Padres Still Looking For Young Center Fielder

Yesterday Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune wrote of Kevin Towers' pursuit of a long-term center field option.  Jim Edmonds remains a question mark, and his contract is up after '08 anyway.

Krasovic says the Cubs "have kept tabs" on shortstop Khalil Greene, while the Padres are still eyeing Felix Pie.  The Cubs' win-now approach could lead to that move, as Reed Johnson is doing fine in center field so far.  Greene is signed through the '09 season.  Trading Greene would leave a gaping hole at the position for the Padres though.  Another point is that the Cubs have gotten fine production at shortstop so far this year.

Krasovic notes past center field considerations for the Padres such as Jeremy Reed and Tony Gwynn Jr.  Reed doesn't seem to have a future in Seattle.  As for Coco Crisp, Towers balked at Theo Epstein's asking price of Chase Headley.

Comments

[ColonelTom]

Epstein asked for Chase Headley in exchange for Coco Crisp? Seriously? That's like one of those Baseball Mogul offers that gets the response, "Gee, I didn't know I had MORON painted on my forehead."

[milehigh78]

Crisp for Headley?! What's Theo smoking. Guess you can't blame the guy for tryin', but... 'Yes, I WOULD like to trade this promising potential future All Star who costs next to nothing for a whiny average-at-best CF'er who will cost more while likely providing less. Awesome! While we're at it, can I offer you Matt Antonelli and Matt Latos for that moldy pair of goggles Gagne left in his locker?! Pair for a pair!'

At least Pie offers upside, though I think it's funny how the 'untouchable' tune has changed in just one month. Didn't the O's ask about Pie and get the brush-off?

Also, it's worth asking: does anyone really think Cedeno is going to keep this up? I haven't really watched him or kept track of crap like BABiP, but based solely on past experience and gut instinct, I would bet against his continued excellence.

[Tim Dierkes]

Just looking at his minor league track record I think Cedeno can post an .800 OPS in the bigs.

[bjsguess]

They could add Willits for very little.

The guy will post an OBP north of 370, steal 30+ bases and cost nothing in terms of payroll. Plays CF and leads off.

I'm sure the asking price would be much, much lower than Headley. The Padres can also keep Greene at SS.

[cwilli]

Using Greene as the centerpiece in a trade to get Pie and Cedeno would be nice. Greene would be a 30+ home run bat in Wrigley, and the Padres would get some much needed athleticism. Right now the team is old and slow and in a few weeks when they continue to struggle a trade like this would be a good start towards turning over the roster. Next year having Antonelli at second, Headley in left, Pie in center, Cedeno at short would be a nice influx of youth and would increase the number of players under team control for an extended period of time.

The Cubs would probably want something else in the trade on top of Greene. Also I am sure people will say that Greene's numbers are down this year, but that is just the type of player he is. He will go a few weeks looking like he has no business in the big leagues then hit five home runs the nex week.

[AirmanSD]

I laugh cause we are trying to get younger, and they want youth for crisp... not going to happen. But it was worth a try i guess for Boston's view point.

Willits would be a nice addition the problem is I don't think we have something that the Angels would want in return. Unless they really want bullpen arms.

Greene to the cubs makes some sense, but why now, only cause Greene is at a low point, and we would not get full value for him a the moment. I think if he moves it wont be anytime soon, more like the deadline deal. That also gives more time to see if Cedeno comes back to earth form his start.

Like the story said we have lots of young pitching that is promising, so trading pitching is a possibility as well, as long as it for something young with team control for several years.

[04Forever]

i think, even as a red sox fan, id pee myself laughing if theo could pull that off somehow. i dont know though, the padres and red sox have always had pretty good trading relations, its always possible, i dont know about chase being the guy the sox get though...

[Papelboner]

I think Theo's asking price is high, but rightfully so. There is no sense in trading a (so far) productive Crisp, who is hitting .291 with 4 SB and continuing to play superb defense. Obviously Ellsbury is the CF of the present and future in Boston, but giving away Coco for anything less than a proven bullpen arm or legit prospect makes no sense for this years team. Especially with Kielty out with a broken hand, Ellsbury nursing a sore hammy, and time off needed for both Manny and Drew throughout the year.

