Thursday July 22, 2010
Today the Kansas City Royals David DeJesus slid into the wall attempting to make a play on a Derek Jeter fly ball and injured his right thumb. According to a tweet by Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star, DeJesus is scheduled to see a hand specialist Friday, never a good sign, and may be out for a while.
If DeJesus hits the DL he will be effectively off the trade wire.
The Padres have reportedly been actively in the hunt for DeJesus, they will find out Friday if there is still anything to trade for.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Trade Bait or Padres Top 20+ Prospects
Thursday July 22, 2010
Padres Top 20+ Prospects
All the talk of trades recently got me to thinking about who the top prospects are in the Padres system. The pundits are saying no one in the Padres system was untouchable so who exactly are the prospects they are talking about and how good are they?
How would I rank them as of today. Who would be in my top 10? My top 20?
My 1st two picks would be real easy.
Both I would consider an A or an A- on John Sickels type of scale. Then it gets more difficult and they start to come in clumps.
#1 - Simon Castro -
The best pitcher in the Padres farm system. Power and control. September call up?
#2 - Jaff Decker
.405 BA last 10. .327/.444/.564/1.009 in 101 ABs since All Star Break. He is a Professional hitter.
Then 3 guys that I think are extremely close All would be B to B+ on Sickels scale.
#3 - James Darnell
#4 - Logan Forsythe
#5 - Keyvius Sampson
Surprised he is still at Eugene. Dominating there.
Then come 5 more that are pretty close, but not quite as good in my mind as the players above.
C+ to B- on the Sickels scale
#6 - Cory Luebke
He is the complete package. Power, control, goes deep in games.
#7 - Wynn Pelzer
Needs to go back to high leg kick, especially from stretch. Stuff better than record.
#8 - Aaron Poreda
7 hits allowed in 18.2 IP @ AAA 25 in 43.2 IP overall 2.68 ERA 23 years old LHP 98 mph FB
#9 - Drew Cumberland
After play this season would have been in 3-5 group if not for injury.
#10 - Everett Williams
On Tools alone. He is hitting .237 at Ft Wayne with 96 SO.
Then I come to a group that could fall anywhere from 11-15 (or even higher)
#11 - Donavan Tate
Hasn't played enough to know what kind of professional baseball player he can be
#12 - Cedric Hunter
Finally showing signs of why he was perennial top 10 Padres prospect. Still only 22.
#13 - Blake Tekotte
Hunter with a little more power. Moved up to SA when Hunter called up to Portland
#14 - Edinson Rincon
19 years old in Ft Wayne. Hitting .302/.358 in 96 abs since AS Break
#15 - Lance Zawadski
No one skill is spectacular, all are good. Has made steady progress up ladder. Future MLB utility?
Then we get a pack of about 20 that you could make a good argument of belonging in the 15-20 spots or even higher. In no particular order, other than the order they came into my fevered brain.
Rymer Liriano, Adys Portillo, Jerry Sullivan, Jedd Gyorko, Jeremy Hefner, Evan Scribner, Juan Oramas, Jeremy McBryde, Jason Hagerty, Nate Frieman, Craig Italiano, Cole Figueroa, Jerry Sullivan, Michael Watt, Chris Tremblay, Matt Lollis, Jonathan Galvez, Sawyer Carroll, Kellen Kulbacki, Anthony Bass.
Lots of C to B- prospects in that 11-20 group. Even a possible A prospect or two if Tate can ever stay healthy more than a week at a time or Portillo lives up to the hype or Gyorko continues to hit like he has to date as he moves up to LE and SA.
If he had signed already, Karsten Whitson would be in that group too.
Certainly enough good talent there for Hoyer & Moorad to go after any Bat or Pitcher the Padres decide to pursue at the trade deadline.
Padres Top 20+ Prospects
All the talk of trades recently got me to thinking about who the top prospects are in the Padres system. The pundits are saying no one in the Padres system was untouchable so who exactly are the prospects they are talking about and how good are they?
