Another one bites the dust

Wednesday June4, 2009

Another one bites the dust.

With Scott Hairston's bicep injury, yet another Padre went on the DL today.

That makes it seven players on the DL currently and nine players who have spent time there so far this season.

Will Venable was called up to take Hairston's place in the lineup. Drew Macias would have been called up, but a contusion on his left hand may send him to the DL as well.

Last time I checked the Padres were on pace for 1100 player days on the DL in 2009 or just a few under their MLB record of 1200+ player days on the DL last season.

The record amount of injuries that plagued the Padres in 2009 is what doomed their season. Could they be on the way to another injury and loss filled season?

I sure hope not. It is hard watching your AAA players in a Padres uniform every day.

The good news is that Everth Cabrera has started his minor league rehab assignment and has to join the Padres by June 23rd and Mike Adams is also on a rehab assignment and could join the Padres as soon as Friday.

Should the Padres trade Chris Young?

Saturday May 30, 2009

I know alot of the focus has been on the Padres dumping salary by trading away Jake Peavy, but I think the Padres may be able to get more value in trading Chris Young.

Young is pitching well and because of his relatively low salary requirements over the next 2 seasons ($4.5 million in 2009, $6.25 million in 2010 and a club option at $8.5 million in 2011) and being locked up for 2 seasons without a no trade clause, Young may actually bring back more value in trade than he is giving the Padres.

Lets face it, while a good pitcher, Young is not a stopper like Peavy. If you have one game you absolutely must win you are not going to run Chris Young out there.

But Young's numbers are very good and he holds high value.

The Phillies have a big need for pitching with Myers out for the season and they have some great young arms they could send back in return.

The White Sox obviously need pitching and would probably send the same package minus Lance Broadway back in trade for Young. The big question is how would he do in that bandbox?

The Marlins are looking for pitching help and could be tempted by Young's low salary in 2010 and 2011, although it is a bit more than they normally pay. Straight up for Uggla?

The Mets could use another starter and Young would be a perfect fit in that huge park. Would they be willing to part with Fernando Martinez and a couple of low level pitching prospects?

Seattle could use another starter and they are rumored to be shopping Bedard which would great a big hole in their lineup. The Padres were very interested in Garrett Olson prior to the season. Could a trade for Olson and a couple of prospects be in the works for Young?

Obviously there is a need on several teams and a couple that may even be good fits for a flyball pitcher.

I have had my say. Now what do you think?

Padres Win, Padres Win, Padres Win

Wee hours of the morning Saturday May 16, 2009

Padres Win!

Been a while since we have been able to say that!

This win was a team win. Everyone contributed!

Kevin Correia pitched 7 strong giving up just 5 hits, 3 runs and limited his walks to 2.
That is nearly a miracle in and of itself.

And the Padres came back from a 3-1 deficit to score runs in the bottom of the 6th and 7th to win the game over the Cincinnati Reds.

Adrian Gonzalez continues to be ON FIRE, hitting his major league leading 15th home run of the season in the bottom of the 1st inning. Don't look now, but Adrian is on pace to hit 67.5 home runs for the season. I don't think he will get there, but 40 is certainly within reach and reason for the younger Gonzalez.

Brian Giles was batting leadoff tonight and contributed a hit and a run.

Kevin Kouzmanoff came up with a clutch double in the 6th to drive in Jody Gerut who singled. Gerut also also hit a Sac Fly fly in the 7th to drive in a run.

All of the starters had at least one hit with Eckstein and Hairston also driving in runs with singles in a three run 7th.

Bell came in with 2 out in the 8th and induced a pop out from Brandon Harris, then overcame a lead off double and a walk to get his 9th save of the season.

Bell is perfect in 9 save opportunities and maintained his 0.00 ERA.

So say it with me folks. It feels too good not to.

Padres Win! Padres Win! Padres Win!

Padres DFA Duaner Sanchez and Claim INF Josh Wilson

Friday May 15, 2009

That didn't take long.

According to Corey Brock of MLB.com on his Twitter, the San Diego Padres have designated Duaner Sanchez for assignment, giving the team 10 days to trade or place the reliever on waivers. It is expected that Sanchez and his 9.00 ERA in 12 appearances this season will easily make it through waivers. The Padres can then assign him to their minor league system.

The Padres also claimed the well travelled 29 year old infielder Josh Wilson off waivers, after the Diamondbacks designated him for assignment earlier this week.

Wilson is a career minor leaguer and has hit .233/.290/.324/.614 at the major league level over 127 games and 4 seasons.

