Spring Training Notes (18 Feb 07)
Sun, Feb 18, 2007
by Geoff Young
Wait, I’m here on a Sunday? It must be spring training. Ah, it feels good just to say that. To the Notemobile:
Right-hander Chris Young is working on his changeup. I know a lot of us marveled at Young’s ability to get guys out seemingly with one pitch at times last year, so this can only help. Quoth pitching coach Darren Balsley: “It’s not like we’re coming up with a new pitch. He’s got a good one.” Okay, then; let’s see more of it this season.
Left fielder Terrmel Sledge has arrived in camp early with a positive attitude. He’s also checking in at 195 pounds, down from last year’s 210. Fewer fried foods and desserts, more cross-training.
Tim Sullivan has a nice little piece on Sledge in the U-T with some choice quotes:
All I can do is go out there and bust my tail. My destiny lies in my own hands. It’s no one else’s fault. It’s all on me. So it’s good in that way because I have control of the situation. I know I’m in position to excel. This is my shot.
Here’s hoping it works out for him and the Padres.
Greg Maddux made his Padres debut on Saturday. The U-T’s Tom Krasovic marvels at his fielding prowess, while Lyle Spencer at Padres.com notes Maddux’s emphasis on the present: “What you did yesterday doesn’t matter. It’s what you do now.”
Spencer also points out that Maddux and new Padres manager Bud Black once faced each other in a June 11, 1991, matchup at Wrigley Field. The Giants won the game, though neither pitcher figured in the decision. Maddux popped into a double play in his only at-bat against Black, while Black struck out and flied to left against Maddux.
Down on the farm, Cesar Carrillo is making progress. The right-hander, who strained a ligament in his throwing elbow last summer, has thrown three bullpen sessions this spring and is slated to start the season at Triple-A Portland if healthy. Quoth GM Kevin Towers:
We want to take him along slowly. We want to be cautious with him because he’s one of our top young pitching prospects we have in our system. We have our fingers crossed that there won’t need to be a surgical procedure.
Towers also hopes that Carrillo will be in San Diego by the end of the season. I think most of us can get behind that sentiment.
Finally, Spencer has penned an article on everyone’s favorite trade target, Scott Linebrink. Nice quote from Trevor Hoffman, talking about what the loss of Linebrink would mean to the team:
Let’s not look at it just from the bullpen’s standpoint — he’s an integral part of this team’s success. I think it’s extremely flattering to him that he’s sought after by other clubs, but there’s a reason for that.
There it is. Happy spring training, folks. Go Padres!
Picking up where last year's version left off, the Ducksnorts 2008 Baseball Annual provides in-depth analysis of and commentary on the San Diego Padres. Get your copy today.
February 18, 2007 at 7:04 pm
Wait a sec, Todd Walker is going for arbitration? This wasn’t settled? Interesting…
http://tinyurl.com/3auncq to the mlb.com story on it.
Also props to Gaslamp Ball were given by Jay Jaffe at futility infielder:
http://tinyurl.com/3cn24s
February 18, 2007 at 7:32 pm
Awesome! I’m so ready for baseball. Nice to see you could work in some spring training staples right off the bat:
1. Young pitcher is working on a new pitch. He should be even more dominating this year!
2. Veteran lost weight through rigorous training and is finally healthy
3. Newly acquired star impresses his new teammates.
4. Injured prospect is healthy and ready to challenge for a spot in the rotation.
5. Under rated veteran is an integral part of the team and well liked by teammates
I really do love all the optimistic stories that we get every spring. This is the time of year when even the Royals have hope.
And just because we see similar stories every year doesn’t mean they’re without merit. Remember when Dave Roberts came over and there was talk about his new workouts designed to keep him healthy? That turned out to be true.
February 19, 2007 at 8:56 am
I think we are missing: “Unhearalded prospect overcomes past personal adversity through hard work and sheer determination”. Maybe that one will come out today.
