Comments on: Padres Set to Release Walker http://ducksnorts.com/blog/2007/03/padres-set-to-release-walker.html Blogging the San Diego Padres baseball club. Established 1997. Tue, 02 Dec 2008 11:38:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Richard http://ducksnorts.com/blog/2007/03/padres-set-to-release-walker.html#comment-36417 Richard Thu, 29 Mar 2007 21:17:07 +0000 http://ducksnorts.com/blog/2007/03/padres-set-to-release-walker.html#comment-36417 He was offered arbitration when the thought was that he would start at second base. He lost that job to Giles and doesn't fit as an option off the bench. Why not cut him? Cutting a guy who no longer deserves a spot on the club doesn't strike me as going against the spirit of anything other than perhaps charity.<p class="top-comments">Current score: <span class="top-comments-karma" id="karma-36417">0</span> <small>(to vote for this comment, please visit the site)</small></p> He was offered arbitration when the thought was that he would start at second base. He lost that job to Giles and doesn’t fit as an option off the bench. Why not cut him? Cutting a guy who no longer deserves a spot on the club doesn’t strike me as going against the spirit of anything other than perhaps charity.

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]]> By: Ich Bin Berliner http://ducksnorts.com/blog/2007/03/padres-set-to-release-walker.html#comment-36381 Ich Bin Berliner Thu, 29 Mar 2007 13:24:37 +0000 http://ducksnorts.com/blog/2007/03/padres-set-to-release-walker.html#comment-36381 He can't field. We don't have a DH in the NL. We gave his job to Marcus Giles. Seems like a winnable case to me.<p class="top-comments">Current score: <span class="top-comments-karma" id="karma-36381">0</span> <small>(to vote for this comment, please visit the site)</small></p> He can’t field.
We don’t have a DH in the NL.
We gave his job to Marcus Giles.
Seems like a winnable case to me.

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]]> By: Coronado Mike http://ducksnorts.com/blog/2007/03/padres-set-to-release-walker.html#comment-36296 Coronado Mike Wed, 28 Mar 2007 14:38:46 +0000 http://ducksnorts.com/blog/2007/03/padres-set-to-release-walker.html#comment-36296 3 months ago, I was very content going into the season with Walker as our starting 2b...as were many, if not most of you. Now suddenly he is a pariah that does not deserve a bench spot. Walker is still a useful player. He is a decent hitter, with some pop. Now, if we have a RH guy that can back up Giles/Green and be a legit option with the bat, then I am all for this move...I guess that would mean I would need to buy into Geoff Blum. "Come on Blummer, just once this season" says the grizzled veteran pitcher...does not instill much confidence. I am usually not one to side with players or unions, but what is the use of Arbitration if the team can just cut you if they lose? Does not seem to be good faith.<p class="top-comments">Current score: <span class="top-comments-karma" id="karma-36296">0</span> <small>(to vote for this comment, please visit the site)</small></p> 3 months ago, I was very content going into the season with Walker as our starting 2b…as were many, if not most of you. Now suddenly he is a pariah that does not deserve a bench spot. Walker is still a useful player. He is a decent hitter, with some pop. Now, if we have a RH guy that can back up Giles/Green and be a legit option with the bat, then I am all for this move…I guess that would mean I would need to buy into Geoff Blum.

“Come on Blummer, just once this season” says the grizzled veteran pitcher…does not instill much confidence.

I am usually not one to side with players or unions, but what is the use of Arbitration if the team can just cut you if they lose? Does not seem to be good faith.