His best season was 2007 when he hit .251 while playing in 90 games, starting 72 at SS, 2B and 3B.

Wilson also pitched one inning in 2007 and 2009 and now has a 0.00 career era. Maybe he can help out in the pen when he isn't playing middle infield.

Wilson will help out in the middle infield while Luis Rodriguez and Everth Cabrera are on the DL.

Dont expect much from Wilson. He is as bad or worse with the glove than Edgar Gonzalez of Luis Rodriguez at SS and has not been a great hitter at either the minor league or major league level.

The Padres also sent down RH reliever Edwin Moreno and called up RH reliever Greg Burke and LH reliever Joe "Becky" Thatcher.

Burke has been dominating at AAA as has Thatcher.

Those of you who follow this blog know I am not enamored of Thatcher. Thatcher has shown he is one of those guys that allows way too high of a percentage of inherited runners to score, while keeping his own ERA down. He doesn't help a team to win, but his stats look good.

Lets hope Thatcher has learned something in his time at AAA This season.

Eckstein Delivers Walk Off Single in Extra innings.

Thursday May 9, 2009

David Eckstein delivered a walk off single in a 4-3 San Diego Padre win that may have sealed the fate of Arizona Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin.

After Kevin Kouzmanoff stroked his 2nd double and 3rd hit of the game, both Nick Hundley and Chris Burke drew a walk setting the stage for Eckstein.

Eckstein came through with s sharply hit single down the line to RF driving in Kouzmanoff.

This was the 2nd straight win which has been decided in extra innings and the 8th come from behind win for the Padres this season.

Chris young looked sharp for 6 innings allowing just 3 runs and 5 hits, striking out 6 on 98 pitches.

Kevin Kouzmanoff has what Padres fans can hope is a breakout game going 3 for 5 and scoring two of the Padres 4 runs.

After the game the Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin was fired and will reportedly be replaced as field general by VP of Player Development AJ Finch. The Diamondbacks had stumbled out to a 12-17 start this season after stumbling badly last season after a 20-8 start.

The Padres now head out on the road for a 6 game, 7 day trip that begins tomorrow night in Houston against a struggling Astros team.

Peavy has another great outing and is let down by the offense - Again!

Denis Potroy/AP

Wednesday May 6, 2009


Jake Peavy let down by Padres Offense again.

Jake Peavy had his 2nd straight great game tonight, turning in a performance in which he went 7.0 IP while giving up just 4 hits, 2 runs and 3 BB and struck out 12 Arizona Diamondbacks.

Once again Peavy was let down by an anemic San Diego Padres offense.

Do the Padres players just expect Peavy to throw shutouts every time he pitches? Is that why they so consistently score 3 or fewer runs when he is on the mound?

It is time for Giles, Ecsktein, Kouzmanoff, and Gerut to step up. Adrian Gonzalez is doing his job, now these other important cogs on this team need to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps and start hitting the ball.

We are in May now and its far past time to be getting shut out for 7 innings by the likes of Jon Garland. And to only get 3 hits in 8 innings against the middle of the Diamondbacks pitching rotation is more than just disappointing, it is embarrassing.

I am calling for the Padres to jettison Duaner Sanchez NOW!

I admit that I liked the signing prior tot he season, but the experiment is a failure. He just absolutely refuses to throw his fastball for strikes and when he does he is behind in the count and it gets crushed.

At this point I am pretty sure the guy will fly through waivers with no problem, so DFA him tomorrow.

Bring up Burke or DeHoyos who are tearing up AAA if you have to keep 13 men on the pitching staff.

Or bring up catcher Eliezer Alfonzo who is hitting the cover off the ball.

Just get rid of Duaner Sanchez.

I have had my say. Now What do you think?

What is with all the TWO games series this season?

Wednesday May 6, 2009

I am wondering what is up with all the TWO game series we are seeing in 2009?

In years past I was used to seeing only 3 and 4 games series, but already this year this is the 3rd TWO games series the Padres will play.

And there are 3 MORE to come!

Why?

Can anyone answer that question for me?

Can't the same idiots that scheduled so many games in the north and east in April figure it out so teams are playing 3 and 4 games series all season?

For my almost my entire life the games were scheduled in warm weather climates or domes to start the season and teams played 3 and 4 games series.

Now in 2008 and 2009 we are starting the season in open air ballparks in places where it normally snows and rains in early April and teams play a half dozen 2 game series each season and fly coast to coast without an off day at least once in the month of April alone.

Can someone please help me out here. I'm confused!!!

Giles comes through in bottom of the 10th!

HAPPY Cinco De Mayo, 2009

Brian Giles with a Walk Off Double!

