Tuesday Open Thread (31 Jul 07)
Tue, Jul 31, 2007
by Geoff Young
Our travels today take us from Fort Wayne, Ind., to Springfield, Mo. We’ll be watching the Springfield Cardinals take on the Arkansas Travelers in a Double-A Texas League contest.
Springfield’s first minor-league team, the Reds, finished second in the Class D Missouri Valley League back in 1902. Their 83-40 record placed them 2 1/2 games back of the Nevada Lunatics.
The two worst teams in the league? The Jefferson City Convicts and the Iola Gasbags.
I don’t even want to know…
[Source: Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball: The Official Record of Minor League Baseball
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.
July 31, 2007 at 8:09 am
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com is reporting that the Padres have asked the Cardinals about David Eckstein. That’s pretty out there huh? It says the Card’s were not interested in selling and that we wanted him to play 2nd.
July 31, 2007 at 8:17 am
Follow up to #1 is they are saying that Johnny Gomes and Carlos Quentin are also available. Now I know that the D-Bags would probably not be really willing to deal with us but I would love to have Quentin. Gomes would be nice to have around also. I don’t think either will happen but who knows.
July 31, 2007 at 8:26 am
Padres Prospect Report
You will not see much… Three teams had the night off and PPR is light because of it.
Monday, July 30, 2007
AAA
Jack Cassel: 7.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 7 SO, 2 HR
AA
No games scheduled…
High-A
No significant performances…
Low-A
Luis Martinez: 3 AB, 2 R, 1 H, 0 RBI; 2B, BB
Short Season-A
No game scheduled…
Rookie
Drew Cumberland: 4 AB, 1 R, 1 H, 0 RBI; SO, SB – 1st pro hit
Simon Castro: 4.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 SO, 0 HR – wow!
Commentary:
Simon Castro was regarded as having one of the most dynamic arms in the system even before the season started. He’s not exactly dominating Rookie-ball, but he is holding his own.
July 31, 2007 at 8:32 am
Thanks Peter for the PPR.
It’s nice to be able to keep up with how the minor league players in the system are doing. You are doing a great job that sometimes, I take it for granted that PPR is going to be there everyday.
Wow, Simon Castro. Nice.
I’m liking Eric Sogard more and more. So, are you thinking that Yordany Ramirez is ready for the Show next year?
July 31, 2007 at 8:39 am
Sledge was held out of the Portland lineup last night so look for him to be called up today if the pads dont trade for Loretta, Lamb, Eckstein, ect…
July 31, 2007 at 8:58 am
Re (5) Freese was also held out from the LE lineup…I hope it is a regular day off, and not an indication of him or Headley being moved.
July 31, 2007 at 9:02 am
Re: 7 he could be moving up to SA and they may be moving Headly to LF where he would have a shot to play with the big club next year.
July 31, 2007 at 9:17 am
6/7: I wouldn’t be surprised to see Headley and Freese promoted after the deadline.
July 31, 2007 at 9:19 am
Looks like Dogs trade Betemit to the Yankees for Proctor.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....NHeadlines
July 31, 2007 at 9:20 am
Headly will stay in AA to avoid the mess in AAA
July 31, 2007 at 9:22 am
Trying desperately to come up with a marketing slogan for the Iola Gasbags…
Gasbags baseball — We stink up the park before we stink up the park!
July 31, 2007 at 9:29 am
How was Simon Castro acquired? Is this his first pro season?
I like the Dodgers further committing to Nomar at third.
July 31, 2007 at 9:44 am
12: I agree. Scott Proctor doesn’t worry me much and the Dodgers have now committed to Abreu/Garciaparra at 3B for the duration…
July 31, 2007 at 9:47 am
12: I don’t know how we got Castro, but it’s great to note that he’s still only 19!
Last year he pitched in the DSL and struck out lots of guys (58 in 46 IP), but still had an ERA near 5.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.....pid=501563
July 31, 2007 at 10:15 am
1) Can someone explain to me why Houston acquired Wigginton when they had Mike Lamb?
2) I asked Rob Neyer over at the ESPN chat board what he thinks of last week`s Linebrink trade. I`m hoping for a response shortly.