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]]> By: Tom Waits http://ducksnorts.com/blog/2007/03/padres-set-to-release-walker.html#comment-36295 Tom Waits Wed, 28 Mar 2007 14:28:43 +0000 http://ducksnorts.com/blog/2007/03/padres-set-to-release-walker.html#comment-36295 24: It doesn't seem like many people are mad about losing Walker's talents. I'd rather have a hitter on the bench than another defensive middle infield specialist, but it's not losing Walker that bugs me. It's the Padres being jerks and possibly doing something against the letter and spirit of the contract. That's not going to play well with other players. Come to San Diego, where if you accept our offer of arbitration and beat us, we'll stop you from getting another job until they are all taken and then cut you.<p class="top-comments">Current score: <span class="top-comments-karma" id="karma-36295">0</span> <small>(to vote for this comment, please visit the site)</small></p> 24: It doesn’t seem like many people are mad about losing Walker’s talents. I’d rather have a hitter on the bench than another defensive middle infield specialist, but it’s not losing Walker that bugs me. It’s the Padres being jerks and possibly doing something against the letter and spirit of the contract. That’s not going to play well with other players. Come to San Diego, where if you accept our offer of arbitration and beat us, we’ll stop you from getting another job until they are all taken and then cut you.

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]]> By: Clayton http://ducksnorts.com/blog/2007/03/padres-set-to-release-walker.html#comment-36292 Clayton Wed, 28 Mar 2007 14:06:53 +0000 http://ducksnorts.com/blog/2007/03/padres-set-to-release-walker.html#comment-36292 Got Peavy in my fantasy, NL-only league. 3rd pick of the 3rd round even. I feel pretty good about that. Also snagged Bard in the last round.<p class="top-comments">Current score: <span class="top-comments-karma" id="karma-36292">0</span> <small>(to vote for this comment, please visit the site)</small></p> Got Peavy in my fantasy, NL-only league. 3rd pick of the 3rd round even. I feel pretty good about that. Also snagged Bard in the last round.

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]]> By: Richard B. Wade http://ducksnorts.com/blog/2007/03/padres-set-to-release-walker.html#comment-36265 Richard B. Wade Wed, 28 Mar 2007 06:46:52 +0000 http://ducksnorts.com/blog/2007/03/padres-set-to-release-walker.html#comment-36265 22: Normandin is a Padre fan and in the past he has commented at Gas Lamp Ball. Also, the Padres should be the best team in the NL West if they get anything resembling eight wins out of David Wells. The Diamondbacks are probably the most improved team, though, and they're the most legitimate challenger. LA looks more like a .500 team and both the Rockies and Giants should sport losing records at the end of the year.<p class="top-comments">Current score: <span class="top-comments-karma" id="karma-36265">0</span> <small>(to vote for this comment, please visit the site)</small></p> 22: Normandin is a Padre fan and in the past he has commented at Gas Lamp Ball. Also, the Padres should be the best team in the NL West if they get anything resembling eight wins out of David Wells. The Diamondbacks are probably the most improved team, though, and they’re the most legitimate challenger. LA looks more like a .500 team and both the Rockies and Giants should sport losing records at the end of the year.

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]]> By: David http://ducksnorts.com/blog/2007/03/padres-set-to-release-walker.html#comment-36262 David Wed, 28 Mar 2007 04:17:40 +0000 http://ducksnorts.com/blog/2007/03/padres-set-to-release-walker.html#comment-36262 RE: Todd Walker. Come on, folks, he was a pinch-hitter at best. He can't field, and, to be frank, he didn't hit very well last season either. He's 33 years old, which means he's probably not going to improve much, to say the least. I would rather see the Pads get younger or better defensively. They have plenty of younger PH options (McAnulty, Branyan, Cust) and better defensive options, too - Robles, Alexander, and the Cubs just sent out Tomas Perez, who I think would be a perfect fit for SD. I think that San Diego is going to end up paying Walker his whole contract, if just to avoid the wrath of the union, and I think it's fair - SD shouldn't have offered arbitration if they weren't willing to pay it. Hopefully this whole affair doesn't affect the team morale much.<p class="top-comments">Current score: <span class="top-comments-karma" id="karma-36262">0</span> <small>(to vote for this comment, please visit the site)</small></p> RE: Todd Walker.

Come on, folks, he was a pinch-hitter at best. He can’t field, and, to be frank, he didn’t hit very well last season either. He’s 33 years old, which means he’s probably not going to improve much, to say the least. I would rather see the Pads get younger or better defensively. They have plenty of younger PH options (McAnulty, Branyan, Cust) and better defensive options, too - Robles, Alexander, and the Cubs just sent out Tomas Perez, who I think would be a perfect fit for SD.