[Cubsin2100]

If the Cubs move Pie for Greene (even not straight up)... I WILL become a Sox fan... I have no desire for the career .250 BA, and noway is 25 hrs the norm. Ronny/ Theriot will more than suffice...

You also have to consider The-riot is a fan favorite (I'm guilty...) and benching him would make the fans angry

[Aduncaroo]

I think it would probably take a good prospect, along with Greene, to pry away two guys who have big upside (Obviousoly Pie more than Cedeno) and are under cheap control for many years. Even if it was a hard throwing relief prospect, which the Cubs could use to bridge the gap between the starter and Howry/Marmol/Wood...not to mention two of those three will be free agents next winter...and with Howry's type A status, I think he is more valuable to the Cubs signing with someone else after this season. I am hoping that Ceda can make this club next year, but he needs to get his control issue in check.

[AA]

At this point, the Angels seem to be very happy with Erick Aybar and have him under control for 6 years including this one, as I don't see him getting Super 2 status after being injured most of last year. Like I said in another section, he plays better defense, he is faster, more athletic and has similar power potential.

I also see them potentially sitting on Willits if Garret Anderson's poor start turns out to be a serious decline, because I don't see them wanting to keep Rivera around. Besides, Willits is Mike Scioscia's kind of player and the team really doesn't need more power, given Kotchman's realization of his potential. Further, the combination of Figgins, Willits and Aybar would create absolute havoc on the basepaths for opponents and probably drive the power numbers up even more. I see Willits sticking around and being used similarly to how Gary Matthews is now, as he can play all 3 positions in the outfield.

[crunchy1]

I’d rather the Cubs stay away from Greene. Theriot is doing a fine job and Cedeno has shown to be a nice complement. The Cubs are developing a style of play – getting on base, aggressiveness on the base paths and an energetic offense – that Greene simply doesn’t fit into. And people need to get past the sabermetric evaluation of Theriot. The Cubs will be a worse team with Greene in the lineup...but I’m sure somebody will throw WARP’s or something at me that “proves” otherwise. The Cubs should think about upgrades to the bullpen and possibly the starting staff.

[cwilli]

I like how people think that Greene is some below average SS. He plays gold glove defense was the team MVP last year, and would have hit 20hrs the two years prior if he had not been hurt. His OPS away from Petco last year was .840. At home .670. Petco makes position players appear to have less value. Take Adrian Gonzales' splits last year. Home .266/.335/.424 10hrs and 36 RBIs on the Road .295/.358/.570 20hrs 64RBIs. If he plays all his games on the road 40hrs 128RBIs.

[crunchy1]

He could improve that OPS at home if he decides to take a pitch every so often. Can't use the park as an excuse there. I'm not evaluating Greene as a player though. He just doesn't fit with what the Cubs are doing. The Cubs should use their resources toward upgrading the bullpen.

[RynoRules]

Greene isn't bad, but the Cubs don't need him. They have two players in Theriot and Cedeno that are cheap and solid contributors.

What the Cubs need is a #2 starter. If I'm Jim Hendry, I offer Pie, Murton, a couple of the Cubs' young arms (e.g. Gallagher and Sean Marshall, but probably not Rich Hill) for Chris Young (I am assuming Peavy is off the table), and see if Towers will bite.

I don't expect Towers to agree to that, but that's the only type of trade that I can see that helps the Cubs THIS YEAR. For the Padres to consider a move along those lines, they would probably be conceding that they aren't going to contend this year or next.

[AA]

cwilli - No one is saying Greene is a poor player. Everyone knows he is an asset with both his glove and bat. The question is, which team needs him and whether the Padres can afford to trade him. Lets run down a few teams.

D'Backs - Greene would be an upgrade, but in division and AZ probably doesn't want to mess with anything right now.

Angels - Looked good before the Spring, but Aybar is the real deal and looks to be as good or better than Greene in every possible way.

Cubs - If it ain't broke... Theriot is the kind of guy who puts butts in seats, inspires a team and brings the intangibles. I agree that Sabermetrics need to fly out the window at times, but even the stats this year aren't lying. The guy is hitting well over .300 with half a dozen steals.

