Padres To Slash Payroll In ’09?

Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune writes of a rumor that the Padres might slash payroll from this year’s $73.6MM way down to $40MM.  The Padres reportedly explained this scenario to Brian Giles in an attempt to get him to accept a trade to Boston last week.  Krasovic heard about the pitch via Giles’ teammates, but wasn’t able to draw any comments from GM Kevin Towers.  Scott Miller believes owner John Moores’ divorce is a factor.

The Padres don’t have any large contracts on the books for ’09; Giles would be their most expensive player at $9MM unless they choose his $3MM buyout.  After that it’s Jake Peavy at $8MM, Khalil Greene at $6.5MM, Chris Young at $4.5MM, and Adrian Gonzalez at $3MM.  By my count they have six arbitration-eligible players, including Josh Bard, Heath Bell, Scott Hairston, and Jody Gerut.  The Padres could retain Giles and still be under $45MM, though that’d leave no money for free agents.