Towers Angry, May Make Changes

Padres GM Kevin Towers got angry last night, pointing out his team’s many flaws.  He suggested that wholesale changes may be on the way.  Minor leaguers would be called up as a group; he doesn’t want Chase Headley to feel too much pressure.  The Jake Peavy injury might be the nail in the coffin, though at least Peavy’s ulnar collateral ligament is said to be intact. 

Which players would be part of a veteran purge?

Greg Maddux.  The Padres’ highest paid player at $10MM, Mad Dog is calling his own shots at this point.  I imagine he’d prefer to stay put, but fans have speculated on returns to Atlanta or Chicago.

Brian Giles.  The team’s leadoff hitter still knows how to draw a walk.  He doesn’t hit lefties much but his overall numbers would look a lot better away from Petco.  He earns $9MM this year and has a $3MM buyout for ’09.  He can block trades to eight teams and gets a $2MM increase if dealt.  Does Seattle make sense?

Trevor Hoffman.  Even if Hoffman loses the closer gig a trade seems unlikely.

Randy Wolf.  He might be one of the Padres’ more tradeable commodities.  He’s signed reasonably and just needs to remain healthy.  Everyone needs pitching.

Khalil Greene.  Greene gets $4.5MM this year and $6.5MM in ’09.  A trade only makes sense if a good young shortstop comes back for Greene or in anothe deal.  Ken Rosenthal doesn’t expect him to be moved; same goes for Chris Young, Adrian Gonzalez, and Kevin Kouzmanoff.

Others: Tadahito Iguchi, Tony Clark, Shawn Estes, Michael Barrett (if healthy).