How would I rank them as of today. Who would be in my top 10? My top 20?
My 1st two picks would be real easy.
Both I would consider an A or an A- on John Sickels type of scale. Then it gets more difficult and they start to come in clumps.
#1 - Simon Castro -
The best pitcher in the Padres farm system. Power and control. September call up?
#2 - Jaff Decker
.405 BA last 10. .327/.444/.564/1.009 in 101 ABs since All Star Break. He is a Professional hitter.
Then 3 guys that I think are extremely close All would be B to B+ on Sickels scale.
#3 - James Darnell
#4 - Logan Forsythe
#5 - Keyvius Sampson
Surprised he is still at Eugene. Dominating there.
Then come 5 more that are pretty close, but not quite as good in my mind as the players above.
C+ to B- on the Sickels scale
#6 - Cory Luebke
He is the complete package. Power, control, goes deep in games.
#7 - Wynn Pelzer
Needs to go back to high leg kick, especially from stretch. Stuff better than record.
#8 - Aaron Poreda
7 hits allowed in 18.2 IP @ AAA 25 in 43.2 IP overall 2.68 ERA 23 years old LHP 98 mph FB
#9 - Drew Cumberland
After play this season would have been in 3-5 group if not for injury.
#10 - Everett Williams
On Tools alone. He is hitting .237 at Ft Wayne with 96 SO.
Then I come to a group that could fall anywhere from 11-15 (or even higher)
#11 - Donavan Tate
Hasn't played enough to know what kind of professional baseball player he can be
#12 - Cedric Hunter
Finally showing signs of why he was perennial top 10 Padres prospect. Still only 22.
#13 - Blake Tekotte
Hunter with a little more power. Moved up to SA when Hunter called up to Portland
#14 - Edinson Rincon
19 years old in Ft Wayne. Hitting .302/.358 in 96 abs since AS Break
#15 - Lance Zawadski
No one skill is spectacular, all are good. Has made steady progress up ladder. Future MLB utility?
Then we get a pack of about 20 that you could make a good argument of belonging in the 15-20 spots or even higher. In no particular order, other than the order they came into my fevered brain.
Rymer Liriano, Adys Portillo, Jerry Sullivan, Jedd Gyorko, Jeremy Hefner, Evan Scribner, Juan Oramas, Jeremy McBryde, Jason Hagerty, Nate Frieman, Craig Italiano, Cole Figueroa, Jerry Sullivan, Michael Watt, Chris Tremblay, Matt Lollis, Jonathan Galvez, Sawyer Carroll, Kellen Kulbacki, Anthony Bass.
Lots of C to B- prospects in that 11-20 group. Even a possible A prospect or two if Tate can ever stay healthy more than a week at a time or Portillo lives up to the hype or Gyorko continues to hit like he has to date as he moves up to LE and SA.
If he had signed already, Karsten Whitson would be in that group too.
Certainly enough good talent there for Hoyer & Moorad to go after any Bat or Pitcher the Padres decide to pursue at the trade deadline.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Padres sign Wily Mo Pena to minor league deal
Monday July 19, 2010
Dan Hayes of the North County Times is reporting that the Padres have signed Worthless Wily Mo Pena to a minor league deal.
Why is an entirely different subject.
Worthless Wily has been out of the ML since 2008 and has been playing in the independent Atlantic League this year.
He hit .253/.307 with a strike out every 3rd at bat (520 SO vs 106 BB with only 402 HITS) over parts of 7 ML seasons with Cincinnati, Boston and Washington.
Who he will displace in AAA is a whole other story. The Beavers outfield consists of Hunter, Cooper and Durango. Denorfia or Cunningham will likely join that group when Venable is ready to come off the DL.
The only way Worthless Wily gets much playing time down there is if someone gets traded.
That brings up the next question. Have the Padres agreed to a trade that has not been released yet?
