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Padres Rumors: Bell, Hensley, Giles

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A couple of Padres rumors this morning from Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune…

  • Reliever Heath Bell says talks on a multiyear deal didn’t get very far and he’s content using the arbitration process for the first time.  Bell stands to earn a million or two in ’09.
  • The Reds are interested in Padres pitcher Clay Hensley.  Hensley, 29, posted a 5.31 ERA in 39 big league innings.  He pitched another 48 innings in Triple A.  His strong groundball rate could make a nice fit for the Reds.  Jeff from Cot’s Baseball Contracts told me Hensley has enough service time to qualify as a Super Two, meaning he’ll be arbitration-eligible this winter.
  • Tim Sullivan of the U-T says Brian Giles is the Padres’ primary offseason issue.  In my opinion, it’d be embarrassingly cheap for the Padres to choose the $3MM buyout over the $9MM option.
  • Nothing imminent on the Trevor Hoffman front.

Olney’s Latest: Cardinals, Snell, Milledge, Maine, Fuentes

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Buster Olney’s latest offering is packed full of links:

  • Bernie Miklasz notes that the Cardinals have only three starting pitchers (Adam Wainwright, Todd Wellemeyer, and Joel Pineiro) locked up for next year (he’s not expecting Chris Carpenter to contribute in 2009), and no prospects waiting in the wings. His solution? Pry open owner Bill DeWitt’s wallet, "and please, no el cheapo deals for rehabbing pitchers, medically risky pitchers, broken-down pitchers."
  • The Pirates have it a little bit tougher. According to pitching coach Jeff Andrews, it consists of Paul Maholm and "a blank sheet." Here’s one vote for adding Ian Snell, "on the verge of becoming the best right-handed pitcher to come from Delaware since World War I," according to DelwareBaseball.com, who sponsors his Baseball Reference page.
  • According to GM Jim Bowden, the Nationals will explore ways to upgrade their defense for 2009, including the possibility of moving Lastings Milledge from center field back to a corner spot. Left fielder Elijah Dukes could move to center.
  • Despite going through a difficult divorce, Padres’ owner John Moores is not planning on selling the team—which he bought because of his soon-to-be ex.
  • The Mets seem to be rushing John Maine back from the DL in an attempt to keep their playoff hopes alive.
  • Dave Krieger is amazed that the Rockies aren’t doing anything to try and keep free-agent closer Brian Fuentes.

Sarah Green writes for the Boston Metro and Umpbump.

Padres Rumors: Moores, Giles, Hoffman

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MLB.com’s Barry Bloom talked to Padres owner John Moores recently.  Highlights:

  • Moores doesn’t expect to be out of the picture next year despite his divorce.  Word was his wife Becky wanted to gain control of the Padres.
  • Moores expects Sandy Alderson and Kevin Towers back in 2009, and Paul DePodesta was recently extended for three more years.
  • Moores says it’s "more likely than not" that the Padres exercise Brian Giles’ $9MM option as opposed to the $3MM buyout.  Moores acknowledges that the Padres probably cannot find a player like Giles for $6MM.
  • Trevor Hoffman may be the tougher call, as the Padres love him but he may require a multiyear deal.

Padres To Non-Tender Bard

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According to MLB.com’s Corey Brock, the Padres plan to non-tender catcher Josh Bard this winter.  They’ll use Nick Hundley as the starting catcher in ’09, and may add a veteran backup like Brad Ausmus. 

Bard is out for the year with a strained triceps.  He hit .202/.279/.270 in 198 plate appearances, also dealing with an ankle injury.  The Padres would’ve had to pay him at least $1.79MM in ’09.  It’s not a bad situation for Bard, though – he’ll reach free agency without putting in six years of service.  He’ll be 30 in March as will join a weak free agent market for catchers.  Small sample size, but in his last healthy season (2007) Bard hit .330/.386/.456 away from PETCO.

With Bard out of the picture, the Padres have $42.4MM committed for ’09 plus arbitration raises to Jody Gerut, Scott Hairston, Heath Bell, and Clay Hensley.  It seems possible the Padres could exercise Brian Giles’ option and re-sign Trevor Hoffman without going too far past a $50MM payroll.  Giles is included in the $42.4MM figure.

