The Padres acquired Alberto Gonzalez from the Nationals for right-hander Erik Davis and cash considerations, the teams announced. The Padres, who had been working to upgrade their bench, were looking hard at Gonzalez this week. The A's, Astros and Braves were also eyeing the infielder over the weekend.
Davis split the 2010 campaign between three levels, posting a 3.52 ERA with 8.4 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 in 143 1/3 innings as a starter. The 24-year-old right-hander has made just eight starts above Class A, where he spent the first two seasons of his pro career. Davis, who played at Stanford with Nationals reliever Drew Storen, led all minor league pitchers with 30 wins in 2009-10.
Gonzalez, 27, played in 114 games last year, appearing at every infield position and in right field. He hit .247/.277/.301 last year in his fourth MLB season.
The move boosts the chances that Mets infielder Luis Hernandez goes unclaimed while on waivers.
People wearing Gonzalez jerseys to Padre games are going to be pretty embarrassed.
Is it too soon to call him “A-Gon”?
Maybe Padres fans will let A-Gonz be A-Gonz with this move.
Booooooo!
Padres Got raped.
Im glad Im not the only one who thinks so…some how the nats got Davis and Cash??? Does SD know something that nobody else does?
Hard to get raped when all you’re giving up is a finesse type whose success has all come in the low minors. The odds of Davis ever making 20 starts for the Padres weren’t high at all. They have comparable arms (particularly Hefner, Sullivan & Bass) who are just as likely or moreso to see action in SD. Of course were talking about a bunch of guys who are more depth then anything else. Hoyer definitely isn’t going to be losing any sleep at paying ‘such’ a cost.
I like that Everth Cabrera will be playing everyday in the minors. Come 2012 figuring Cabrera is playing some role with the club, he’ll be cheaper as either a Super-2 or even a league minimum type versus using (wasting?) him in the backup role in 2011 while making him a 3-year player earning a bigger paycheck. The cost savings isn’t huge, 400-800k, but that’s enough to mean something on a tight budget. That’s just a side benefit (versus playing everyday/growing) – but it’s a benefit nonetheless.
With Davis out of the picture San Antonio’s rotation seems set with Kelly, Oramas, Bass, Schmidt and McBryde. I’d gladly take any of those guys over Davis and think each has a higher ceiling. There are numerous guys slated for high A-ball that could see mid-season bumps to SA.
To sum it up the Pads could release Gonzalez on May 1st and it still wouldn’t constitute any sort of rapeage. Davis was merely a warm body, no better then probably 500 minor league pitchers with some upside issues that will only become more apparent as he faces more advanced competition.
A fine young Baby Pad SP for infield Depth they have EC…Pitching rules..I agree Pads got Raped.
The owners of the Mets are jealous of the cash that the Nats got both in this trade and the Nyjer Morgan trade.
Money for nothing … it brings back fond memories of the Madoff days.
After you said “money for nothing,” I thought that you were going to start quoting Dire Straits.
Now look at them yo-yos that’s the way you do it, you tradin’ prospects for utility.
Classic.
thats a high price the Pads paid
Seems too old for the league, doesnt seem like hes all that good.
He’s an excellent defensive utility player. Good off the bench. Of course, he wants to play every day and made that known in Washington.
Good luck to Algo and the Pads this season.
At least the Padres have the clout to win in Federal Court now.
not that big a deal. Low minors pitching stats are easy to come by. I’ll trade some rookie ball stats for Major league bench depth all day. Now if it was S.Castro or a some other real prospect I’d be talking smack too.
Davis was not regarded by most internally as a legit prospect. Most people I talked to saw him as a possible #5 starter, or a middle reliever. Having said that, it is nice to see the Padres solidify the middle infield in case Bartlett has anymore knee or leg troubles. Both teams win in this deal.
Davis moved up 3 minor league levels in one year and fared well in all 3..One more year of AAA and a good season and he will have a shot with the Nats next year…I’m not big on Gonzalez but he has a nice glove, solid back up. Was thinking that the Mets or Phils may want him…Could of started, possibly on the Mets. All players want to get a shot at starting but his request in Washington may have rubbed the Nats the wrong way…what has he done in his career?? How do you bat 170 times in a season and walk 7 times?? .253 career hitter…he is the perfect example of average for a back-up…good defensive replacement…Like the deal for the Nats because I think a 24 yr old hard throwing right hander that was 14-3 last year in the minors and has won 30 games the last 2 years is a good return for this guy…But SD has dealt from strength and who knows on “prospects” anyway??…I think the Nats may have made a good trade..
“The 24-year-old right-hander has made just eight starts above Class A, where he spent the first two seasons of his pro career”
So he’s going to essentially jump from A ball to AAA and have a good season from start to finish? Call me a skeptic.
We’ll look up his minor league stats, he pitched in all 3 levels like I said, he didn’t finish in A ball, he was 4-0 in AA and then moved up to AAA. I don’t know that the Nats wouldn’t put him in AAA this year. I guess, we will see. I guess I just assumed that. He could start AA and move to AAA during the season. Ok…I’ll call you a skeptic then…lol
Davis made 1 start in AAA simply out of neccisity cause of pitchers called up and a organization arm got injured. He is a long reliever at best
yeah, he didn’t figure in at all with the organization’s plans. he was really a spare part, but could some day be useful
No…you can’t say that..based on what..evidently you must think the Nats AAA and Major leagues rosters are stacked…id love to be Mr Davis sitting with 30 wins the last 2 years and eyeing the current staff…wouldn’t you???…think they wouldn’t be watchin you close???…don’t be surprised if you don’t see this kid this year in the Majors..especially if there’s injuries…we will see…I’ve never seen him pitch…have you??
Davis sits between 88-90 MPH. He has to rely on changing speeds, more than “throwing hard”. He will not be fooling MLB players the way he has in the lower levels of the minors. He will be exposed as he advances. I would be surprised if he is more than a journeyman pitcher. Davis is hardly a “hard throwing pitcher”. Either way, both teams win.
Davis is the pitcher from stanford. That got hit in the face with a line drive but was still abe to come back in 2 months which they said was a miracle…your are right he has good control and has a good sinking fastball…secondary pitches need to develop better…has to improve…real good attitude…I read
Yeah, I don’t see anyone questioning his attitude, dedication/toughness or work ethic. Bottom line he was expendable for the Padres. He was not a top 30 organizational prospect. as ‘Amish_willy 1’ stated, there are many pitchers ahead of Davis on their (Padres) depth chart.
The Padres filled a weakness, middle infield depth with a versatile player in Gonzalez, who might not draw people to the park, or be exciting per se… but fill a very important void the Padres were lacking. It’s win win for both clubs.