February 19, 2007 at 9:29 am
OT: Chargers hire Norv Turner as thier new head coach.
February 19, 2007 at 10:42 am
I’m afraid that when KT says (re: Carillo) “We have our fingers crossed that there won’t need to be a surgical procedure” … that he’s been very practical! What I hear him saying is that Carillo is not yet healthy … and we won’ t know when he is for a *long* time (10 starts? 20 starts? … just don’t know) … which is a bummer … true and practical … but still a bummer … I hope they made a good medical decision to not do surgery last year … I/we just have to trust that’s the case …
February 19, 2007 at 10:51 am
Hope springs eternal in baseball. Norv Turner is exactly the kinda patsy yesman AJ Smith (meglomanic) wants as head coach. But Turner is a good offensive guy and is getting a great team. As long as he doesn’t step on AJs toes (the answer is always yes sir, how high, sir?), then he should do fine. Not to be cranky, but I don’t like spring training for exactly the reason stated. Everything is BS until opening day. MAybe a trip to actually see would give me a better attutude. Meanwhile, go Aztecs.
February 19, 2007 at 10:56 am
re 2, 3 - funny. ESPN page 2’s Sportsguy had a column a few years back (maybe pre-ESPN when he was the Boston Sportsguy) listing the 10 boilerplate spring traning articles, and I think those were on the list.
re 4 - could the Chargers have come up with a less inspiring choice? Maybe if they had hired Rich Kotite.
February 19, 2007 at 12:19 pm
Attention All Ducksnorter’s…
I have set up a Fantasy Baseball League at ESPN.com for us…
It is called Ducksnorts and is a private, 5×5, live draft.
Please feel free to join…first come first served…12-teams max.
February 19, 2007 at 12:33 pm
CM: How does one find this league?
February 19, 2007 at 3:21 pm
I will have to send out an email invite…sorry.
Give me a day to work out the kink and I will repost in the morning.
February 19, 2007 at 3:25 pm
I cant dinf the leauge do you have a link CM
February 19, 2007 at 4:58 pm
BP’s STAT OF THE DAY looks back at a good 2006 …
Top 5 2006 NL Rotations, by SNLVAR
Team, VORP, SNLVAR
San Diego Padres, 280.7, 25.6
Houston Astros, 269.6, 23.4
Florida Marlins, 164.9, 22.7
Los Angeles Dodgers, 226.8, 21.6
San Francisco Giants, 170.3, 20.6
February 19, 2007 at 6:03 pm
re: #4 I heard on ESPN radio this morning that Norv Turner couldn’t lead a bachelor party to a strip club. I think that’s about as negative an opinion as I’ve heard about a coach.
February 19, 2007 at 8:09 pm
PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) – Khalil Greene’s left middle finger is still sore six months after he injured it. The San Diego Padres shortstop insists it’s not an issue.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/ne.....;type=lgns
February 19, 2007 at 10:45 pm
Anyone interested in a 4×4 roto money league ($20/person, 70% to 1st place, 30% to 2nd place)? We’re using Yahoo and we’re drafting at 5PM on March 31st.
February 19, 2007 at 10:46 pm
what about the 5by5 espn.com league.. what is that password? is it still open Coranado Mike?
February 20, 2007 at 6:29 am
For anyone interested in the ESPN Ducksnorts FLB league, Geoff will be sending you an email with the invite…
Since I don’t have everyone’s email address and I don’t want you all to post yours for everyone to see, Geoff will be the inviter of choice.
February 20, 2007 at 6:39 am
GY, hook me up with the FBL on ESPN, Brother!
February 20, 2007 at 3:48 pm
PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) – Seattle Mariners reliever Mark Lowe will have another MRI next week to determine when he can start throwing following elbow surgery in October.
Meanwhile, former San Diego third baseman Sean Burroughs’ comeback attempt as a non-roster invitee to Seattle’s camp has been delayed before starting – because of a fishing accident.