July 31, 2007 at 10:15 am
Castro was a non-drafted FA (international signing)
I do not think Yordany would be ready… But then I thought they were rushing Khalil when the promoted him to AAA in an emergency and he did well enough to avoid being sent back down to AA…
Like Khalil in ‘02 or ‘03 (I forget), the organization needed a player (this time in CF) in Portland and Yordany has responded to the challenge. Do I think we should count on him at CF next year? No, but if he keeps this us, the Padres will have to think about it.
July 31, 2007 at 10:23 am
Re: 17 next year is a big decision year for the Pads, do they patch work together a roster again to try and make a run at another division title and still lack the O to get out of the first round or do they bring up some of the talent and see what happens.
July 31, 2007 at 10:41 am
I remember last year when we were all hovering around DS, waiting for the news of the blockbuster deal that never came. Oh, yeah, and the year before that, too. Having learned my lesson, I don’t see it happening this year, either.
July 31, 2007 at 10:44 am
I see KT getting desperate at 12:30 and overpaying for Loretta or Lamb other than that I see no moves.
July 31, 2007 at 10:45 am
17: That seems like it has been the decision the last 8 or 9 years…
July 31, 2007 at 11:00 am
17/19… that’s the problem with the Padres for the past decade. They do patchwork roster moves from year to year without a clear vision of what they want to do long term.
Example:
2004 - we all complained how slow they were, how they needed to get speed in here, yada yada…. so they do that, they go get a Dave Roberts, bring up Josh Barfield, aquire Mike Cameron and suddenly they can run. Earlier this year, they dump Roberts and Barfield for Kouz and Cruz and they’re slow again… then they pick up Bradley, and the outfield can run again….. make up your minds! What team are you trying to build?
July 31, 2007 at 11:02 am
Kei Igawa? Why?
July 31, 2007 at 11:09 am
22: Que?
July 31, 2007 at 11:10 am
Rumors have us going after Kei Igawa since we lost the bidding war last year… I just dont understand why?
July 31, 2007 at 11:14 am
Re: 22 its always been that the Padres have nothing in the minor league system to re-build with, so the question was always who can we get cheap to fill the many holes we have, now they have a better minor league system in which can pull talent from. This gives them a legitimate option to rebuild from within the organization, but it would require a down year for all the guys to get ready.
July 31, 2007 at 11:15 am
21: I’d rather have them flexible than stuck on executing a plan that may not work. That 2004 team was better than the 2005 squad that went to the playoffs, and the 2007 team may be the best of the last 4.
22: Haven’t seen a report of this, but Igawa would be the classic distressed property buy. NY paid the posting fee, his contract’s only 4M per season and he’s signed for 4 years after this.
July 31, 2007 at 11:15 am
21: I think they are trying to build a winner. There is no one way to do that.
Also, according to Dan Fox’s base running stuff, the Padres have the best base running in the game this year. Also their defense is very good. So I don’t know if they’re “slow again”.
July 31, 2007 at 11:16 am
Re: 25 Because KT still see’s talent in him if he plays for a club who does not reside in NY, Bos or Chi and he can get him on the cheap from the yanks.
July 31, 2007 at 11:17 am
25: And from 1999 to 2003, we were usually sellers, not buyers. There were some good trades made then for prospects, many of whom did not turn out.
In 2001 we could have moved Klesko, Nevin, and Boone, but that year we were actually playing well. Hard to fault the team for not getting rid of their best players when the fans had suffered through 2 straight bad teams.
July 31, 2007 at 11:18 am
26: 4 Mil/per seems like overpaying to me
July 31, 2007 at 11:21 am
Put Kouz in the outfield bring up Headley??
July 31, 2007 at 11:22 am
30: It’s barely over the major league average, less than we’ll end up paying Boomer this year, and Igawa can at least throw 200+ innings. The Yankees might even pay part of his salary.
The BP team says Igawa isn’t being traded.
July 31, 2007 at 11:22 am
27: I think they are trying to build a “contender” not a winner. When was the last time they made moves that really say we want to win the World Series? Whether or not it does that, at lease it send the fans that kind of message.
July 31, 2007 at 11:25 am
32: Has he earned a 4 year deal getting paid over the league average? Getting paid more than CY (I think)? Well’s career at least earned him this money, not that i was completely happy about it but at least there is valid reasoning.
July 31, 2007 at 11:25 am
Re: 32 You cant have Kouz change positions in the middle of the year when the Pads are in a pinnate race, also the last thing the Pads need is another inconsistent bat which they would get from a mid season call up.