For the 2nd time at home this season Brian Giles comes through with a walk off hit in extra innings.

Tonight it was a one out double to DEEP right center that scored Edgar Gonzalez. Gonzalez was on base after walking against Matt Daley.

Padres Win, Padres Win, Padres Win.

Does Bell com in for the 9th?

Cinco De Mayo 2009

So does Black bring in Bell for the 9th inning in a tie game?

The Padres badly need a win and Bell could shut the Rockies down.

Does Black do the right thing and bring him in now?

Padres Injury Report - May 1st

Friday May 1, 2009

Should we be screaming Mayday, mayday when it comes to the Padres Injuries to date.

The Padres have SEVEN players on the DL and lead baseball with 143 Player DL days as a team.

Cliff Floyd who has struggled with injuries the past few seasons has not taken an at bat as a Padre yet this season. Now he has suffered through fluid on his right knee the past two weeks. He is currently back in San Diego rehabilitating his injured knee. If all goes well, he could take batting practice on Monday, when the team returns to PETCO Park. If not he could have more surgery on the knee and have his rehab set back at least 4 weeks.

Oft injured pitcher Shawn Hill is also back in San Diego to rehab. No structural damage was found during MRI and stress tests so he may be able to start a minor league rehab assignments in as little as two weeks.

Walter Silva is expected to report to pitch for AAA Portland on Monday to begin his rehab assignment. If all goes well he could be back in a Padres uniform as soon as the middle of the May, probably in a bullpen role.

Cha Seung Baek, who has been on the disabled list with a strained right forearm since March 27th, will make his second Minor League rehab start Sunday with Class A Lake Elsinore and is expected to be ready to rejoin the Padres as soon as May 13th in Chicago.

In other injury news, Mike Adams is progressing ahead of schedule in his rehab and could rejoin the Padres in June.

As reported on this blog earlier, according to Corey Brock of MLB.com, Mark Prior has once again hit a snag in his rehab efforts after feeling soreness in his shoulder after a bullpen session on Thursday. It is not yet know when he will be ready to resume throwing.

Relief pitcher Eulogio "Frankie" De La Cruz has cleared waivers and will report to AAA Portland where he will be given the chance to start. He was designated for assignment on April 27th to make room for Chad Gaudin on the 40-man and 25-man roster.

AAA starter Mike Ekstrom, who was waived to make room on the 40 man roster for Arturo Lopez, has cleared waivers. He will likely be assigned to AAA Portland.

That is today's Padres Injury Report.

Lopez is not the answer for Padres, Good Defense Is

Wednesday April 29, 2009

The Padres brought up left handed reliever Arturo Lopez in the hopes that he could stop the bleeding in the bullpen when it comes to left handed batters.

Going into today's game the Padres Bullpen is allowing a BAA of .292 to left handed batters.

No such luck. Lopez walked the first two batters he faced, gave up a hard hit 2 run single and then hit a batter before being lifted for Luis Perdomo without getting an out.

Now do not get me wrong. The loss cannot be pinned on Lopez today.

That dishonor goes to Edgar Gonzalez.

Edgar Gonzalez blew a routine play that would have been the 1st out in the 6th and the inning would have ended on a fly ball that was instead a sac fly that scored the 2nd run of the inning.

If Edgar does his job on that ground ball for the 1st out of the inning, Tulowitzki is at 2nd for Ianneta's single up the middle and has to be held at 3rd, Cook either swings away or sacrifices the runners to 2nd and 3rd with 2 out and Fowler's fly ball is the 3rd out of the inning. Lopez does not come into the game in the 6th and the Padres go into the 9th ahead 5-3.

The difference in the game was Defense, not pitching.

Now I know there are going to be alot of people who are whining about the Padres pitching after tonight's game, but their distress and venom is misplaced.

Some will be complaining about the Padres lack of offense against Rockies Starter Aaron Cook despite the fact that the Padres scored 3 runs off Cook and 5 runs in the game. Their misgivings are also misplaced.

They should be complaining about a Padres defense that is average at best and well below average when Edgar Gonzalez is on the field. What galls me the most about this game is the thought that the middle infielder they let get away, Travis Denker, is a very good to great defensive player.

Ladies and Gentlemen, pitching and defense wins championships. ESPECIALLY when you play 81 games in the leagues best pitchers park.

It is time the Padres started to think about how many runs the players they put on the field can prevent, and less about how many runs players with poor defensive skills like Edgar Gonzalez are going to add with their mediocre bats.

So, Arturo Lopez is not the answer to what ails the Padres bullpen, Good Defense Is.

