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Archives for March 2009

Offseason In Review: San Diego Padres

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Next up in our Offseason In Review series, the Padres. Click here to read our comments about the team from September 3rd.

Additions: Cliff Floyd, Henry Blanco, David Eckstein, Emil Brown, Walter Silva, Kevin Correia, Jae Kuk Ryu, Mark Prior, Chris Burke, Everth Cabrera, Mark Worrell, retained Brian Giles, full season of Cha Seung Baek

Subtractions (includes players subtracted during ’08 season): Khalil Greene, Tadahito Iguchi, Josh Bard, Paul McAnulty, Greg Maddux, Randy Wolf, Wil Ledezma, Trevor Hoffman, Shawn Estes, Justin Germano, Clay Hensley, Bryan Corey

For all the talk of the Padres slashing payroll, they kept Jake Peavy and exercised Brian Giles’ option.  The Giles decision, made November 7th, seemed like a good idea at the time.

I mentioned in September that 2009 provides a nice window for contention for the Padres, since many salaries for current players will increase significantly in 2010.  While the Padres didn’t lose anyone terribly important, they also failed to do much to improve their lousy offense and bullpen or their middling rotation.

The offense could be a touch better, with Floyd plus more Headley and Gerut (and the subtraction of outmakers Greene and Iguchi).  Adrian Gonzalez and Giles will have to maintain their offensive production.  But this team needed a bat, and left fielders were affordable this winter.

Kevin Towers can probably cobble together a decent bullpen, but the rotation needs healthy years from Peavy and Chris Young plus multiple breakthrough/bounceback seasons from others.  Sean Smith’s CHONE projection system suggests the Padres are an 80 win team, mainly because of promising forecasts for hurlers like Kevin Correia, Josh Geer, Wade LeBlanc, Cha Seung Baek, Chad Reineke, and Josh Banks.

Bottom line: After an offseason of bargain bin veteran additions, the Padres’ hopes rest on good health and breakthroughs from young players.

More Pre-Arb Signings

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Joel Sherman of the New York Post has several more signings of pre-arb players, including Jesse Litsch, Brandon Morrow, and Edinson Volquez.  Most are under $450K.  And another from Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel – Yovani Gallardo signed.  The Royals finished up by signing Billy Butler and Mike Aviles.  The D’Backs are done, with Mark Reynolds being renewed and 21 guys signed.

Pedro Martinez Discusses Future

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TUESDAY: Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News has more info after talking with Pedro.  According to Rubin, Martinez "prefers retiring to his fishing boat if the alternative is accepting a Tom Glavine-like contract."

MONDAY: New York Mets beat writer David Lennon of Newsday sat down with free agent right-hander Pedro Martinez to discuss the starting pitcher’s plans.

In addition to saying he’d like to pitch this season in the Major Leagues, Martinez said he’d like to stay in the National League, given he already has a World Series ring with an AL squad.

He also said he doesn’t think the door is closed on a reunion with the Mets.

"I don’t know really," Martinez said. "The season hasn’t started. I’m not really worried about what they do. I’m just getting ready. For sure I’ll be ready. If I’m healthy, anybody would have a bargain – if I’m healthy. If I’m not, well, I’ll go home fishing. My boat is waiting for me."

Martinez, 37, went 5-6 with a 5.61 ERA in 20 starts for the Mets in 2008.

Mets Interested In Ivan Rodriguez?

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According to David Lennon of Newsday, the Mets "remain very interested" in free agent catcher Ivan Rodriguez.  The Mets are unsure about Ramon Castro as a complement to Brian Schneider.  MetsBlog’s Matthew Cerrone notes Bart Hubbuch’s report from February 16th, indicating the Mets are not interested in Pudge.

Lennon says a strong showing by Rodriguez in the WBC could cause their pursuit to "heat up quickly."  Many believe the Marlins are still a strong possibility for him.

Nationals GM Candidates

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We’ve heard names like Mike Rizzo, Tony LaCava, and Deric Ladnier as candidates for the GM job in Washington.  In talking with rival scouts and executives, FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal adds several more possibilities.  Rosenthal’s speculation includes Bob Boone, John Hart, Chuck LaMar, and John Schuerholz.  He also notes previous GM interviewees such as Kim Ng, Tony Bernazard, Al Avila, and Peter Woodfork.  Ben Goessling of the Washington Times says Schuerholz called Nationals president Stan Kasten to recommend Hart as well as Gerry Hunsicker.

For now, Kasten is the interim GM.  Rosenthal describes this as "a decision perceived by some in the industry as a blow to Nationals assistant GM Mike Rizzo, who appeared the most logical choice to take over on an interim basis."  Kasten said not to read into that decision.

MRI On Pirates Prospect Reveals Inflammation

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6:59pm: Apparently, the Pirates couldn’t wait until Tuesday. Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review found out from Huntington that Tabata had the MRI today and everything looks fine.

“He does have some mild rotator cuff inflammation, but is able to return to activities as (the pain is) tolerated.”

6:11pm: Highly-touted prospect Jose Tabata will have an MRI done on his right shoulder Tuesday after alerting the Pittsburgh Pirates’ medical staff to some recent soreness, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

General manager Neal Huntington told Langosch that the team’s medical staff does not believe there is reason for serious concern. The MRI should help identify to doctors what is causing the outfielder discomfort.

Tabata was the marquee piece in last summer’s trade that sent Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte to the New York Yankees. He quickly became one of the Pirates’ top prospects and has already drawn unsolicited praise from manager John Russell this spring.

Tabata, 20, is 0-for-3 with three walks this spring.

Bonderman’s Tests Reveal ‘No Major Issues’

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5:59pm: He’s OK, according to Leyland, as told to Jason Beck of MLB.com.

An examination of pitcher Jeremy Bonderman’s sore right shoulder showed no major damage, confirming the Tigers’ expectations that he had nothing more than swelling.

“No problems,” manager Jim Leyland said early Monday evening. “No major issues at all.”

5:36pm: Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland told The Associated Press that starting pitcher Jeremy Bonderman has been sent to Detroit for medical testing because of shoulder stiffness.

Leyland said the act is precautionary, and Bonderman, 26, is expected back in Lakeland, Fla., Monday night.

Bonderman has had the trouble since he reported to Spring Training. He went 3-4 with a 4.29 ERA last year, but was on the disabled list from June 7 through the end of the season with a circulatory condition that resulted in numbness in his throwing hand.

Leyland added that the right-hander could be back to a normal routine in a couple of weeks.

Bonderman has been in the mix of names discussed in recent trade rumors.

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