2010 Potential Lineup and Roster ?

[padrefanforever]

Just for shits and giggles I'm posting something I wrote up, and thought I'd share to see if we can get a thread going.....

Possible Lineup and Active Roster

The 2010 season is almost upon us and fans everywhere are starting to speculate on the who/what/where/when & how's of the Padres lineup. It appears that they are successfully moving toward a team based more on being athletic and fundamentally sound, who can run and cause havoc on the basepaths. With few regular position spots still open, what really remains is to figure out who on the active roster will fill the starting roles. There are choices, and while a few might not be popular, with some fans, they could be in the teams best interest overall.

Starting lineup - ( not batting order )
1. 1b - Adrian Gonzalez
2. 2b - David Eckstein ( should be Jerry Hairston Jr.)
3. SS - Everth Cabrera
4. 3b - Chase Headley
5. LF - Kyle Blanks
6. CF - Scott Hairston
7. RF - Will Venable ( should be Aaron Cunningham )
8. C - Nick Hundley

Bench -
9. C - Yorvit Torrealba
10. U/OFer- Tony Gwynn Jr. ( should be Will Venable )
11. If/OF- Jerry Hairston Jr.
12. U/If- Oscar Salazar
13. DH/OF - Matt Stairs

Starting Pitchers -
14. Chris Young
15. Jon Garland
16. Kevin Correia
17. Clayton Richard ( I say this name based on who has options left, should be Mat Latos )
18. Sean Gallagher* ( I say this name based on who has options left, should be Richard or LeBlanc )

Bullpen -
19. Tim Stauffer*
20. Adam Russell ( or Gallagher )
21. Luke Gregerson
22. Edward Mujica ( or Gallagher )
23. Joe Thatcher ( or Gallagher )
24. Mike Adams
25. Heath Bell

Now I have an issue with a couple of things I'd like to put out there......

First is David Eckstein starting at 2nd base. While I'm a pretty big Eck fan, I don't think he brings to the table as many daily tools as Jerry Hairston Jr. does. Hairston will likely hit for a better BA, OBP & Slg pct., has much better speed and is a legit threat to steal a base, has good defensive skills and probably more range and for sure a better arm.... So I would start Jerry Hairston Jr. over David Eckstein at 2nd base.

Second is our 5th Starting Pitcher being Sean Gallagher. I think he's the guy that will ultimately get the job, and not because he's our best option, but instead because other guys like Mat Latos and Wade LeBlanc still have OPTIONS left and can be moved down to Portland without having to drop them from the roster or try and pass them through waivers. In my opinion Mat Latos has EARNED a starting position, but there simply isn't any room. I also think Wade LeBlanc has made a serious case for himself as well, but again there is simply no room at the inn. Neither of these guys can afford to sit in the bullpen either both must continue to work so I think they are off to AAA.

Third is Tony Gwynn Jr. making this team over guys like Aaron Cunningham or even Chris Denorfia. I am of the opinion that if Tony Gwynn Jr.'s name was Tom Smith, he wouldn't even be in the big leagues right now, and while I'm a huge fan of his fathers, I'm not a big fan of his. Aaron Cunningham brings a much more complete set of tools with decent power and a better arm to the table, and should get the 4th OFer role on this team, maybe even the starting RF job over Will Venable, but I doubt this will happen.

So these are good problems to have, but we could see an active roster that doesn't necessarily have our best players on it. Makes for a very bright future going forward to be sure.

Play Ball !!!

[HollywoodLeo]

I'd agree with you on Latos except he tweaked his shoulder and there's no point in rushing him.

[DirtyKash]

Venable has been destroying spring training so I don't have a problem with that. As far as Latos, doesn't look like the shoulder is a problem, he's starting today's spring training game.

[HollywoodLeo]

As long as he's healthy I think Latos should be in the rotation.

FWIW, I got this off Gallagher's sportsline.com player page.