I have had my say, now what do you think?

Padres Shawn Hill may return from DL in as little as 3 weeks

Wednesday April 29, 2009

Starting pitcher Shawn Hill may return to San Diego Padres rotation in as little as 3 weeks after encouraging test results on Monday according to Owen Perkins of MLB.com.

Hill left Sunday's game after the 2nd inning with tightness in his elbow and bicep and went through an MRI and stress testing in San Diego on Monday.

Doctors found fluid on Hill's right elbow and tendinitis in his forearm, but no structural damage according to Padres Manager Bud Black.

This is very encouraging news for a Padres pitching staff that has been beset with injuries that have forced 4 other pitchers onto the DL already this season. Padres starters Cha Seung Baek and Walter Silva are both currently on the DL.

The oft injured Hill is in his 6th major league season and has never started more than 16 games in any of those seasons. His career has been punctuated by missing the entire 2005 season after Tommy John surgery in September 2004, missing substantial time in 2006 and 2007 to injuries and after starting the 2008 season on the DL Hill ended the season with elbow surgery last September.

This is not a new situation for Hill to be in, but it looks like it will be a short lived trip to the DL for a change.

With Baek and Silva both expected to begin rehab assignments this week and Hill returning in a few weeks, the Padres will be in an enviable position of having depth at the 3-5 slots in the starting pitching rotation.

Hopefully this bodes well for a Padres team that has won just two of their last 8 games and has had to maintain 8 men in their bullpen due to starting pitching that has averaged just over 5 innings per start.

Padres Win, Padres Win, Padres Win

Wednesday April 29, 2009

The San Diego Padres won 4-3 over the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver last night.

Chad Gaudin made his first start as a Padre and gave up just 3 hits while walking 4 over 5 shutout innings in his debut.

The Padres staked Gaudin to a 2 run lead in the third inning on a Scott Hairston 2 run blast to LF, but the bullpen was unable to hold the lead with Edward Mujica giving up one run in the 6th on a 2 out home run to Rockies LF Sean Smith and Luke Gregerson giving up two runs in the 7th on 4 straight singles.

The Padres came back in the top of the 9th with a leadoff triple by catcher Nick Hundley and a single by Luis Rodriguez.

Heath Bell came in for the bottom of the 9th inning and shut the Rockies down for his major league leading 8th save.

This win highlighted what has become the hallmark of the Padres team so far this season, a never say die attitude. In my opinion, having so many people write them off prior to the season has put a chip on the Padres players collective shoulders and they have fought back in just about every game.

Last night's win was the Padres 5th coming from behind late in the game and their 6th win in 8 one run games. The Padres lead the NL in wins in one run games so far this season.

With this win the Padres are 11-9 on the season and two games back of the NL West division leading Los Angeles Dodgers.

To be in the hunt after 20 games with 3 starters, 2 relievers and 2 bench players on the DL already is a hopeful sign in the hearts and minds of Padres fans everywhere.

In a side note, Adrian Gonzalez got his first major league stolen base in the top of the 6th inning.

I have had my say. Now what do you think?

Padres call up Guadin and DFA De La Cruz

Monday April 27, 2009

Today the San Diego Padres called up Chad Gaudin from AAA Portland and designated Eulogio "Frankie" De La Cruz for assignment.

Technically the Padres purchased the contract of Gaudin from Portland and he is expected to start Tuesday's game in Colorado in the 3rd slot in the rotation.

The Padres will have 10 days to trade or waive De La Cruz. If he clears waivers, the Padres can then assign him to their minor league system.

Most expect him to be picked up by another team. Can you imagine that? Is there really another team more desperate for pitching help than the Padres?

So what do you think about the Padres calling up Gaudin and DFA De LA Cruz?

Padres Injury Report Part Deux

Sunday April 26,2009

The injuries to the already shaky San Diego Padres pitching staff continue to mount.

Padres starting pitcher Shawn Hill injured the elbow and bicep of his throwing arm in Saturdays game and left the game after the 2nd inning.

The oft injured Hill was placed on the disabled list today. This is the 7th trip to the DL since 2004 for Hill who missed the entire 2005 season following Tommy John surgery.

This is the 3rd starter and 5th pitcher that has been placed on the DL since the last week of spring training. Over all the Padres have 7 players on the DL as of today.

Reliver Mike Adams was placed on the 60 day DL on March 27th after suffering an injury at the end of 2008 and undergoing off season surgery.

Reliever Mark Worrell lost his 2009 season to an elbow injury that will require Tommy John surgery.

