Jermaine Dye would play for the Padres, according to Tim Sullivan of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Dye's agent Bob Bry said earlier this week that the 36-year-old outfielder continues to work out and hit in anticipation of a big league job. The 22-12 Padres, who lead the NL West, appeal to Dye.
"San Diego was one of the places Jermaine was excited about playing," Bry said.
Sullivan reports that the Padres "had dialogue" with Dye and his representatives last offseason, but chose to rely on youth instead. So far, the Padres' offense ranks 13th out of the 16 National League teams with 143 runs scored. Corner outfielders Kyle Blanks and Will Venable have started slowly.
It's not clear that the Padres are interested in Dye or that he could help them win. After hitting 20 homers in the first half last year, Dye slowed down and hit seven in the second half with a .179/.293/.297 line. The advanced fielding metric UZR suggests Dye's outfield defense was considerably worse than average last year. Still, Dye is the most readily-available hitter for teams seeking 25-homer power.
Dye could definitely help the offense.. but think Blanks and Venable will hit.
Wouldn’t you want to add a hitter who could keep both of them in the lineup? This is sort of a weird year for the Padres. Everyone thought they were going to be straight garbage — and keeping in mind that BAL led the AL East until June a few years back, so they still might be awful — but now they are getting her done.
It’ll be interesting to see how SD addresses the offense, that’s for sure. On a related note.. when is the last time a power hitter actually said they’d want to play in Petco? That park is practically clownish.
Dye’s an upgrade to Matt Stairs off the bench, but that’s about it. Blanks and Venable will be OK.
Actually with Stairs being the only lefty off the bench, I would say his value is higher than dye’s would be.
The “Cliff Floyd” experiment was an utter failure last year, and I don’t really see Stairs as contributing much more. IMO this team would be better calling up Denorfia to fill that bench spot.
I agree with you 100 and 10 % but, there is something to be said about a veteran ballplayer in the clubhouse and on the bench.
Dye might be able to help the offense, but i don’t think he would be a good fit in SD. The Hairston brothers already fill the super utility roles with Matt Stairs as the DH pitch hitter. Dye’s Defense has gotten worse thru they years, and the philosophy that the padres are playing with this year is Defense and solid base running. I just don’t see him being a viable option, not to mention the money he is going to want. The Padres just dont have it. Sure they might be able to get him for about 2 million for 1/2 a season, but is he really any better than Blanks or Venable? At this stage of his career i would say that he isn’t. Blanks and Venable will come around once they decide that they dont have to hit a HR every at bat, which is always a problem with young power hitters. As for the Padres getting No Love, you are right, but they should have.. this is the same team from the 2nd half of last year, and they played good ball then, just like they are now. so it shouldnt be a big suprise to anyone on the west coast. Now if your in Bristol, you might not get it. 🙂
I really can’t see either of those two young players sitting in favor of Dye. Petco would hurt Dye’s strength (HR power) and magnify his weakness (defense). He may be an offensive upgrade over either player but his poor defense would bring his value down so close to Blanks or Venable it wouldn’t be worth the money spent to put a young player with higher upside on the bench.
Dye really just needs to be DHing in Seattle but that is another subject altogether.
Yea poor Seatle is in a major bind, Griffey is killing them at the DH, but they dont dare cut him loose, The fans will go nuts.
The fans won’t care at all.
Three months from now:
DYE WOULD PLAY FOR BEARS
“Newark was one of the places Jermaine was excited about playing,” Bry said.
^This exactly.
DO NOT WANT
Of course Dye would play for the Padres… he would play for the Bad News Bears if they offered him a contract.
Dyew would be a HORRIBLE fit in San Diego. Can’t play defense and his power would be almost entirely neutralized by Petco. Rather see Denorfia or Cunningham get a shot.
Too bad Cunningham is not doing much of anything yet. I would rather Denorfia or Durango at this point regardless if the “knocks” on him. NO way I would sign Dye.