I think that San Diego is going to end up paying Walker his whole contract, if just to avoid the wrath of the union, and I think it’s fair - SD shouldn’t have offered arbitration if they weren’t willing to pay it. Hopefully this whole affair doesn’t affect the team morale much.

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]]> By: LynchMob http://ducksnorts.com/blog/2007/03/padres-set-to-release-walker.html#comment-36256 LynchMob Wed, 28 Mar 2007 01:51:19 +0000 http://ducksnorts.com/blog/2007/03/padres-set-to-release-walker.html#comment-36256 17 ... I find today's spring game VERY encouraging also ... Most encouraging items from today's box score ... 1. Sledge drew a walk ... only his 4th this spring 2. 2 HRs from Branyan ... he looked BAD on Friday, then better Sat & Sun ... plus 2 singles! 3. Maddux' final line: 6 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 5 K's 4. Linebrink with a clean inning Most discouraging: Bard was 0-for-6 ...<p class="top-comments">Current score: <span class="top-comments-karma" id="karma-36256">0</span> <small>(to vote for this comment, please visit the site)</small></p> 17 … I find today’s spring game VERY encouraging also …

Most encouraging items from today’s box score …

1. Sledge drew a walk … only his 4th this spring

2. 2 HRs from Branyan … he looked BAD on Friday, then better Sat & Sun … plus 2 singles!

3. Maddux’ final line: 6 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 5 K’s

4. Linebrink with a clean inning

Most discouraging: Bard was 0-for-6 …

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]]> By: jay http://ducksnorts.com/blog/2007/03/padres-set-to-release-walker.html#comment-36252 jay Wed, 28 Mar 2007 00:29:49 +0000 http://ducksnorts.com/blog/2007/03/padres-set-to-release-walker.html#comment-36252 Also, any thoughts on BP's Hope and Faith for the Pads? http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=6013 I like Marc Normandin's writing, but I was kind of hoping to see one of our local blog authors do the analysis. I think the one thing missing is not that the Padres will be somewhat stronger but very thin at key positions (in the article), but it is the projected improvement of LA and PHX is probably the biggest question in my mind. I expect the Padres to be stronger, but I expect the other teams to be stronger as well. What team has the biggest bounce? Probably a function of luck and injuries.<p class="top-comments">Current score: <span class="top-comments-karma" id="karma-36252">0</span> <small>(to vote for this comment, please visit the site)</small></p> Also, any thoughts on BP’s Hope and Faith for the Pads?

http://www.baseballprospectus......cleid=6013

I like Marc Normandin’s writing, but I was kind of hoping to see one of our local blog authors do the analysis. I think the one thing missing is not that the Padres will be somewhat stronger but very thin at key positions (in the article), but it is the projected improvement of LA and PHX is probably the biggest question in my mind. I expect the Padres to be stronger, but I expect the other teams to be stronger as well. What team has the biggest bounce? Probably a function of luck and injuries.

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]]> By: jay http://ducksnorts.com/blog/2007/03/padres-set-to-release-walker.html#comment-36251 jay Tue, 27 Mar 2007 23:56:58 +0000 http://ducksnorts.com/blog/2007/03/padres-set-to-release-walker.html#comment-36251 I would have liked to have kept Walker. He offers a bit of a platoon for Giles, which is a nice to have, as well as injury protection. But, $4m is a lot for a back up 2B, and I am sure someone can argue that those funds have a better use. If Giles stays healthy and rebounds from last year, non-issue. If he gets hurt or slides further, a veteran who can get on base and play OK D will be looking pretty good. Maybe a lot of guys like that are floating around, maybe not.<p class="top-comments">Current score: <span class="top-comments-karma" id="karma-36251">0</span> <small>(to vote for this comment, please visit the site)</small></p> I would have liked to have kept Walker. He offers a bit of a platoon for Giles, which is a nice to have, as well as injury protection. But, $4m is a lot for a back up 2B, and I am sure someone can argue that those funds have a better use. If Giles stays healthy and rebounds from last year, non-issue. If he gets hurt or slides further, a veteran who can get on base and play OK D will be looking pretty good. Maybe a lot of guys like that are floating around, maybe not.

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