Continuing the Padres’ Offseason of Bewilderment™, third baseman Jeff Cirillo is coming to San Diego (U-T) from the Mariners in exchange for Kevin Jarvis, Wiki Gonzalez, and Dave Hansen. Minor leaguers also are a part of the deal, although names have not been announced (speculation has centered on Mariners’ farmhand Brian Sweeney). A boatload of cash is also coming to the Pads. No word on how, or if, that cash will be spent.

Cirillo is expensive: He’s due to make $7M each of the next two years. On the other hand, he only takes up one roster spot and he was a pretty good ballplayer with Milwaukee in the late ’90s. Hard to say exactly how the Pads will use Cirillo. Almost all of his big-league experience is at the hot corner, although former and now current teammate Mark Loretta thinks he can play anywhere on the infield. One thing’s for sure: Unless Khalil Greene completely implodes this spring, there are no vacancies on the Padre infield. And having two guys (Cirillo and Ramon Vazquez) who have had experience as starters backing up the regulars isn’t a bad thing.

The trading of Gonzalez opens up the backup catcher position. Miguel Ojeda and Humberto Quintero are the only other backstops on the 40-man roster. Ojeda can hit a little, Quintero is the superior defender. Might I suggest free agent Bobby Estalella?

Jarvis’ departure streamlines the battle for #5 to Sterling Hitchcock, Ismael Valdes, and Ben Howard, in that order. If Howard doesn’t make the team, he’ll start at Portland and be first in line for a call-up. This is speculation on my part, but I’m thinking the trade of Jarvis increases Jay Witasick’s chances of sticking with the club. Jarvis conceivably could have made the staff as a reliever. Seems to me those last couple of spots in the bullpen will come down to Mike Bynum, Scott Linebrink, Brandon Villafuerte, and Witasick. Right now Witasick and Linebrink have to be considered the favorites.

Hansen’s spot could be taken by Todd Sears or Henri Stanley, I suppose.

I guess when all is said and done, I’m pretty neutral on this deal. There’s something to be said for consolidating your bad contracts. Gonzalez wasn’t helping the club at all. I’m not sure how much Cirillo will help, but he’s new blood. Change of scenery and all that.

Trying to get worked up one way or the other about the trade. Finding it difficult to do so. Aren’t anti-depressants wonderful? You don’t feel good, you don’t feel bad. You don’t feel anything. Have a nice day.