......

I would think plenty of tough #2-3 type arms could be had for less than 10m......especially if we move on this now and don't wait to get someone locked up......the long we wait, the more those spots will make (obviously).....

I did NOT mean to imply "ace" or "#1" by using the term "frontline"......if thats how it came across in text sorry.......

And if we don't bring back Maddux, and don't sign Schilling, I'd much rather see that money offered to Peavy NOW while he's still under control and not that close to FA.......longterm financial security will appeal to him from an injury standpoint, and keeping him longterm in a Padres uni appeals to .......well.........everyone associated with the Padres from fans to FO.........Even if we keep Maddux, I'd like to see them look to get this done this year, again the longer they wait the more they will pay. Get this done before a guy like Santana hits FA.

[FmrFresnan]

I'd agree with you if Schilling was looking for a multi-year deal, but he's only looking for a 1-year. I don't think that's too much too actually think about. You bring a guy of his caliber on board and you just made this pitching staff that much stronger behind Peavy, CY, Maddux and possibly Clement or Hensley.

[BoSox34]

Schilling is going to want atleast the same as he made last season, which was around $13 million. But, as was being mentioned above, it's good to know that he isn't wanting anything more than a one year deal or that's what he has said atleast. I think he would compliment Peavy and Maddux very well in the Padres rotation and it will only help him pitching in the NL.