July 31, 2007 at 11:29 am
35: Agreed. And where in the outfield would Kouz even fit? Our OF seems pretty solid… can Headley or Kouz play 2B (this might be a stupid question)?
July 31, 2007 at 11:29 am
Re: 35 at this point I would reather have Igawa over Wells and Germano, the pads have the room to add his salary, but as TW said its moot because the Yanks are not going to trade him.
July 31, 2007 at 11:32 am
Re: 37 no point in moving them because Antonelli will be ready by the middel of next season, why stunt thier growth at where ever they are going to play next year?
Pulling up a rookie from AA is not the answer to the padres offensive woh’s, Headley did not exactly light the diamond on fire when he was up here, he may some day but that alot of presure to put on a rookie.
July 31, 2007 at 11:33 am
37: One place it says he will be traded one place it says he wont. Who know what the Yanks will do. I just dont want another pitcher to be overpaid by us just because he is from Japan.
July 31, 2007 at 11:33 am
30.
I would take him at $4mil per. The only thing that I care about is not giving up too much for him. The Yanks paid like $25 mil to get him so I doubt they just hand him off. But he might be able to relax here and $4mil for a starter is pretty much a good bargin these days. I don’t know it doesn’t make me jump for joy but I like the idea of a back of the rotation lefty that has performed well in japan. I wouldn’t hate it but I wouldn’t totally love it either unless we buy low.
July 31, 2007 at 11:34 am
33: I think it’s very tough to build a contender without building a winner. If you can contend (like win divisions, get into the playoffs, ect) I think you can win it all. Look at history for the proof there. I can’t see why the front office would try to intentionally not build a WS caliber team. What’s in it for them to do that? Of course they don’t set the payroll, but they do have to work with it.
July 31, 2007 at 11:37 am
38: Learning to play multiple infield positions is never stunting someones growth, only making them grow more and making them more valuable to the organization in my opinion.
40: Saying someone performed well in Japan, to me, is like saying they were lights out in AAA. You dont give the AAA pitcher millions straight out of AAA. For me, this is why I have never really liked going after Japanese players.
July 31, 2007 at 11:38 am
32: The Cardinals last year proved there is no difference between contending for the playoffs and having a chance to win the the World Series.
I would say the aggressive moves they made to get Bradley and Barrett sent the message they want to win the World Series.
Sign me up for buying low on Igawa.
July 31, 2007 at 11:38 am
34: Earned isn’t the question. None of the players we drafted this year “earned” their bonuses. We paid them the market rate (and so far, not a cent more!) for their possible future contributions.
That’s what we’d be doing with Igawa. A lot of teams saw him as a legitimate major league starter. A couple of bad months with the Yanks doesn’t really change that.
37: I wouldn’t put all my money on BP knowing Igawa’s status.
July 31, 2007 at 11:41 am
41: They know for the most part, fans like to see thier team win and be in the division race every year. To me a contender is what we have been the last 3 years, a team that kind of surprises us and we are happy they did as well as they did. A winner, may not win the whole thing, but the FO has made the moves to tell the fans, we want to win this whole thing, not just play games that matter in September.
July 31, 2007 at 11:41 am
43: Those were aggressive moves?
July 31, 2007 at 11:43 am
44: What draftee earns 25 mill plus 4 million a year?
July 31, 2007 at 11:49 am
Don’t know if this has been posted, I haven’t come around in a couple days.
Good Article (read=feel good) on Colt Morton
http://tinyurl.com/287ln9
July 31, 2007 at 11:50 am
42.
So you wouldn’t want or be willing to pay a pitcher $4mil that was “lights out in AAA”?
July 31, 2007 at 11:51 am
43: guys like B(l)um and Branyan need to learn multiple positions to help the team when your good enough to play everyday in the same spot you dont need to learn another position especially when your team is in the middle of a playoff race.
44: you have to remember the 2007 Cardinal team was a good team that was killed by injuries all year and got lucky with Weaver and Reyes you cant bank on that. Also last time I checked the Padres did not have a position player who could even come close to holding Puljos jock.
48: Igawa did not see any of the 25 mil, the 4/year is all he gets to move to the US and have to deal with the NY media.
July 31, 2007 at 11:52 am
47.
