Padres moves in the coming weeks?

Sunday December 13, 2009

With just 37 players on the roster, I started wondering about what moves the Padres will make in the coming weeks.

FA signings? If they do I would suspect it will be for non tendered players that would still be under team control for a couple of years.

Trades?  Kouzmanoff and Bell are the obvious trade options. If he shows well in spring training, Chris Young could be another player the Padres could consider trading, although he is more likely to be traded closer to the deadline in July.

I would love to see the Padres move Kouzmanoff to the Twins for AA catcher Wilson Ramos and another prospect or two. As far as Bell goes, it seems to me that the Phillies and the Tigers are the two best fits. Maybe Bell & a low level prospect to the Phillies for Michael Taylor and another prospect like Freddy Galvis. Or Bell and a low level prospect to the Tigers for Ryan Perry and Wilkin Ramirez.

So who will the 3 people be that take up those roster spots?

Here are a few I would like the Padres to at least take a run at.

Kelly Johnson - 2B - Was non tendered by the Braves after making $2.825 million in 2009, his first year of arbitration eligibility. He only hit .224/.303/.389/.692 with 8 hr in 303 abs while battling a wrist injury in 2009 after hitting .287/.349/.446/.795 in 2008. He could be a bargain bin find.

Johnny Gomes - OF - Earned $600k on a minor league deal in 2009 in his 2nd year of arbitration eligibility. Hit 267/.338/.541/.879 with 20 hrs in 281 abs last year. While he did play his home games in a launching pad, Gomes could be the power hitting RHB the Padres are looking for to platoon in the outfield.

Miguel Olivo - C - The Royals declined Olivo's $3.3 million option for 2010. He had earned $2.7 million in 2009 while hitting .249 with 23 home runs while playing most of his games in a tough park to hit for power in. He would be a perfect mentor for Hundley and RH power bat off the bench, although his free swinging ways (126 SO in 390 ABS) are not the type a Sabermetrician like Hoyer is probably looking for.