 |
|
|
| |
« Epstein Agrees To Extension | Main | Angels Intend To Hold Line On Payroll »
Padres To Non-Tender Bard
According to MLB.com's Corey Brock, the Padres plan to non-tender catcher Josh Bard this winter. They'll use Nick Hundley as the starting catcher in '09, and may add a veteran backup like Brad Ausmus.
Bard is out for the year with a strained triceps. He hit .202/.279/.270 in 198 plate appearances, also dealing with an ankle injury. The Padres would've had to pay him at least $1.79MM in '09. It's not a bad situation for Bard, though - he'll reach free agency without putting in six years of service. He'll be 30 in March as will join a weak free agent market for catchers. Small sample size, but in his last healthy season (2007) Bard hit .330/.386/.456 away from PETCO.
With Bard out of the picture, the Padres have $42.4MM committed for '09 plus arbitration raises to Jody Gerut, Scott Hairston, Heath Bell, and Clay Hensley. It seems possible the Padres could exercise Brian Giles' option and re-sign Trevor Hoffman without going too far past a $50MM payroll. Giles is included in the $42.4MM figure.
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d834515b9a69e2010534b2116d970c
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Padres To Non-Tender Bard:
Comments
Verify your Comment
Previewing your Comment
This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.
As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.
Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.
Top Stories
Search MLBTR
MLBTR Features
Recent Posts
Rumors By Team
Monthly Archives
Live Chats
Tuesdays at 2 p.m. CST
I would hate to see Brad Ausmus leave the Astros, but I do understand that he has had a great career in Houston and may move on after this season.
Posted by: Tony B. | September 17, 2008 at 10:14 AM
"I would hate to see Brad Ausmus leave the Astros, but I do understand that he has had a great career in Houston and may move on after this season."
Remember that Ausmus started out with San Diego
Posted by: AA | September 17, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Please don't bring Ausmus back to SD...not a bad guy but we've been down that road twice before...let Hundley and Carlin handle the catching and keep the youth movement going...I'd also like to see them let Giles and Hoffman go for that same reason...not that those two couldn't contribute next year but it's time to let the kids play and see what they can do...
Posted by: randam12 | September 17, 2008 at 01:19 PM
I agree letting Carlin and Hundley seems like a better way to go then to sign ausmus. The Padres should for sure let giles go! All this trade talk about kouzmanoff makes no sense. He's cheaper and you can just move Gerut to right and have headley in left wih Hairston moving all around the field. Aquire a young ceneter fielder of the like of Felix Pie or Tony Gwynn Jr. and you are set for years. Keeping Hoffman seems a little unnecessary when closers are the most overrated overpayed athletes. Bell could fill in just fine.
Posted by: joemorgan=#1 | September 17, 2008 at 01:39 PM