[AriGoldisaG]

Ryno you're right about the Cubs needing a legit #2 pitcher. That's why I think a nice trade for both sides would be Rich Harden (After he's pitched in 5 or so good outings) for, I know I'm gonna get heat, Vitters, and maybe a low level pitching prospect.

Assuming (Hoping) that Harden comes back healthy, that trade would be great for both sides. The cubs get a Cy young potential guy, and the A's get a 3B of the future.

[bjsguess]

It was just a few months ago and Cubs fans were willing to trade their hot young SS's for next to nothing. It's amazing how much stock people here place on less than 100 AB's.

Theriot is awful. You do remember the guy right. The one that posted a 672 OPS last year. That number is also suspiciously close to his minor league career number of 692. Sure he looks great after 94AB's but when his OPS drops TWO HUNDRED points, back down to his projected levels, he will become very expendable.

Cedeno is harder to evaluate. He's had two really good stints in AAA. He appears to have the skills to be a solid MLB SS. Projecting an OPS of 750-800 is reasonable. Just keep in mind that right now he is sitting at 962. He will also drop another 200 or so points in his OPS.

Between those two guys Cub fans have to be loving life right now. Just know that neither player is remotely close to being as good as their early 2008 numbers indicate.

[dodgerblue8787]

i am a scorekeeper for the lancaster jethawks. and the redsox have so many good outfielders there its insane. they need to trade crisp for a bullpen arm and get it over with. and greene is a awesome shortstop he just got the bad luck of playing in pitching paradise.

[Aduncaroo]

I agree with a couple of things here:

Greene is an upgrade over both Theriot and Cedeno. However, if you trade Cedeno and get back Greene, you would have Theriot still getting significant playing time between playing 2b when Derosa needs time off and when he is playing another postion subbing for Ramirez, Soriano, Fukudome etc...and playing SS to give Greene a day off now and then.

I also totally agree with Ryno, that the Cubs NEED a #2 pitcher about 5 times more than any other upgrade. Hardin is a good choice, but Beane would have to absolutely pillage our farm system to the tune of two of Pie, Gallagher, Vitters, and maybe, if not probably, even more.

I am actually kind of hoping for Burnett, as I think he would cost less. Both are injury prone, which is scary....but there just isn't that much available right now. Young would be awesome, but I don't see towers trading him, even if they aren't competing. Maybe if they are 15 games out at the deadline...but even then...not sure. Wonder how he and D Lee would get along.

[Logger]

The Pads can have Jeremy Reed for a bag of peanuts. Warm and salted please.

[kcbatterup]

Why don't they trade with the Royals for David DeJesus or Gathright? We need a SS to replace Tony Pena Jr.

[Aduncaroo]

I don't think they are looking to trade Greene...they would probably prefer to get a *young* CF without giving him up if possible. I'm sure they would have to give up something more valuable if they want a blue chip type prospect though...

[integr96]

for cubs fans that say the cubs need a reliever i would say go with ascanio. he has been pitching quite well at AAA. And you also have scott eyre coming back. He pitched in AA today and if he feels fine I wouldnt be surprised to see him back in the bigs within 10 days. Their bullpen is all out of whack right now and getting eyre back alone might right the ship, but ascanio is there if needed.

[sdpadrefan.com]

I wonder how much truth there was to the offseason rumor of Headley to the Pirates for Nate McLouth and X Nady. If anyone is keeping track, those two combined to go 6-for-7 with 3 doubles, 6 RBI, 3 BB's, and 5 runs today against the Mets.

current stats:
McClouth: .342, 7 HR, 25 RBI, 12 2B
Nady: .337, 4 HR, 26 RBI. 9 2B)

It might have just been a rumor but if it wasn't, I imagine Kevn Towers is kicking himself right about now for not pulling that one off.

[Aduncaroo]

I think the back of the Cubs bullpen is terriffic, and wouldn't dream of touching it. I just think that they need a couple of guys to bridge the gap. If Wuertz can get it back together, he would take care of it. I think Hart might need a little seasoning in AAA. I would bring up ascanio and send Hart down, then probably switch Eyre for Marshall...and let Marshall get stretched back out as a starter in time for the trade deadline

[rizdak]

Could the Pads dangle Maddux at the trading deadline for a younger OF? I mean, CF is not the only problem. LF and RF are not exactly great for them either.

