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Padres Projecting Over Budget

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According to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Padres have a meager $40MM budget for players this year.  They’re projecting to be about $4-5MM over, and they’ll probably have to trade Jake Peavy and/or Brian Giles at some point to meet the target.  Both players have full no-trade rights. 

It could be risky to wait on a Peavy trade, since an injury can happen anytime and he might pitch in the WBC.  If the new Cubs ownership group will approve Peavy’s addition to the 2010 budget, trade talks could reignite (hasn’t happened yet).  I don’t see why Opening Day has to be the arbitrary deadline to trade Peavy – maybe we’ll see a rare April blockbuster if the Padres and Cubs’ ownership situations necessitate it.  Regarding the Felix Pie–Garrett Olson trade as a precursor, Padres CEO Sandy Alderson says too much is being made of it.

Rosenthal On Roberts, Hudson, Counsell

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Let’s take a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal.

  • The Orioles have their ears open Brian Roberts, whose trade value has diminished as he nears free agency.  The White Sox can’t afford him, the Braves are reluctant to give up talent, and the Cubs didn’t discuss him in the Felix Pie talks.  The Roberts market may improve once Orlando Hudson signs.
  • Rosenthal’s source says the Michael Young–Jermaine Dye discussions did take place.  If you read Dave van Dyck’s article, Ken Williams never specifically denied talks with the Rangers.
  • Rosenthal believes that if the Cubs make another big move, it’ll be a Jake Peavy trade.  They’re not in on Hudson.
  • The Dodgers have roughly $50MM in payroll flexibility right now.
  • The Giants may be looking at Manny Ramirez, but they’ve also looked in trades for hitters – "presumably" Prince Fielder or Corey Hart included.  Those talks with the Brewers didn’t go far.  The Giants may be willing to move Jonathan Sanchez, but the Jorge Cantu talks have stalled.
  • So far the Dodgers and Russell Martin have only talked about a one-year deal.
  • The Mariners are Brewers are eyeing Craig Counsell.
  • The Ms "likely are willing" to trade Aaron Heilman.

Nationals Still Targeting Strasburg

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In a Saturday article, Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune explained how the Padres would like to bring righty Stephen Strasburg home with the #3 pick in the June draft.  He wonders if the Padres could flash enough cash for Scott Boras to "steer Strasburg past the Nationals and Mariners."

Not to worry, Nationals fans.  Dave Sheinin of the Washington Post says Strasburg remains atop the Nats’ list by a wide margin.  Barring a major injury, the Nationals will draft Strasburg.  As it usually is with Boras and most early draft picks, signability is a concern.  However, Sheinin says the Nationals’ relationship with Boras improved with the Mark Teixeira negotiations.

Orioles Trade Olson For Pie

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5:20pm: Tom Krasovic notes the Padres’ previous interest in Olson.  He examines the possibility of the Cubs and Padres making a Jake Peavy deal.  Click here to read Jim Hendry’s thoughts on Pie.  Bruce Miles also notes that the Cubs are close to deals for arb-eligible relievers Kevin Gregg and Mike Wuertz.

3:11pm: Roch Kubatko spoke with Andy MacPhail about the Pie/Olson trade. MacPhail says that this trade is not a precursor to any other move, and that it’s likely the Orioles will go with Huff at first base, Pie in left, and Scott at DH.

Earlier we’d heard the O’s being in on some possible first base candidates, including Richie Sexson, Adam Dunn, and Ty Wigginton, but it seems they’re comfortable with this lineup.

1:10pm: Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Orioles have traded Garrett Olson and Class-A righthander Henry Williamson to the Cubs in exchange for Felix Pie.

Olson figures to slot in as a middle-reliever for the Cubs or as a fifth starter, depending on what role they have planned for Sean Marshall.

Pie could start off the 2009 season as a backup for all three outfield spots, according to Rosenthal. Rosenthal also suggests Pie playing left field, with Aubrey Huff manning first base and Luke Scott becoming a full-time DH. That idea seems to make more sense to me.

If Pie can realize any of his potential in a new setting, the Orioles will have one of the more talented young outfields in baseball.