Gallagher appears headed to 'pen: MLB.com reports that Clayton Richard and Mat Latos are expected to nail down the Padres' final two rotation spots, leaving Sean Gallagher in the bullpen.
(Updated 03/28/2010).

However, yahoo fantasy baseball notes on Mat Latos still says this.

• Sun, Mar 28
  Latos (elbow), who tossed a bullpen session on Saturday, is now likely to begin the season in Triple-A Portland, the North County Times reports.
  Recommendation: It makes sense for the Padres to take it easy with their top pitching prospect, while Latos is more eager to go. "It was just tightness is really all it was," Latos said. "I kept playing catch and stretched it out." In addition to Latos' injury, both Tim Stauffer and Sean Gallagher, both out of options, are pitching well this spring. Clearly, this gives Latos a window of recovery and gives the organization time to evaluate the other pitchers. Don't be surprised if the Padres keep Latos and his 150-inning limit in the minors for a little while.
  (Rotowire.com)

[padrefanforever]

Which means "the real staff ace" Tim Stauffer would need to be place on waivers....and he'll be claimed.....I think at this point that would be a mistake, and you all should remember what a not so huge fan of Stauffer's I am......but he appears healthy, and is starting to deal pretty well...

I've heard that he may start the year on the DL just to try and prolong his move to waivers....

[HollywoodLeo]

I wouldn't want to lose Stauffer at this point, but I also wouldn't want to put him in the rotation if someone else is otherwise earning it over him.

[padrefanforever]

Stauffer to the pen.....Gallagher to the rotation.......Latos to AAA to work on his stamina (only because of who has options left) this way we keep them all for now.....

Or package up Stauffer with someone like Antonelli and maybe Hunter and trade them for some minor leaguers to fill a need like catching.......Hell include Gwynn if it gets it done

[DirtyKash]

Richard is #4, Latos is #5. Denorfia, Stewart, LeBlanc to Triple-A.

Yay! Pumped for Latosownage.

[padrefanforever]

Sweeeeeeeeet........Thatcher to the DL is being rumored and that will open up the spot......nice

[realmofotalk]

First is David Eckstein starting at 2nd base. While I'm a pretty big Eck fan, I don't think he brings to the table as many daily tools as Jerry Hairston Jr. does. Hairston will likely hit for a better BA, OBP & Slg pct., has much better speed and is a legit threat to steal a base, has good defensive skills and probably more range and for sure a better arm....

So despite that Eckstein is inferior in every physical tool that one needs to play second base at the MLB level, you're a pretty big fan because...why?

No wait, don't tell me. It's because he tries very, very hard!!

[HollywoodLeo]

His GRIT+, HEART+, and MOXIE+ are through the roof.

[padrefanforever]

So despite that Eckstein is inferior in every physical tool that one needs to play second base at the MLB level, you're a pretty big fan because...why?

No wait, don't tell me. It's because he tries very, very hard!!

Actually that's about it....he's the guy that you year people saying things like "I wish all my players had your heart....etc..."

I'm a huge fan of guys that give 100%......and think the majority of players don't, and that some should be fined for playing halfassed

[realmofotalk]

Why the hell are we allowed to assume that he is among the so-called minority of players who gives 100%? Just because he's a freaking midget?

[HollywoodLeo]

Actually that's about it....he's the guy that you year people saying things like "I wish all my players had your heart....etc..."

I'm a huge fan of guys that give 100%......and think the majority of players don't, and that some should be fined for playing halfassed

I like players that give it their all as well, but in the end the guy still has to perform.

I can go out there and give it my all, and I would, but I don't think anyone would want to sit through the gigantic hole that would be in the line-up thanks to my inability to hit major league pitching.

[padrefanforever]

Why the hell are we allowed to assume that he is among the so-called minority of players who gives 100%? Just because he's a freaking midget?

It's far from an assumption.....This is MY opinion based on 40 years of watching / playing / coaching and interviewing baseball players.

Do you think for some reason that I want Eck starting for us ? If so, what the hell gives you that wrong idea ?