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Padres GM Kevin Towers told MLB.com’s Corey Brock Tuesday that his club is in search of a veteran left-handed hitter.
"We’re waiting around until the first week of February," Towers said. In other words, something could go down early next week. Brad Wilkerson, Luis Gonzalez, Daryle Ward, Mark Sweeney and Doug Mientkiewicz are among the left-handed vets still on the market. Adam Dunn and Bobby Abreu are also unsigned, but they’re undoubtedly out of the Padres’ price range.
By Ben Jones | at
Free agent right-hander Kris Benson worked out Saturday for nine teams and demonstrated that he should be ready to compete for a job in Spring Training, MLB.com reports.
Agent Gregg Clifton said the throwing session “went well, and he showed teams that he’s ahead of schedule in getting ready for the ’09 season.”
The article only lists the Rockies as being there, though it does note that nine teams were in attendance. This post lists the Dodgers, Rangers, Padres, Diamondbacks, Indians and Cardinals as teams that planned to attend.
Benson, 34, missed the 2007 season because of surgery on his right shoulder. He spent last season in the minors with the Phillies. He is 68-73 with a 4.34 ERA in 195 career starts.
By Ben Jones | at
Barry M. Bloom of MLB.com believes a Chicago Cubs sale could catalyze a trade between the Cubs and the San Diego Padres — a trade that would include 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner Jake Peavy heading to the Cubs.
Bloom notes that neither team has re-engaged the topic, but sources suggested the move looks like a matter of when, not if, based on various developments.
As part of the deal, San Diego could get Garrett Olson, the starting pitcher the Cubs just obtained from the Orioles in a trade for left fielder Felix Pie. The Padres had “identified” Olson as a possible component when the teams extensively talked during the Winter Meetings.
Though it may seem improbable for the ownership situation to get cemented by Opening Day (April 5), Commissioner Bud Selig said that baseball would work expeditiously to get it done by then, Bloom wrote.
A Peavy trade would address a priority for the Padres to acquire promising young prospects in return for expensive veteran players, Bloom added.
Peavy is owed $11MM for 2009. He is owed another $52MM in a deal that runs through 2012 and includes a club option for 2013. The option is for $22MM with a $4MM buyout.
Last season, Peavy went 10-11 with 166 strikeouts and a 2.85 ERA. He also spent time on the disabled list.
By Ben Nicholson-Smith | at
According to ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick the Nationals and Padres are among the teams interested in Will Ohman. Both teams are "bottom fishing," and are considered secondary options for the lefty reliever.
Ohman hoped for a deal similar to the ones signed by Jeremy Affeldt ($8MM, two years) and Damaso Marte ($12MM, three years). He’s generated lots of interest and has a new contract offer from an unnamed team.
Crasnick mentions the Dodgers and Mets as potential suitors for Ohman, and the D’Backs, Orioles, Rangers, Indians, Rays and Braves have all reportedly had interest in him.
By Tim Dierkes | at
A few notes from Buster Olney’s latest blog post…
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ESPN.com’s Buster Olney reports that the Padres have agreed to terms on a one-year, $750K deal with catcher Henry Blanco.
The Dodgers’ signing of Brad Ausmus made this an easy decision for the Friars. Blanco, who hit .292 with three homers and 12 RBI for the Cubs last season, will back up Nick Hundley in San Diego.
By Tim Dierkes | at
According to MLB.com’s Corey Brock, Padres GM Kevin Towers has a veteran catcher as the final item on his offseason wish list. His good friend Brad Ausmus appears to be the target, with a resolution possible by week’s end. Brock figures he could sign for less than a million bucks.
The Padres traded for Ausmus back in ’93 and sent him to the Tigers in the blockbuster deal of ’96.
By Tim Dierkes | at
The latest from Ken Rosenthal…
By Dan Slowey | at
By agreeing to a one-year, $1.225MM deal earlier today, the Padres and Heath Bell avoided the potentially distasteful process of exchanging figures, and Bell avoided the always distasteful process of getting dressed up.
Now, Corey Brock of MLB.com reports that the two parties may soon come to terms on a multi-year extension.
Regarding the likelihood of such an extension, Padres GM Kevin Towers stated, "We explored it in September for probably about a month. It’s something we’re still open to. I imagine that’s something we will explore in the next couple days. I don’t see this thing dragging out."
Bell, set to replace Trevor Hoffman as the Padres’ closer in 2009, had a 3.58 ERA in 78 innings in 2008.
By Tim Dierkes | at
SI.com’s Jon Heyman has seven more players who avoided arbitration today: Jeremy Accardo ($900K), Heath Bell ($1.225MM), Ryan Church ($2.8MM), Gerald Laird ($2.8MM), Javier Lopez ($1.35MM), Bobby Seay ($1.3MM), and Joel Zumaya ($735K). I think next year we’ll put all of these in one constantly-updated post.
ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick says Angel Pagan signed for $575K.
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