Thursday May 21, 2009
Gwynn scores the winning run and the San Diego Padres beat the San Francisco Giants 3-2.
A very familiar sounding statement in Padres land, but this time it is the newest Padre, Tony Gwynn Jr., coming across the plate.
The Padres starting pitching was outstanding again tonight with Kevin Correia going 6.1 innings and giving up just 6 hits and 1 run while walking none. The only run Correia surrendered came on an Aaron Rowand home run to left in the 6th inning.
Joe Thatcher and Edward Mujica combined for 1.2 scoreless innings in relief and handed a 1-1 game to Heath Bell in the 9th.
After Heath Bell allowed his first run of the season to give the Giants a 2-1 lead in the top of the 9th, the Padres came back in the bottom of the frame to score two runs for their 6th straight win and 2nd straight series sweep.
Kevin Kouzmanoff led off the 9th with an infield single to third and scored the tying run when David Eckstein was plunked in the shoulder by a 97 mph fastball from Giants closer Brian Wilson with the bases loaded. Wilson had walked both Gwynn Jr. and Brian Giles to get to the pesky Eckstein.
Scott Hairston then drove in Gwynn with a single to left for the victory.
Kouzmanoff has improved his batting average to .240 for the season by going 9 for 24 (.375) in this home stand with a pair of home runs and 4 rbi while drawing 2 walks and striking out only twice in 28 plate appearances.
Adrian Gonzalez broke out of a 0 for 17 slump on the home stand with a smash up the middle in the 6th that caromed off Giants ace Tim Lincecum's glove into CF for a single.
Chase Headley's woes continued with an 0 for 4 performance and 2 more strike outs. Headley is now 1 for 13 (.077) on the home stand with 6 strike outs.
Lincecum went 7 innings giving up just 4 hits and 1 run while striking out 10 Padres for another hard luck loss in 3 well pitched games for the Giants starters in this series.
So now the Padres have won 6 straight games and swept 2 straight series!
And Gwynn scores the winning run!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Peavy and Gwynn Updates
Thurday May 21, 2009
With all the news today about trades and possible trades an update is in order.
1st, Jake Peavy exercised his no trade clause and will not be going to the Chicago White Sox at this point?
YAY!!!! I get to see Jake Peavy pitch in Petco at least one more time and to me, that is pretty special. He is one of the best pitchers I have ever had the privilege of watching play in a Padres uniform and I appreciate each and every opportunity I have to watch him work his magic.
Why did Peavy decline to accept the trade? The PC answer is that he wants to keep his family in San Diego and play in the NL. The real answer is probably more complicated than that and may include the fact that the White Sox are playing worse than the Padres and that the White Sox may or may not have been willing to guarantee Peavy's $22 million option year.
Will Peavy still be traded this season? The answer is probably. To whom? My guess would be, to the Chicago CUBS once the sale of the franchise to the Ricketts family is finalized. According to several sources, the team may finalize the sale as soon as this coming week.
In other trade news, Tony Gwynn Jr. WILL join the Padres and wear number 18. Tony light? pum dum pum.
Many media outlets reported that Gwynn, who has struggled to hit major league pitching in parts of 3 seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, would join the Padres AAA farm club in Portland.
Bringing in the good fielding but light hitting Gwynn in exchange for the good fielding and power hitting Gerut appears to be a salary dump and a feeble attempt at good PR on the cheap. If the Padres had thought highly enough of Gwynn Jr to keep him in the major leagues, they could have had him for the price of a waiver claim in mid April when the Brewers designated him for assignment.
Gwynn will never be his father and likely will never be even as good as the 4th outfielder options the Padres have in Macias and Venable.
I would expect that when Cliff Floyd is ready to come off the DL, Gwynn will be sent down to AAA.
To recap, I am happy to say we will have at least one more chance to see Peavy pitch at Petco after he declined to waive his no trade clause and Tony Jr. will be in a Padres jersey tonight.
With all the news today about trades and possible trades an update is in order.
1st, Jake Peavy exercised his no trade clause and will not be going to the Chicago White Sox at this point?
YAY!!!! I get to see Jake Peavy pitch in Petco at least one more time and to me, that is pretty special. He is one of the best pitchers I have ever had the privilege of watching play in a Padres uniform and I appreciate each and every opportunity I have to watch him work his magic.
Why did Peavy decline to accept the trade? The PC answer is that he wants to keep his family in San Diego and play in the NL. The real answer is probably more complicated than that and may include the fact that the White Sox are playing worse than the Padres and that the White Sox may or may not have been willing to guarantee Peavy's $22 million option year.
Will Peavy still be traded this season? The answer is probably. To whom? My guess would be, to the Chicago CUBS once the sale of the franchise to the Ricketts family is finalized. According to several sources, the team may finalize the sale as soon as this coming week.
In other trade news, Tony Gwynn Jr. WILL join the Padres and wear number 18. Tony light? pum dum pum.
Many media outlets reported that Gwynn, who has struggled to hit major league pitching in parts of 3 seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, would join the Padres AAA farm club in Portland.