Dan Hayes of the North County Times is reporting that the Padres have signed Worthless Wily Mo Pena to a minor league deal.
Why is an entirely different subject.
Worthless Wily has been out of the ML since 2008 and has been playing in the independent Atlantic League this year.
He hit .253/.307 with a strike out every 3rd at bat (520 SO vs 106 BB with only 402 HITS) over parts of 7 ML seasons with Cincinnati, Boston and Washington.
Who he will displace in AAA is a whole other story. The Beavers outfield consists of Hunter, Cooper and Durango. Denorfia or Cunningham will likely join that group when Venable is ready to come off the DL.
The only way Worthless Wily gets much playing time down there is if someone gets traded.
That brings up the next question. Have the Padres agreed to a trade that has not been released yet?
Friday, July 16, 2010
Facebook is a joke
Friday July 16, 2010
My Websoulsurfer Facebook account got locked because I attempted to confirm more than 100 friend requests.
They said this is prohibited activity. WTF? I was answering OTHER PEOPLES REQUESTS!
Has anyone else had this problem with Facebook?
My Websoulsurfer Facebook account got locked because I attempted to confirm more than 100 friend requests.
They said this is prohibited activity. WTF? I was answering OTHER PEOPLES REQUESTS!
Has anyone else had this problem with Facebook?
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
An Open Letter to Tim Sullivan of the UT
Wednesday July 14, 2010
Tim,
The San Diego Padres have NOT spoken with Dye nor will they. If you think that after everything Hoyer and Moorad have said recently and have done since last seasons end to build a great fielding team, that they are going to go out and sign a guy that wont even be able hit effectively for at least 4 weeks while he has his "spring training" in August, who will NOT be nearly as good of hitter he was in US Cellular Field AND who was amongst the worst fielding outfielders in baseball his last couple of seasons, then you really need to get another job that doesn't involve fact checking.
According to many in the media, the Padres have already had discussions with teams about some pretty high priced talent.Werth, Lee (albeit short talks), Berkman, Oswalt, and several others.
The Padres are probably NOT considering Bautista because A) He is having a career year which means his price in arbitration will be sky high next season B) his numbers will likely decline SHARPLY in Petco C) he is a horrible outfielder (horrible fielder period).
A SMALL piece (meaning a bat) won't help the team much. A SMALL piece might add a few runs, but not enough wins to make it worth making a trade and possibly upsetting the chemistry. The Padres are NOT going to make a trade simply to be able to say they made a trade. They are ONLY going to do it if they get better now and in the future and that means an impact player(pitcher or hitter or both) or an impact ML ready prospect.
The Padres FO have said they prefer a pitcher who will be a Free Agent after the season. A) they believe a pitcher will give them a discount like Garland did and B) if they are unable to sign the pitcher they will get some draft pick compensation (Two 1st round picks for a Type A Free Agent and 1 for Type B)
It isn't about HAVING to go after cheaper talent, its about getting a deal that will benefit the club both short term and long term.
You have been doing this long enough that you should know that.
Oh. Castro may very well get a call up at some point this season and if not, certainly next June.
Cumberland's only knock is injuries. He very well could be a Padre now if he had not spent so much time on the DL over the past 3 seasons. I would expect to see him in a Padres uniform sometime next season.
- Web
Tim,
The San Diego Padres have NOT spoken with Dye nor will they. If you think that after everything Hoyer and Moorad have said recently and have done since last seasons end to build a great fielding team, that they are going to go out and sign a guy that wont even be able hit effectively for at least 4 weeks while he has his "spring training" in August, who will NOT be nearly as good of hitter he was in US Cellular Field AND who was amongst the worst fielding outfielders in baseball his last couple of seasons, then you really need to get another job that doesn't involve fact checking.
According to many in the media, the Padres have already had discussions with teams about some pretty high priced talent.Werth, Lee (albeit short talks), Berkman, Oswalt, and several others.
