Updates on Mark Loretta, Tagg Bozied, Xavier Nady, Tim Stauffer, Rudy Seanez, and the fast approaching June draft.
- Loretta to undergo surgery Tuesday in Arizona (Padres.com). From the article: “No timetable has been established for his return, but he is expected to be back in the lineup this season.” Sigh.
- Speaking of injuries, I was listening to the Portland Beavers Monday night. On the pregame show, they talked to Tagg Bozied, who is currently at Double-A Mobile. Apparently he’s at that level because the Beavers don’t play a lot of games that require the DH early in the season, and he can’t play the field every day. Also, the stadium in Portland has artificial turf. He’ll be back up at Triple-A pretty soon.
- Richard has taken up the cause of getting Xavier Nady into the lineup. I would be very happy to see Nady’s name in the #6 or #7 spot most games. But it’s easier to defend playing a struggling veteran than it is to explain the decision to start a less proven guy if he should hit the skids. Not necessarily the best way to choose a lineup, but it’s the current reality.
- Stauffer remains confident despite shaky outing (U-T). Things you like to hear from your young pitcher: “I can pitch at this level. I can do well and help the Padres. I’ve felt that way for a while. The mental part of the game I can handle pretty well.” There’s also a little blurb on the rumored Phil Nevin for Mike Cameron deal. Basically says there’s nothing to it.
- Seanez brings closer’s stuff to middleman role (NC Times). I really do love the Pads’ bullpen.
- Elsewhere, on the draft front (it’s closer than you think), I encourage you to read Peter’s latest; he follows this stuff a lot more closely than I do and has some definite opinions. Be sure to check it out.
Padres kick off a three-game series at Arizona Tuesday night. The boys need to start playing better ball on the road if they’re serious about the post-season.
I still don’t understand why the Mets would trade Cameron for Nevin. Cameron is being paid less. He plays all three outfield positions. His numbers so far this year as well as his projected numbers are as good as if not better than Nevin’s. What am I missing?
Why don’t we move Sean to second base and put X at third? Nady isn’t the third baseman that Sean is, but Blum is one of the worst second baseman I’ve ever seen and the relatively small sample of Sean at second is kind to him. Also, Nady is a substantially better offensive player than Blum.
Richard, I’ve heard at least one other person suggest moving Burroughs to second and letting X get some time at third. It’s a novel solution to a real problem and one that just might work. But I’ll be surprised if it happens. Management decisions at that level tend to be based more on aversion to risk than on possibility of reward. Too bad, it’s a good idea.
I just updated my blog discussing that issue.
I really don’t think I’d mess with moving Burroughs to second. As tempting as it sounds to get Nady playing time, going from third to second could have far reaching implications for Burroughs. Burroughs has looked like a wall on the hot corner lately and I wouldn’t want to mess with that for what’s likely a temporary fix.
Dex makes a good point.
I’m a little surprised that Barfield’s name hasn’t even been mentioned/denied as a possible short-term replacement. I realize that you don’t want to have a repeat of rushing a kid, like they did to Freddy Guzman last year, but to not even mention his name tells me that he’s a lot further away (.229, 41K in 157 AB at Portland) from the majors than we’re led to believe. I defer to those who see him play but it’s a bit discouraging that the organziation’s #1 overall prospect is struggling to such an extent in AAA.
Barfield is not ready. He shouldn’t be rushed. I advocate calling up Scales. In 103 AB, he’s batting .350/.456/.583. The MLB equivalent of those numbers is roughly .315/.416/.493.
I suppose you touched on my larger point — is the entire organization so devoid of prospects who can play 2B (offensively – better than Damian Jackson; defensively – better than Geoff Blum)? Fill-in bench-type players work when you’re waiting for your new park to be built and are destined to lose 95 games but this is not a workable solution if you lose one of your key players and you’re planning on contending.
What about Nady and 2nd, keep Burroughs at 3rd? Nady offers so much more with that bat that it’s worth it to bear with some defensive awkwardness. I’m a little hopeful that they’ll be creative enough to do this; they did put him in CF while DRob was out.
Nady at 2B? Interesting thought. It can’t mess with him any more than riding pine must be. Weren’t they talking about Nevin at 2B a few years ago? If they thought he could do it, then why not Nady?
Second base is considered the third most difficult position to play (catcher and shortstop being first and second). I wouldn’t want to put Nady there. Again, if we don’t move Sean, we should make sure to call up Bobby Scales. If Jesse Garcia gets the nod, I may lose it.
Splitting hairs here: 2B harder than CF? Not sure I’d quite agree with that.
Buster Olney says in his blog that if Loretta is out for an extended period, then the Padres may look to acquire Polanco from the Phillies.
http://insider.espn.go.com/insider/magazine/magBlog?id=1961791
Brian, CF is fourth, but that’s already a stretch for him.