Odds & Ends: Brewers, Votto, Manny, Montero

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A handful of Odds and Ends from around the bigs:

  • The Brewers declined to offer a contract to any of the former players that attended their tryout camp last Tuesday in Phoenix, says Tom Haudricourt. Among the auditioning were Mark Bellhorn, Randall Simon, and Robert Fick.
  • Mariners new GM Jack Zduriencik may find his patience will pay off as bargains begin to emerge in the free agent market, says Larry LaRue of the Tacoma News Tribune.
  • Bill Madden of the NY Daily News breaks down the Manny Ramirez market, team by team, including notes on the Dodgers, Mets, Giants, Angels, Yankees, Nats, and Tigers. He notes that if the Yankees failed to land Mark Teixeira, they "were ready to go at least two years and an option for Manny." Madden expects to hear the word "collusion" any day now.
  • According to Tom Krasovic, the Padres have a chance at drafting Stephen Strasburg, a San Diego native, in the 2009 draft if the Mariners and Nationals pass on the pitcher.
  • Nick Piecoro of azcentral.com says the Diamondbacks are not budging on their price for Miguel Montero: "a legit impact player, like a solid starting pitcher or an everyday bat." The Red Sox remain interested, but Piecoro writes,

    "It’s possible the Red Sox are using Montero as leverage to drive down [Jason] Varitek’s cost or get the Rangers to cave on their asking price for Jarred Saltalamacchia or Taylor Teagarden."

  • "No chance," says GM Walt Jocketty that Joey Votto will be traded, according to John Fay of the Cincinatti Enquirer.

Odds And Ends: Peavy, Mulder, Marshall

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Links for Saturday…

  • Padres CEO Sandy Alderson repeated a line we've heard a lot this offseason about Jake Peavy: "I think Jake will be with us on opening day."
  • Buster Olney hears from some scouts who think Mark Mulder could be the "hidden gem" of this year's free agent class. Mulder's likely to throw for scouts within a couple weeks.
  • Richard Durrett points out that Ian Kinsler's the only Texas infielder who has played as many as 52 MLB games at his current position. Michael Young, Chris Davis and Elvis Andrus round out the infield. This is no doubt part of the reason they're interested in Omar Vizquel.
  • Rob Neyer suggests that Orlando Hudson's not getting the attention he deserves because his defense is undervalued.
  • Lou Piniella hinted that Sean Marshall has a good shot at being the Cubs' fifth starter.

Padres Claim Jae Kuk Ryu Off Waivers

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The Padres claimed 25-year-old righty Jae Kuk Ryu off waivers from the Rays; here’s the MLB.com story.

On his personal blog, Padres executive Paul DePodesta writes that he likes the pickup because Ryu’s got good enough stuff to compete for a job in the Padres’ rotation or in their bullpen.

DePodesta writes that there’s "more activity forthcoming." Ken Rosenthal heard the Padres are likely to pass on Omar Vizquel.

Padres Agree To Terms With David Eckstein

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According to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Padres agreed to terms with David Eckstein on a one-year deal worth $850k. He’ll play second base.  Eckstein, 34 in a few days, hit .265/.343/.349 in 376 plate appearances for the Blue Jays and D’Backs in ’08.  He played an above-average second base in 197 innings there.

A Ken Rosenthal source suggests that the Padres might decide to pass on signing Omar Vizquel.

Padres Considering Eckstein, Vizquel

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1:23pm: ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick heard the Padres prefer David Eckstein over Vizquel.  He suggests the Padres may not be able to offer a base salary much beyond $1MM.  Meanwhile, Ken Rosenthal says the Padres are in serious discussions with Eckstein to play second base.

THURSDAY, 8:50am: MLB.com’s Corey Brock confirmed that the Padres hope to sign a shortstop this week and Vizquel is on the radar.  Vizquel admitted San Diego could be a great fit.

WEDNESDAY: According to Channel 4 San Diego anchor and Padres pre/post-game host John Weisbarth:

I’m hearing today that Omar Vizquel (owner of 11 gold-gloves) could be the Friars shortstop as soon as tomorrow.

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