The Padres are probably NOT considering Bautista because A) He is having a career year which means his price in arbitration will be sky high next season B) his numbers will likely decline SHARPLY in Petco C) he is a horrible outfielder (horrible fielder period).
A SMALL piece (meaning a bat) won't help the team much. A SMALL piece might add a few runs, but not enough wins to make it worth making a trade and possibly upsetting the chemistry. The Padres are NOT going to make a trade simply to be able to say they made a trade. They are ONLY going to do it if they get better now and in the future and that means an impact player(pitcher or hitter or both) or an impact ML ready prospect.
The Padres FO have said they prefer a pitcher who will be a Free Agent after the season. A) they believe a pitcher will give them a discount like Garland did and B) if they are unable to sign the pitcher they will get some draft pick compensation (Two 1st round picks for a Type A Free Agent and 1 for Type B)
It isn't about HAVING to go after cheaper talent, its about getting a deal that will benefit the club both short term and long term.
You have been doing this long enough that you should know that.
Oh. Castro may very well get a call up at some point this season and if not, certainly next June.
Cumberland's only knock is injuries. He very well could be a Padre now if he had not spent so much time on the DL over the past 3 seasons. I would expect to see him in a Padres uniform sometime next season.
- Web
Friday, July 09, 2010
Rangers over pay for Lee rental
Friday July 9, 2010
I guess the Padres were not willing to rape their farm system to get Cliff Lee.
Today the Texas Rangers agreed to a deal that will send 4 of their top prospects including Uber-prospect Justin Smoak to the Seattle Mariners for Lee and middle reliever Mark Lowe and about $2.5 million to help the bankrupt Rangers pay the balance of Lee's 2010 salary.
To beat out the New York Yankees for a 3 month rental of Cliff Lee, the Rangers have essentially given up their starting catcher of the future and 3 of the top 20 prospects in their system, all of whom were at AA this season.
They mortgaged the future on the hopes of making a deep run in the playoffs this season.
Was it a mistake?
In my eyes, yes.
Over his 7 starts in Rangers Ballpark, Lee has a miserable 7.62 ERA and a .311 BAA. Not exactly comforting numbers for the Rangers faithful. He has not exactly been lights out in Oakland Coliseum or Angels Stadium either, turning in an ERA over 4.30.
And for 3 months of Lee, or more specifically to keep the Yankees from getting 3 months of Lee's pitching, the Rangers sent the Mariners their 2007 (Blake Beavan) and 2008 (Smoak) 1st round picks plus 2 other promising prospects in fireball throwing LHP Josh Lueke and 2B Matt Lawson.
How good is the package the Rangers sent to the Mariners?
All I can say is that the Rangers better make it to the World Series or this trade could come back to haunt them for years to come.
I guess the Padres were not willing to rape their farm system to get Cliff Lee.
Today the Texas Rangers agreed to a deal that will send 4 of their top prospects including Uber-prospect Justin Smoak to the Seattle Mariners for Lee and middle reliever Mark Lowe and about $2.5 million to help the bankrupt Rangers pay the balance of Lee's 2010 salary.
To beat out the New York Yankees for a 3 month rental of Cliff Lee, the Rangers have essentially given up their starting catcher of the future and 3 of the top 20 prospects in their system, all of whom were at AA this season.
They mortgaged the future on the hopes of making a deep run in the playoffs this season.
Was it a mistake?
In my eyes, yes.
Over his 7 starts in Rangers Ballpark, Lee has a miserable 7.62 ERA and a .311 BAA. Not exactly comforting numbers for the Rangers faithful. He has not exactly been lights out in Oakland Coliseum or Angels Stadium either, turning in an ERA over 4.30.
And for 3 months of Lee, or more specifically to keep the Yankees from getting 3 months of Lee's pitching, the Rangers sent the Mariners their 2007 (Blake Beavan) and 2008 (Smoak) 1st round picks plus 2 other promising prospects in fireball throwing LHP Josh Lueke and 2B Matt Lawson.