[AA]

When are people going to learn that OPS isn't the only metric that exists. Big deal if Theriot only hits a few homeruns (he did hit 30 doubles last year), which will kill his OPS because his slugging percentage will be low. He has shown the ability, in the minors and majors, to hit over .300, make contact, not strike out and run. The guy isn't there to be Barry Bonds and isn't going to be paid that kind of money. Lets not forget that Greene struck out 128 times last year and had an OBP of .291.

[joemorgan=#1]

AA;
Batting average is the most overrated stats for hitters right up there with rbi. Now I would't mind the slugging if he actually got on base but guess what? He doesn't. Greene is better defensively but really I don't think the cubs need him either. They need starters.
I could see the pads go after reed and gwynn. I think gwynn could be real prouctive in petco.

[AriGoldisaG]

It's like I said Aduncaroo, I think that with this recent injury you won't have to worry about you're entire farm system coming to oakland. But I think that if any trade is possible Beane would demand Vitters. Then maybe a couple of low level prospects. Because as we speak Harden's trade value plummets, and as an A's fan, I know as does everyone else in Baseball Harden could be worth a lot more than Vitters and a couple of low level prospects. But now after being out for a month I think it is safe to say that Beane can't demand much more than 1 maybe 2 top line prospects.

[darkstar1661]

“When are people going to learn that OPS isn't the only metric that exists. Big deal if Theriot only hits a few homeruns”

Its actually quite simple. Think of it this way:

.324 / .346 / .679
.363 / .359 / .722

…Which one do you want?

An OPS of .725-ish or higher for a middle infielder ~ no questions asked really, they are serviceable or better. OPS under .700 though means the lack SLG isnt being made up for by ability to get on base (or vise versa). Its not expected for Theriot to be a huge SLG threat, but his lack of SLG better be made up through the ability to get on base ~ a OPS under 700 is showing he isnt doing that either.

…That being said, I think Theriot is a fine overall short-term stopgap for the Cubs in either the SS or 2B spot. He isnt going to be amazing, but he will hold his own and is a fan fav. If they trade for a guy like Roberts or Greene, there should be no problem playing Ryan in the empty spot. Theriot held better numbers consistently till the last month of last season ~ his overall numbers look worse because of a crash that shouldn’t be expected to happen again.

[hitttman]

How about the Pads trade for some .00TEAM LEADERSHIP and .00THE WILL TO WIN. The only players that are playing with any heart are Bard and Giles.

[hitttman]

Sorry, I forgot to mention Hairston.

[TheGrinch]

I don't care about trading Felix Pie, but NOT for Khalil Greene. Ryan Theriot and/or Ronny Cedeno is 5X better than him and have been much more productive. .224 BA, 0 HR and 22 K's already this year? Yuck...

If you're going to trade Pie to the Padres, see if you can get some decent pitching back. Maybe a solid reliever or another starter. With the Padres doing so horribly, maybe they'll unload one of their decent veteran pitchers. Do you think we could get Maddux if they bury themselves enough? Maddux might jump at the chance to win in Chicago to finish his career.

We need somebody. Either put Lieber in the rotation or someone else. I'm tired of watching Marquis and Lilly pitch, even though Lilly's been better as of late.

By the way, the Cubs just won 19-5. Why isn't it one of the top stories on Baseball Tonight, Sportscenter, or even on one of the ESPN baseball page sidebars? What's at the top? You guessed it, a story about A-Rod. What a joke.

[Aduncaroo]

Can we all just talk about Geovanny freaking Soto for a bit??

Dark...I know you are anxious, right? Man that guy is looking like an all star catcher in his rookie year!

Whats funny is that ESPN opened the broadcast saying it was a great night to be pitching at Wrigley. Tell that to Suppan and Turnbow!

[studio179]

Today you can tell that to Wood. I hope the Cubs stay away from Greene. If an eventual trade needs to be made later this year, it will be pitching.