Bringing in the good fielding but light hitting Gwynn in exchange for the good fielding and power hitting Gerut appears to be a salary dump and a feeble attempt at good PR on the cheap. If the Padres had thought highly enough of Gwynn Jr to keep him in the major leagues, they could have had him for the price of a waiver claim in mid April when the Brewers designated him for assignment.
Gwynn will never be his father and likely will never be even as good as the 4th outfielder options the Padres have in Macias and Venable.
I would expect that when Cliff Floyd is ready to come off the DL, Gwynn will be sent down to AAA.
To recap, I am happy to say we will have at least one more chance to see Peavy pitch at Petco after he declined to waive his no trade clause and Tony Jr. will be in a Padres jersey tonight.
Busy Trade Day for Padres
Thursday May 21, 2009
The San Diego Padres have negotiated their second trade of the day, acquiring Tony Gwynn Jr. from the Milwaukee Brewers organization for CF Jody Gerut according to Corey Brock of MLB.com.
Padres management has seemingly waived the white flag on a season that finds the team at 18-22 (3rd in the NL West) and are jettisoning salary.
Gerut had a breakout year last season after being called up in June, but has struggled a platoon player this season hitting just .221 with 4 home runs in 113 abs. Gerut, widely expected to be the Padres starting center fielder coming out of spring training has started just 21 games in CF this season while platooning with Scott Hairston.
Gwynn Jr, 26, has struggled in to hit at the major league level in parts of three seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers and is expected to be assigned to AAA Portland.
The San Diego Padres have negotiated their second trade of the day, acquiring Tony Gwynn Jr. from the Milwaukee Brewers organization for CF Jody Gerut according to Corey Brock of MLB.com.
Padres management has seemingly waived the white flag on a season that finds the team at 18-22 (3rd in the NL West) and are jettisoning salary.
Gerut had a breakout year last season after being called up in June, but has struggled a platoon player this season hitting just .221 with 4 home runs in 113 abs. Gerut, widely expected to be the Padres starting center fielder coming out of spring training has started just 21 games in CF this season while platooning with Scott Hairston.
Gwynn Jr, 26, has struggled in to hit at the major league level in parts of three seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers and is expected to be assigned to AAA Portland.
Peavy Traded To White Sox!
Thursday May 21, 2009
Jake Peavy Traded to the Chicago White Sox!
Corey Brock of MLB.com is reporting that Jake Peavy of the San Diego Padres has been traded to the Chicago White Sox. The trade is contingent on Peavy waiving his no trade clause.
Its rumored that the Padres would be recieving just 4 pitching prospects. 2007 1st round draft pick Aaron Poreda, Clayton Richard, and two other low level prospects.
The 22 year old Poreda is a power throwing lefty drafted 25th overall in 2007 out of the University of San Francisco. He is currently pitching for the White Sox AA farm team in Birmingham. He has a high 90's fastball that occasionally hits 100, but has had problems developing his breaking stuff.
Richard is a control pitcher with a good sinker. In the past you would have called him a "Padres type" pitcher. Nothing overpowering, just around the plate and makes guys miss with pitch placement and changing speeds. He projects as a #4-#5 type starter.
Now this deal is far from a done deal. According to Buster Olney of ESPN, Peavy's agent Barry Axelrod expressed doubt to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com that Peavy would accept the deal. Peavy has made clear his desire to stay in the National League.
Tom Krasovic of the Union Tribune is also reporting that Peavy is not likely to accept the trade.
With the names mentioned so far it seems like a mighty light deal for one of the top 10 starters in the game. Especially considering the 5-1 deal the Diamondbacks gave up for Dan Haren and the 5-2 deal the Marinerspaid for a one year for Erik Bedard.
If the Padres do not recieve Gordon Beckham as part of the deal, many will be calling for Moorad's head in the days to come.
Time will tell what happens. Stay tuned.
Jake Peavy Traded to the Chicago White Sox!
Corey Brock of MLB.com is reporting that Jake Peavy of the San Diego Padres has been traded to the Chicago White Sox. The trade is contingent on Peavy waiving his no trade clause.
Its rumored that the Padres would be recieving just 4 pitching prospects. 2007 1st round draft pick Aaron Poreda, Clayton Richard, and two other low level prospects.
The 22 year old Poreda is a power throwing lefty drafted 25th overall in 2007 out of the University of San Francisco. He is currently pitching for the White Sox AA farm team in Birmingham. He has a high 90's fastball that occasionally hits 100, but has had problems developing his breaking stuff.
Richard is a control pitcher with a good sinker. In the past you would have called him a "Padres type" pitcher. Nothing overpowering, just around the plate and makes guys miss with pitch placement and changing speeds. He projects as a #4-#5 type starter.
Now this deal is far from a done deal. According to Buster Olney of ESPN, Peavy's agent Barry Axelrod expressed doubt to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com that Peavy would accept the deal. Peavy has made clear his desire to stay in the National League.
"If I had to make a bet on it, I would guess that Jake would say he's not ready to take that step today,'' Axelrod said. "But he wouldn't necessarily preclude it at any time in the future.
