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By Tim Dierkes [December 20, 2007 at 9:44am CST]
A few minor moves to speak of...
- The Cubs don't appear to be concerned about Brian Roberts' steroid admission.
- The Padres' talks for Xavier Nady are "on hold," according to Bill Center. Also, the Friars continue to eye Akinori Otsuka.
- Aside from the aforementioned Michael Barrett, the Padres signed Robert Fick and Jeff DaVanon. DaVanon, a switch-hitter, has had some decent years against righties. Ken Rosenthal believes the Padres may consider their outfield situation settled now after missing out on Geoff Jenkins and signing DaVanon.
- Todd Walker, remember him? He was released by the Padres this year in Spring Training and hooked on with Oakland. After a month and a half there, they designated him for assignment. He wasn't picked up, and enjoyed spending the time with his family. Now, however, the Rockies have had preliminary conversations with him according to Tracy Ringolsby. Walker played for the Rox in 2000, posting a .929 OPS in limited duty. He had another half season in Colorado in '01 before being traded to the Reds for Alex Ochoa.
- Excellent team blogs are going corporate - Bucco Blog was purchased by Baseball Interactive Media, and MetsBlog partnered with SNY. Both seem like positive developments for readers - Jake and Matthew maintain editorial control, but perhaps gain additional access and technology.
I've never really understood the distaste for Todd Walker. For 7 years from 2000-2006 he posted an OBP over .350. And while he might not have the speed to be a leadoff man that's definately better than positional average and a decent clip for a #2 man. I guess there are reservations about his range, but, whatever. If the José Valentins of the world keep finding work, what up with Todd?
Posted by: scootie puff jr. | December 20, 2007 at 10:10 AM
With the signing of Jeff DaVanon, the Padres might think their OF situation is settled?
Wow. Just wow.
Posted by: tolo316 | December 20, 2007 at 10:26 AM
Todd Walker is atrocious with the glove. Well, he just has very little range to speak of. Doesn't make sense for a team like the Rockies, one that has a thing for groundball inducing pitchers, to go after him.
The last time he played over 100 games at 2nd he made 16 errors. That was 2003.
Here's an interesting quote from PECOTA made in 2003:
"Walker isn’t fading away so much as he's continuing to be what he is. Because of his miserable defense, he may not even settle into a Keith Lockhart career path as he gets older. At some point, he’s going to have a bad year that wipes out his career faster than you can say “Carlos Baerga.”
Posted by: Darin | December 20, 2007 at 11:04 AM
we r going to have a platoon of DaVanon and harriston? How is that any better than a cruz/sledge platoon we started in '07? I guess we will get 4th place in the NL west this year...
I wonder if getting Fick means that barrett is on the way out?
Posted by: UCSDPadsFan | December 20, 2007 at 11:07 AM
wow...keith lockhart and carlos baerga in one paragraph...nice.
I always liked todd, despite him being horrible with the glove. on that basis he's almost like a powerless ryan braun that plays second base. in other words, they suck with the leather.
Posted by: Ya Hote Ta | December 20, 2007 at 11:41 AM