Earlier this evening, Jeff Moorad stepped down as the CEO of the Padres. Here's more on the situation in San Diego and other notes from the National League West..
- Former Dodgers GM Fred Claire spoke to Doug Miller of MLB.com about Hideo Nomo and his impact on how Japanese players were received by MLB.
- Multiple owners indicated they would not support Jeff Moorad’s attempt to purchase the Padres, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Morosi opines that the world of MLB ownership is highly political.
- It's hard not to speculate that the losing Dodgers bidders might look into purchasing the Padres, tweets Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times. One longtime MLB executive agrees with that assessment, according to Morosi (via Twitter).
- Steve Gilbert of MLB.com isn't overly optimistic about the Diamondbacks getting a new deal done with catcher Miguel Montero. Some believe that Yadier Molina's contract could jack Montero's price up to about $12MM annually.
- The Dodgers DFA'd Ramon Troncoso earlier this evening to make room for Ronald Belisario and Dave Cameron of Fangraphs (via Twitter) likes the reliever as a low-cost pickup. Troncoso was once a staple of the Dodgers' bullpen but saw limited time in the majors in 2011.
This whole thing with Moorad is such a joke. Why did they even let his attempt to purchase the Padres get this far (it began two years ago) if they weren’t going to approve it? Such a good ole’ boys club. It’s ridiculous.
Who cares if he was an agent at one time? He’s got the money and he’s put things in place to make the club better (spending money in the draft, smart trades, richer TV deal, etc). What more do they want?
Maybe if he said sorry, they would let him into the treehouse. I completely agree with you, why let him get this far into it just to pull the rug out from under him?
I’m almost hoping this is some kin of “hazing” for Moorad, “alright step down, show some humility and then you can be part of our special little group”. That special group would be MLB ownership.
Troncoso was fantastic for about 2 months in 2009, but has been absolutely terrible since. I’m glad they’re getting him off the roster, there are far better options (Belisario being just one of them).
Bring Mark Cuban to San Diego!