"We aren't hiding anything from anybody. Jake has a strong preference to stay in the National League. He has a comfort zone there, he's been successful, and he's won a Cy Young Award. I don't know that on May 21, that preference has eroded very much. From our point of view we may say, 'Let's give (the Padres) more time and see if a National League team might step up over the next six weeks.'
''If this were any one of three or four other teams and they called about him, Jake would jump at it. He would be willing. They know who they are. They know that certain places are more enticing to him.''
Tom Krasovic of the Union Tribune is also reporting that Peavy is not likely to accept the trade.
With the names mentioned so far it seems like a mighty light deal for one of the top 10 starters in the game. Especially considering the 5-1 deal the Diamondbacks gave up for Dan Haren and the 5-2 deal the Marinerspaid for a one year for Erik Bedard.
If the Padres do not recieve Gordon Beckham as part of the deal, many will be calling for Moorad's head in the days to come.
Time will tell what happens. Stay tuned.
Speed Kills!
Thursday May 21, 2009
Speed Kills!
It kills the concentration of the opposing pitcher when a speedy guy gets on base.
It kills the possibility of a double play. It kills in so many ways on the diamond.
We heard so much in spring training about the speed of Everth Cabrera who stole 73 bases in the minors last season and how his speed could be a game changer for the Padres. Cabrera has been timed at 6.70 in the 60 yard dash. That is quick.
Do you want to know what REAL speed is?
The 6.22 Luis Durango has reportedly ran in the 60 yard dash. That is BLAZING!
60 yards is 54.864 meters. Durango's time in the 60 YARD dash translates to a 6.73 60 meter dash. I am pretty sure that would get him a spot on Panama's Olympic team.
Uber High School Athlete Donovan Tate is expected to go in the top ten in the June MLB draft based on his athleticism and has been widely been reported to be the fastest athlete projected to be drafted. He runs a 6.40 60 yard dash.
That means Luis Durango has amazing speed. And he can both hit and be selective at the plate. Last season he hit .328/.415 and this season he made the jump to AA and is hitting .351/.425.
Think about a 2010 or 2011 Padres team that has Cabrera at short and Durango platooning in the outfield? WOW!
So why do I say platooning in the outfield?
#1 - Durango is 5'9" and 140 lbs soaking wet and has NO power. None. He occasionaly turns a single into a double, but he has so little power that he had only 15 doubles and 4 triples in 406 abs last season because the ball reached the wall off his bat just once and he turned that into an inside the park home run. His slugging percentage last season was .392 and this year it is just .383.
Can you say Juan Pierre?
#2 - This is the first season Durango has used that speed to consistently steal bases. Right now he has 20 SB vs 7 CS in 38 games played.
Last season he had just 15 stolen bases vs 8 cs at Low A Ft Wayne and High A Lake Elsinore.
The speed is just starting to translate into stolen bases and he hasn't quite learned how to read pitchers well enough to be good at it.
When he does get it, watch out. He should be a fixture as a #4 outfieler/utility player for years to come at the major league level.
Speed Kills!
It kills the concentration of the opposing pitcher when a speedy guy gets on base.
It kills the possibility of a double play. It kills in so many ways on the diamond.
We heard so much in spring training about the speed of Everth Cabrera who stole 73 bases in the minors last season and how his speed could be a game changer for the Padres. Cabrera has been timed at 6.70 in the 60 yard dash. That is quick.
Do you want to know what REAL speed is?
The 6.22 Luis Durango has reportedly ran in the 60 yard dash. That is BLAZING!
60 yards is 54.864 meters. Durango's time in the 60 YARD dash translates to a 6.73 60 meter dash. I am pretty sure that would get him a spot on Panama's Olympic team.
Uber High School Athlete Donovan Tate is expected to go in the top ten in the June MLB draft based on his athleticism and has been widely been reported to be the fastest athlete projected to be drafted. He runs a 6.40 60 yard dash.
That means Luis Durango has amazing speed. And he can both hit and be selective at the plate. Last season he hit .328/.415 and this season he made the jump to AA and is hitting .351/.425.
Think about a 2010 or 2011 Padres team that has Cabrera at short and Durango platooning in the outfield? WOW!
So why do I say platooning in the outfield?
#1 - Durango is 5'9" and 140 lbs soaking wet and has NO power. None. He occasionaly turns a single into a double, but he has so little power that he had only 15 doubles and 4 triples in 406 abs last season because the ball reached the wall off his bat just once and he turned that into an inside the park home run. His slugging percentage last season was .392 and this year it is just .383.
Can you say Juan Pierre?
#2 - This is the first season Durango has used that speed to consistently steal bases. Right now he has 20 SB vs 7 CS in 38 games played.
Last season he had just 15 stolen bases vs 8 cs at Low A Ft Wayne and High A Lake Elsinore.
The speed is just starting to translate into stolen bases and he hasn't quite learned how to read pitchers well enough to be good at it.
When he does get it, watch out. He should be a fixture as a #4 outfieler/utility player for years to come at the major league level.
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