Odds and Ends: LaRoche, Bradley, Burnett

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Digging into today’s random links…

Odds and Ends: Ellis, Patterson, Sweeney

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Rounding up today’s links…

Odds and Ends: Sabathia, Pavano, Penny, Burnett

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Random links to start the morning…

  • Ben Shpigel says Billy Wagner’s $10.5MM for ’09 is not covered by insurance, making the Mets unlikely suitors for K-Rod (hat tip to MetsBlog).
  • The Padres claimed knuckleballer Charlie Haeger.  You have to like the move; he’s only 24.
  • Ken Davidoff writes about Nationals pitcher Tim Redding, who dreams about returning to the Yankees one day.
  • Davidoff also says that contrary to popular belief, C.C. Sabathia did not buy a home in Southern California.
  • In another post, Davidoff lists the worst trades of ’08.
  • Nats GM Jim Bowden will probably bring in a veteran first baseman next year due to health concerns with Nick Johnson and Dmitri Young.
  • Not much cooking on the Pedro Alvarez front…Bud Selig testified yesterday, and the next part of the hearing isn’t until September 23rd.
  • Andrew Baggarly explains Bengie Molina’s contentious relationship with the Giants.
  • From Saturday: Carl Pavano’s side of the story.  Can Pavano be a useful pitcher next year?
  • Larry Borowsky would like to see the Cardinals enterain an extension for Todd Wellemeyer.  He’s eligible for free agency after the ’09 season.
  • Joel Sherman isn’t sure the Yankees will invite Andy Pettitte back next year.
  • Brad Penny says he pitched through a shoulder injury because of uncertainty around his ’09 option.
  • Interesting fact…A.J. Burnett is second in MLB with 3286 pitches thrown (Sabathia jumped into the lead last night).  Many of the ’07 leaders in pitches thrown came down with injuries this year.
  • Michael O’Keefe sits down with agent Scott Boras.
  • ESPN’s Buster Olney notes that the Blue Jays will pursue a shortstop this winter.
  • All you ever wanted to know about Dr. James Andrews.
  • Jed Hoyer explains where Curt Schilling learned his negotiating tactics.

Padres Meet With Hoffman

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MLB.com’s Barry Bloom spoke to Padres closer Trevor Hoffman yesterday.  Hoffman revealed that he met with GM Kevin Towers on Saturday, and came away with positive feelings about re-signing for ’09.  First, however, the Padres need to determine their payroll for next year.

Hoffman mentioned a desire for a multiyear deal, which could complicate the situation.  The Padres surely want him back, but would they lock the 41 year-old in for two years?  Perhaps one year with a vesting option would satisfy both parties.  Hoffman will only explore the open market if the Padres don’t want him back.

Padres Were “Livid” When Giles Nixed Trade

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San Diego Union Tribune’s Bill Center talked to Padres manager Bud Black about Brian Giles, who could be a free agent after the season.

And do you pick up Giles $9 million option for 2009 or let him walk into free agency with a $3 million buyout?

“Brian still gets it done,” Padres manager Bud Black said last night after the Brewers snapped a four-game losing streak and inched to within four games of the plummeting Chicago Cubs in the National League Central race.

“Brian is a mainstay player.”

While Black thinks Giles is a mainstay, the Padres front office obviously feels differently. Buster Olney says he heard that "the Padres were livid when Giles vetoed the trade that they pursued with the Red Sox in August."

Will San Diego buy out Giles after this season? If you believe the rumors that the franchise is looking to cut payroll, then it makes sense that they would.

Coley Ward writes for Umpbump.com. You can reach him here.

Heyman’s Latest: Padres, Lowe, Manny, Minaya

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Let’s take a look at what SI.com’s Jon Heyman has for us today.

  • The Padres might be looking to slash their already-low payroll. With Kevin Towers, Paul DePodesta, and Sandy Alderson on staff, they might be able to do it. The question is of how competitive they’ll be in ’09.  For more on the topic, check out our Padres Offseason Outlook.
  • Towers thinks that when it comes to free agents, no one does it better than Pat Gillick.
  • Will the Dodgers retain Manny Ramirez? Tough to say. Owner Frank McCourt might not want to spend the dough. Then again, with Manny’s jersey going for over $300 at Dodger Stadium — no, that’s not a typo — he might keep him on as an attraction. If only they weren’t so committed to Juan Pierre.
  • It doesn’t appear likely Derek Lowe will don Dodger blue next season. He’s had a few rough starts this season, but is still pitching to a 3.69 ERA, and his walks are low. He’ll get a nice contract somewhere, and won’t cost a draft pick.
  • The Mets want to extend Omar Minaya’s contract, which expires after the 2009 season.
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