How good is the package the Rangers sent to the Mariners?
- Smoak will step into the Mariners roster immediately, forcing out Casey Kotchman.
- Lueke can likely step in to replace Lowe in the Mariners bullpen immediately. He has been very good at AA Frisco this season.
- Beavan is just 21 years old and is considered one of the top prospects in the Rangers system and is one of the youngest pitchers in the AA Texas League.
- Lawson is a power hitting 2B that will likely be fighting with Dustin Ackley for playing time in the Mariners infield next season, especially if Jose Lopez's option is not picked up.
All I can say is that the Rangers better make it to the World Series or this trade could come back to haunt them for years to come.
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
Pussjica
Tuesday July 6th, 2010
Edward Mujica has a new name - Pussjica.
Against the Nationals tonight he threw ZERO pitches on the inside half of the plate. ZERO. NONE.
He throws a 95 MPH fastball and he is too much of a wimp to throw even TRY to throw a single pitch inside. THAT is why he gets crushed when he does give up a hit.
An effective pitcher takes command of the inner third and keeps the hitter from leaning out over the plate. Even soft tossers like LeBlanc are not afraid to put one on the batters hands or brush someone back. Pussjica throws everything on the outer stripe, so when he accidentally allows a pitch to stray back over the plate, the batter takes it for a ride. That = 2.3 HR/9
The next worst on the team is 1.13 HR/9 Mujica gives up DOUBLE the number of home runs of the next worst pitcher on the team. Of the 533 pitchers that have thrown a pitch in the majors this season, only 35 give up more HR/9.
I guess I should say he didn't INTENTIONALLY throw any pitches inside. One floated out over the plate and was crushed to the gap for a double.
His percentage of inherited runners that scored is 33%! 3 of 9.
He has entered 10 games with a lead and was only able to hold 4 of them.
His aLI is under 1.0 meaning he comes in for mostly low pressure situations.
His FIP is 4.80. Only Gallagher and Ramos are worse among Padres relievers. Notice that neither are with the Padres now?
So what IS his value? I can't seem to find much unless its eating innings when the Padres are up (or down) by 5 or more runs.. Hopefully some other team does and the Padres can ship him out while his ERA is still low.
Ok, my rant is done. Back to watching my NL leading Padres.
- Web
Edward Mujica has a new name - Pussjica.
Against the Nationals tonight he threw ZERO pitches on the inside half of the plate. ZERO. NONE.
He throws a 95 MPH fastball and he is too much of a wimp to throw even TRY to throw a single pitch inside. THAT is why he gets crushed when he does give up a hit.
An effective pitcher takes command of the inner third and keeps the hitter from leaning out over the plate. Even soft tossers like LeBlanc are not afraid to put one on the batters hands or brush someone back. Pussjica throws everything on the outer stripe, so when he accidentally allows a pitch to stray back over the plate, the batter takes it for a ride. That = 2.3 HR/9
The next worst on the team is 1.13 HR/9 Mujica gives up DOUBLE the number of home runs of the next worst pitcher on the team. Of the 533 pitchers that have thrown a pitch in the majors this season, only 35 give up more HR/9.
I guess I should say he didn't INTENTIONALLY throw any pitches inside. One floated out over the plate and was crushed to the gap for a double.
His percentage of inherited runners that scored is 33%! 3 of 9.
He has entered 10 games with a lead and was only able to hold 4 of them.
His aLI is under 1.0 meaning he comes in for mostly low pressure situations.
His FIP is 4.80. Only Gallagher and Ramos are worse among Padres relievers. Notice that neither are with the Padres now?
So what IS his value? I can't seem to find much unless its eating innings when the Padres are up (or down) by 5 or more runs.. Hopefully some other team does and the Padres can ship him out while his ERA is still low.
Ok, my rant is done. Back to watching my NL leading Padres.
- Web
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