first pitch: 12:35 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4SD
matchup: Clay Hensley (6-8, 4.46 ERA) vs Matt Albers (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
previews: Padres.com | SI.com | ESPN
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I guess now we know why last year Bruce Bochy wouldn’t stick a guy at third who hadn’t played the position in a while. Todd Walker went 1-for-3 at the plate in his first Padres start, and 2-for-4 in the field. Just a guess here, but I’m thinking we already had guys in the organization who could do that.
On the bright side, second baseman Josh Barfield was named NL Rookie of the Month for July. Barfield hit .400/.435/.590 during the month and was second in the NL (to Philadelphia’s Chase Utley) in hits with 40. Congratulations!
Afternoon game today. Padres try to avoid the sweep against the Astros and potentially falling back out of first place.
85 pitches 4 hits 1 run why is boch pulling Clay?
Do you pick it up or do you try to sign him up for a longer deal?
That hook came WAY too quick from Boch. That is ridiculous.
pulling hensley after 85 pitches b/c of 1 run (and there are 2 outs)? seems premature…he isn’t hurt is he?
Because Clay has handed out way too many 5 run innings!
I really think this may be boch’s last year if they dont make the playoffs
I think you just pick up Cameron’s contract and see where you are next year. He’s no spring chicken and is a bit prone to injury.
They had him picked off but Adrian’s throw was wide left of the bag. Khalil deked like was tagging him anyway but he took 3rd on the play.
I agree Clay shouldn’t have been taken out. He didn’t seem to be struggling at all.
Seems a little early to be changing…and why take Walker out as well. How the hell is he going to get better at 3rd base if we take him out in the 6th inning
I remember many times Boch would send guys out there with smaller leads than this. This tells me everything I need to know about the attitude in the clubhouse. There is definitely desperation in the air. This is a must win game in Boch’s mind.
ff there are a ton of good CF on the market next year, I think you let him test the market $7 mil may be higher then they have to pay.
he put bellhorn in because walker made the last out and the pitcher is due up 3rd in the bottom.
Steve – who do you have in mind? Can’t say I’m a fan of losing Cameron’s speed in CF…
Nice Embree.
Is there anything in sight comparable to Cameron? I think he was just as valuable a pickup as Gonzalez.
Bochy loves the double shift, I think it makes him feel like a real strategist.
Nice job by Embree to get the K on a high fastball after a questionable call on Ball 3.
Who are you going to get of Cameron’s caliber for less than 7?
Strange…now Blum is hitting for Greene? what the hell is going on down there? Is there some rule for todays game that everyone has to play?
Blum hitting for Khalil? Is that an upgrade? On O or D?
Bochy is a genius! Blum pinh hits for Khalil (?) and rips a double to right field.
There you go, they didn’t pull Walker, they pulled Khalil.
blummer!
Pierre, Griffy, Edmounds, Hunter, Mathews Jr., Erstad are all FA next year. Im not saying don’t sign cameron im just saying that because there are so many good CF on the market the pads may be able to get him for less than $7 mil.
Cameron, with the complete offensive/defensive/speed package he provides, is a bargain at $7 million. I would try to restructure for a two year deal, plus option based on plate appearances (health).
Matthews Jr. is about the only one on that list that I would want..and I’m not sure I want him over Cameron
When did they learn how to bunt?
I understand the value of Cameron from a padre stand point but from a supply and demand stand point the flood of big name CF on the market can lower the price.
bellhorn: .199…but .210 at home! woo hoo!
Steve…where to begin…?
20-25hr power?? Has not gotten there yet. He might get there this year, but you can’t say he is a 20-25hr guy until he does it…IMO
Clutch hitter? Outside of Big Papi, I don’t know that one exists except in our mind…it is simply a matter of perception. If you look at guys numbers from year to year in “High-Pressure, Late Game” AB’s (have to be a SABR guy) there is so much fluctuation that “clutch hitters” are very rare…Sean Burroughs has more walk off hits in padres history than KG.
Second Half player?? NO WAY…his batting average is almost identical PRE/POST All-Star in his carerr…his Slugging falls almost 100 points Post All-Star (.480 pre, .398 post), and, as expected with his slugging drop, his HR’s fall almost 60%…
As long as we say we are ok with him being a #7 or #8 hitter with a touch of power, then okay…but someone needs to remind the fans and local media that Khalil is Chris Gomez with 8-10 extra homeruns…(Actually, Gommie had a higher fielding % AND range factor).
You do that at the risk of losing him to any of those teams willing to pay more. Every one of those teams you mentioned will be looking for a CF.
And you’d probably have to go 3 years on any of those guys. I agree with TF, try to work a two year deal with Cameron. Even one year at $7mil is a relative bargain.
I would actualy like to see the pads go after hunter in the off season.
Does bellhorn know what to do when the ump says “ball 4″? I’m surprised he didn’t stand at the plate looking confused
Bigger question is whether Khalil is injured. I can’t think of another reason to put Blum in for Khalil. With a 3 run lead, you don’t do it for defensive reasons.
Go Cubs! Up 3-0 early on Zona
mike 9 HR’s pre all star 23 post
Pierre’s getting about 6 this year – lacks Cameron’s arm, and power
Griffey – injury liability and will likely get 10-12 (a little less than Damon got
Edmonds may retire due to injuries
Torii Hunter will make way more than 7 (LA, SF, Boston all will be looking for CF)
Matthews and Erstad would be downgrades and probably cost the same as Cameron.
TF is right, Cameron is an absolute steal at 7 mil, just like he was a steal for X.
I agree he was a steal for X
Can I edit what I said…
I got the Pre/Post #’s backward…my bad…egg on my face…but the other numbers are double checked…
It will intresting if teh pads give Greene a long term contract to avoid arbitration.
Steve, I agree. I wonder what the trade market would be like for him. Maybe we should give the Rangers a jingle, a la Adam Eaton.
Khalil has the same range as Chris Gomez? Dude get serious. Who else outside of the obvious Jeter, A Rod, Tejada, Michael Young would you rather have?
You know I dont think it would be a bad idea for the pads to make a run at trying to sign Eaton. This season must have lowered his asking price.
I’m not trying to act like he’s the greatest I’m just saying he isn’t Chris Gomez!
well with the emergence of matt bush the pads may just move Greene to 3B. J/K
Why exactly, other than the fact that Boch must have filled all his lineup cards in by position, always assuming Piazza would hit 4th, before the season and now doesn’t want to order more, is Josh Bard our clean-up hitter? He’s good and all, but man…leaving a lot of guys on base.
I think you answered your own Q ff.
Steve – you can’t just think of dollars, you have to consider years. A one-year contract is extremely valuable, especially on a player Cameron’s age. There’s no way you’ll get even a decent CF on a $7m/1yr contract through free agency. Pick up the option.
Eric,
With no CF prospects down on the farm im not sure the pads would want to sign someone to a 1 year deal.
Andreuw Jones and Vernon Wells are the only good CF up for FA after 2007 and both of them will go for BIG money, this is the off season to sign a CF for the next 2-3 years.
keep the 3 run lead for Trevor