Igawa didn’t get $25mil plus $4mil a year.
July 31, 2007 at 11:52 am
According to Jayson Stark: Rob McCoviak (sp?) from WhiteSox to Pads for a minor leaguer….
July 31, 2007 at 11:52 am
47: Igawa didn’t get any of the 25 million. That was the posting fee that went to his Japanese team. He’s making 4 million a year.
Just like American or Latin free agents, sometimes you’re going to do well (Ichiro, Hideki Matsui) and sometimes you’re not. If you get Igawa, with the chance to be a better pitcher for us this year and next than anybody BUT Peavy and Chris Young, and all he costs is 4M a year, then of course you do it. If you don’t think he’s that good, it’s still worth considering, because we’re going to need to replace at least Boomer next year and we don’t have a lot of in-house options.
July 31, 2007 at 11:54 am
47.
That’s just it as well he wasn’t a draftee he was good enough to make teams want to buy his negotiation rights from his japanesse team.
July 31, 2007 at 11:55 am
Rob Mackowiak : (B) L; (T) R; (AB) 237; (AVG) .278; (OBP) .354; (SLG) .418, plays outfield?
Seems like a strange deal if this is true….
July 31, 2007 at 11:56 am
confirmation of the deal?
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=2956001
July 31, 2007 at 11:58 am
49: No, he hasnt proved it at the ML level yet.
50: I realized that after I posted it. The 25 million was the fee to get him over here and he doesnt get that, but you are still paying it and it will make the Yankees want more for him.
53: I dont think he is that good, he isnt 25 million good or 4 million good. Whether or not the 25 million goes to the player or his old team, it is still leaving your hand and it shouldnt matter past that point. If the Yankees will pay part of his salary, I might like this idea but I doubt they will want to since they paid the posting fee,
July 31, 2007 at 12:01 pm
55: Strengthening the bench?
July 31, 2007 at 12:01 pm
may not be to bad depending on who they gave up
July 31, 2007 at 12:03 pm
58: yeah, I guess, also perhaps putting a little more post-season “winning” experience on the roster….also, should be tight with silent L……
July 31, 2007 at 12:03 pm
1 hour left…
July 31, 2007 at 12:04 pm
So long, Jose Cruz Jr.?
July 31, 2007 at 12:06 pm
62: How bout we dont carry 13 pitchers instead?
July 31, 2007 at 12:06 pm
wait, sorry, joined sox in 2006… that would be after the world series…and silent (l)
July 31, 2007 at 12:07 pm
1 hour 30 min until the KT ” we still have until Aug 31 to get guy of waivers” press conferance
July 31, 2007 at 12:09 pm
Another outifielder seriously? Pull the trigger on Lamb already KT!!!
July 31, 2007 at 12:11 pm
I’d take Lamb or Loretta at this point. Either one is fine as long as we dont give up a whole lot. We need improvement at 2B. Loretta gives us a good #2 hitter Lamb gives us a good #6/7 hitter. Lets just see it happen.
July 31, 2007 at 12:12 pm
padres also acquired Ensberg according to Buster Olney….
July 31, 2007 at 12:14 pm
kruks comment: “the padres - I don’t know where they’re going… let’s acquire 18 bench players and see which one of them get hot….”….
i’m not a big fan of Kruk’s analysis usually, but…
July 31, 2007 at 12:14 pm
Mackowiak is left-handed hitting and versatile. We needed a lefty on the bench, so it’s a solid move. He’s played third base some, so he’s essentially in place of Lamb.
July 31, 2007 at 12:15 pm
Re: 71 Lamb can play 2B
July 31, 2007 at 12:16 pm
68: Was this on TV?
70: Except Lamb could play 2B couldnt he?
July 31, 2007 at 12:16 pm
57.
So are you not willing to give a high school kid a 4 or 5 million contract when he gets drafted simply because he has not proved himself in college or at any level of the minors?
If it were more money I would agree with totally but dude it’s $4 million dollars. That is not bad for his potential.
July 31, 2007 at 12:17 pm
Re: 72 n/m so can Mackowiak
July 31, 2007 at 12:17 pm
57: If a pitcher had been dominant in the majors, you’d be paying him more than 4M on the open market.
Of course who’s paying the 25M matters. If we’re not paying it, it doesn’t matter. But the Yanks seem to have little interest in moving him.
