2008-2009 Offseason thread

[love_that_reefer]

I like Eckstein a lot better at second these days than I do as at SS. Eckstein came up as a second baseman and should retire as one too.

[love_that_reefer]

The San Diego Union Tribune reports that "the Padres apparently need to trade a high-salaried player either before or during the season ... to meet the $40 million payroll mandated by club chairman John Moores."
The team is currently about $5 million over budget and Jake Peavy, Brian Giles, Adrian Gonzalez and Chris Young are the only Padres making over $3 million. Peavy and Giles both have no-trade clauses.

I can see it now. In Spring Training, Rich Harden's shoulder turns out to be worse than expected and the Cubs finally get Peavy.

[padrefanforever]

Cubs seem to be collecting the pitchers by trade that could make a Peavy deal happen before then......

[padrefanforever]

Bell and the Padres avoided Arbi yesterday.........

[love_that_reefer]

Padres signed Henry Blanco today after Ausmus chose the Dodgers over the Padres. Not necessarily a bad thing.

[catman]

Blanco is a very capable back-up. He can hit a little, and has a very good arm. He is a good handler of pitchers as well. I think the Padres will be happy with him.

[padrefanforever]

Good mentor hopefully, which is probably all they were looking for anyway

[padrefanforever]

Kyle Blanks will likely get time in the OF soon.........about damn time

Link

[HollywoodLeo]

I can see it now. In Spring Training, Rich Harden's shoulder turns out to be worse than expected and the Cubs finally get Peavy.

I'm not so sure about this anymore.

Chicago Cubs get Seattle Mariners' Aaron Heilman for two players - ESPN

[padrefanforever]

Sandy Alderson essentially said yesterday that Peavy wasn't going anywhere and the latest rumors about the Cubs are pure speculation......guess so eh

[love_that_reefer]

Jayson Stark of ESPN.com reports that the Padres and Cliff Floyd have agreed to terms on a one-year contract worth less than $1 million in guaranteed money.
Floyd was said to be considering retirement after the Rays declined their $3 million option on him for 2009, but instead returns to what will likely be a bench role for a non-contender. Barring a trade the Padres have Chase Headley in left field and Brian Giles in right field, so the 36-year-old Floyd may be limited to pinch-hitting duties.

Maybe Floyd can play RF if Giles is traded at some point during the season. He can alos help out at first and LF.

[padrefanforever]

Not a huge fan of this move........I think I'd have rather we resigned Sweeney as our lefty bat off the bench......but at least he's not a POS

[love_that_reefer]

Padres signed outfielder Emil Brown to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
Brown had a lot of trouble finding work after finishing at .244/.297/.386 for the A's last season. He still hits lefties pretty well, so he could be of use if strictly kept in a reserve role. However, the Padres may not carry him. Unless they choose to keep just one reserve infielder, it's hard to see the team finding room for Brown along with fourth outfielder Scott Hairston and pinch-hitter Cliff Floyd.

...

[padrefanforever]

It's a total who cares signing........he's going to have a hard time cracking our AAA OF roster......especially if Blanks proves he can play LF .......

[love_that_reefer]

Padres cleanup man Adrian Gonzalez has recommended Mexican pitcher Walter Silva, and the Padres have looked into signing the right-hander, who had a 4.21 ERA with 60 strikeouts and 49 walks in 115 1/3 innings with Monterrey in the Mexican League last year. Gonzalez said he believes Silva, 32, can become a reliable No. 4 or No. 5 starter in the major leagues.

Horrible K/BB ratio and a 4.21 in the Mexican League won;t turn heads either. Leave the talent evaluation to the scouts and front office there big boy.