Cha Seung Baek had tightness in his forearm and elbow and has been on the DL since the start of the season.

Walter Silva left his 2nd start of the season with tightness in his forearm and was placed on the DL.

To add insult to injury, set up man Duaner Sanchez has been sidelined since April 18th with a strained forearm and he may join Hill and company on the DL on Monday if the Padres are not seeing improvement.

Last year MLB record injuries doomed the Padres 2008 season. Are we starting to see more of the same in 2009?

There are more question marks regarding the Padres pitching staff now than at the start of the season.

Will the ineffective Jake Peavy be the next Padres pitcher to succumb to injuries? Will Chad Gaudin or Baek be back soon enough to fill Hill's slot in the rotation?
If not who will be called up?
Geer pitched 4 innings on Saturday even though he was scheduled to pitch Tuesday. Who will be the starting pitcher on Tuesday?

Time will tell. I have had my say. Now what do you think?

There is your update on the Padres Injury Report.

Padres Injury Report

Saturday April 25, 2009

Here is Injury Report on some of the Padres players currently on the DL.

Cha Seung Baek threw a bullpen session today and looked good. He is scheduled to start a minor league rehab assignment on Monday.

Walter Silva had the first of 4 bullpen sessions today according to Chris Jenkins of the San Diego Union Tribune and is expected to be a week to 10 days away from starting a minor league rehab assignment.

Cliff Floyd had an MRI on Thursday and the news is not encouraging. He had been expected to start a rehab assignment in Lake Elsinore on Friday and now that has been put on hold indefinitely.

Reliever Mike Adams has begun throwing off the mound and looks to be on track for a mid to late June return to the Padres.

Mark Prior has also begun throwing off the mound and may begin a rehab assignment as soon as the beginning of May.

In related news, Starter Chad Gaudin saw his 2nd action of the season in Portland and he looked outstanding going 5 innings and only allowing 2 hits and no runs with no walks and 7 SO. He is on track to make his first start of the season for the Padres on May 12th or 13th at the Cubs.

So there is your Padres Injury Report.

Giles to get night off on Saturday

Saturday April 25, 2009

Giles to get night off on Saturday.

The slumping Brian Giles is scheduled to get the night off against the Pirates LHP Zach Dukes one day after driving in the winning run with a walk off single in the 11th inning according to Bill Center of the San Diego Union Tribune.

Jody Gerut will get the start in RF tonight.

Scott Hairston will start in CF in what has become a lety/righty platoon with Jody Gerut.

Cliff Floyd to have MRI on ailing knee

Wednesday April 22, 2009

Cliff Floyd is returning to San Diego to have an MRI on his knee. Floyd's knee has had to be drained twice in the past three weeks.

Looks like the Padres in woes are returning in force in 2009. Already pitchers Mark Worrell(season ending elbow injury), Cha Seung Baek and Walter Silva have succumb to injuries since the start of spring training and promising young backup SS Everth Cabrera broke the hamate bone in his hand and is on the 60 day DL.

Floyd, who was already on the 15 day DL since late in Spring Training for a shoulder injury, has a history of knee problems and may have to have surgery and miss substantial time.

On a brighter note, Cha Seung Baek came out of his bullpen session on Tuesday well and may be able to start a rehab start as soon as Monday.

Padres Swept by the Giants

Wednesday April 22, 2009

One day after Jake Peavy turned in his worst pitching performance in 7 seasons as a Padre in a 8-3 loss, Chris Young and the Padres bullpen turned in a gem of a pitching performance in a 1-0 loss.

Both games were marked by an anemic offense that time after time failed to produce timely hits with men on base.

In both games the Padres out hit the Giants but failed to drive runners in when given the opportunities, leaving 9 men on base Tuesday and 10 today.

In today's game the lack of defensive prowess in LF proved to be the final blow as Chase Headley was unable to track down a fly ball to the gap that clearly was his ball to go and get. I dislike the what ifs, but in this case a faster outfielder with greater range like Scott Hairston would have gotten to that ball, preventing the run from scoring and ending the inning.

Let's hope this is not a sign of things to come.

Padres Fill Backup SS Slot

Monday April 20, 2009

It looks like the Padres were not satisfied with the SS options in their farm system to fill the hole left by the injury to Everth Cabrera.

Today San Diego made a trade with the Seattle Mariners to bring back Chris Burke.

Burke was traded to the Mariners shortly before the season started for cash considerations when the Padres determined he would not make the 25 man roster.

Burke has been playing for to Seattle's AAA team in Tacoma where he hit .237 with 1 HR in 10 games played.