66: Mack has played 3b and 2b before.
July 31, 2007 at 12:17 pm
72: yup.
July 31, 2007 at 12:18 pm
73: 4 million bonus or a 4 year 4 million deal? A kid out of high school I easliy give 4 million to sign, but I’m not siging him to a 4 year deal at 4 million a year and hending another team a player in return.
July 31, 2007 at 12:19 pm
The starting lineup is fine, except for 2B. But overpaying for Grudzielanek or Loretta doesn’t make a lot of sense, because those guys aren’t great either. A left handed hitting complement to Kouz at third makes a lot of sense, and I think Mackowiak fills that role. Other than that, it’s just about filling the bench with better guys that what we have right now, at a low cost. It’s not sexy, but it’s what we need on offense.
July 31, 2007 at 12:20 pm
I really want to know who the Pads gave up to get Mackowiak and Ensberg
July 31, 2007 at 12:21 pm
79: so far, no news.
July 31, 2007 at 12:23 pm
Ensberg’s line from last year: .235/.396/.463 (118 OPS+). I forgot that he was actually quite good, so we’re probably just taking a chance that a change of scenery could bring that Ensberg back. Once again, the downside is low and the upside is pretty high.
July 31, 2007 at 12:23 pm
Wow well I guess we can’t bitch about not being active at the deadline this year. Where the hell are we going to put all these guys?
77.
We obviously see his value differently and I am really over trying to rationalize my thoughts on him.
July 31, 2007 at 12:24 pm
Does Mackowiak become a bench player, or does he become our starting 2B? He hasnt played a whole lot of games there, but wasnt he a starter in the OF for the Sox? I think its hard for an everyday guy to become consistant of the bench isnt it?
July 31, 2007 at 12:24 pm
79: Vince Moore, Donnie Elliott and Melvin Nieves.
July 31, 2007 at 12:25 pm
79.
I’m right there with you. I hope it doesn’t have anything to do with Freese not playing.
July 31, 2007 at 12:26 pm
82: Agreed, we are allowed to have our own opinions, I understand yours, its just not mine.
We have been busy, but we havent filled the hole in our lineup.
July 31, 2007 at 12:27 pm
any confirmation on the Ensberg pickup?
July 31, 2007 at 12:28 pm
Re: 88 MLBtraderumors and Roto world but I dont know if thats conformation
July 31, 2007 at 12:29 pm
84: Who was that for?
87: I think it was on TV
July 31, 2007 at 12:29 pm
We are almost into August Cameron 252; Greene 235; Giles 232; Barrett 254; Kouz 233; We need more than Loretta or Lamb.
July 31, 2007 at 12:29 pm
I read about Ensberg only via the ‘comments’ section on mlbtraderumors.com. See it here: http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/.....l#comments
In other words, not all that credible of a source.
July 31, 2007 at 12:29 pm
Buster Olney’s reporting the Ensberg deal. I’ve asked the BP chat if they know who we moved.
July 31, 2007 at 12:30 pm
89: Crime Dog in 1993
July 31, 2007 at 12:36 pm
Well the clubhouse is going to look a little different. What is Ensberg’s contract like? He isn’t a FA at the end of the year is he?
July 31, 2007 at 12:39 pm
94: I am pretty sure his deal this year was a 1 year deal
July 31, 2007 at 12:40 pm
what is the new bench
Mackowiak
Ensberg
Hariston
Barret/Bard
Cruz
July 31, 2007 at 12:41 pm
Hopefully this means there is no way for us to ever see Hillenbitch.
July 31, 2007 at 12:42 pm
94: Ensberg’s a FA after the year. It will be interesting to see what our bench looks like now. You know who’s not happy about the signing…Shea Hillenbrand
Bench:
Bard
Mackowiak
Ensberg
Cruz
Blum
July 31, 2007 at 12:42 pm
LOL @ KRS1
July 31, 2007 at 12:43 pm
98: What about Hairston?
July 31, 2007 at 12:43 pm
96:
Blum/Giles has to be on there still
July 31, 2007 at 12:44 pm
30 Minutes ago Will Caroll said in his Wills Mill Column at BP that we are close to a deal for both Lamb and Loretta.
July 31, 2007 at 12:45 pm
Padres gave up John Link for Mackowiak
July 31, 2007 at 12:45 pm