Ducksnorts 2008 Baseball Annual Preliminary Outline
Wed, Oct 10, 2007
by Geoff Young
So this has been in the works for a while. Let me know if you have any suggestions. Also, if you’re interested in reviewing chapters, drop me a line and I’ll get you added to our super secret list.
- 2007 in Review — Brief examination of past season at big-league level:
- Roster construction (distribution of talent in terms of pitching vs hitting, trade vs draft/FA, etc.; how this compares to seasons past)
- Bud Black’s first season as manager (what were his tendencies, etc.)
- Monthly recaps (statistical breakdowns, key games)
- Revisit Petco Park effects
- Revisit Bullpen on a Shoestring
- Player Commentary
- Dashboard (visual representation of relevant statistical output)
- Profile (brief scouting report)
- Forecast (what to expect in 2008 and beyond)
- Minor Leagues
- Recap by level (team results, individual highlights)
- Draft summary and analysis (philosophy, early returns, etc.)
- Depth charts
1969 Revisited — Builds on series that ran throughout 2007 season; helps give context to current state of organization:Birth of franchise; events leading to SD being awarded MLB clubExpansion draftMonthly recaps (key games, top performers, U.S. & world events)
- Overlooked ex-Padres — In last year’s book we examined top players in club history at each position; several notable names didn’t make the cut:
- Ollie Brown
- Mike Ivie
- Ruppert Jones
- Bip Roberts
- Road Trip to Cooperstown
- Best by Position — Updated & expanded; builds on last year’s version, with minimal commentary
- Kevin Towers Trade Register
- List of every trade Towers has made, along w/net Win Shares of each — builds on “Defining Deals” chapter of ’07 book
- General Manager “bubblegum card” — provides statistical overview of Towers’ record as GM, with emphasis on player procurement
- Glossary and Index — Didn’t have time to do these last year; they are needed
[Update: Several people have suggested that we push the 1969 Revisited material back a year so that it coincides with the Padres' 40th anniversary. First off, I thank you for your optimism in believing that there will be a 2009 Annual. 
Second, I agree that this is an excellent idea. Consider it done.]
* * *
Winter Leagues
Meanwhile, back where games are being played…
- Saguaros 4, Scottsdale 3 (box score). Will Venable batted sixth and DH’d, while Matt Antonelli batted eighth (!). They didn’t do much, but Padres pitchers worked the final three innings, allowing just one baserunner in the process. Will Startup picked up his first win, while Ramona’s Neil Jamison notched his first save.
- Hermosillo 6, Mexicali 3 (box score). Steve Watkins got the start and was shelled; Jared Wells worked a scoreless ninth, allowing two infield singles.
There it is. Again, if you’d like to help in development of this year’s book, please drop me a line. Rock on…
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.
October 10, 2007 at 8:22 am
BA profiled the Texas League top 20 today…
http://www.baseballamerica.com.....65007.html (list available w/out subscription - subscription required for scouting reports)
#2 Chase Headley
#6 Matt Antonelli
#19 Josh Geer
‘Bout right… I would have thought Leblanc would make the list, but he might not have had enough IP.
October 10, 2007 at 10:21 am
Question for DSers … if Torre gets fired, should Padres consider hiring him?
I’m not a huge BB fan … but it doesn’t seem like his job is in jeopardy at all … nor am I suggesting it should be … but we changed managers last off-season when it wasn’t obvious that a change was needed (which I think is and was a good thing) … would it be an option at all to bring Torre on as a coach?
October 10, 2007 at 10:24 am
Sorry if this has been posted but BA put up thier minor league all-star team
http://www.baseballamerica.com.....64994.html
Antonelli was named as the starting 2B
Headly got robbed for starting 3B (was named to 2nd team)
October 10, 2007 at 10:27 am
I don’t think Torre’s managing strengths (media & star player control) would be that applicable here. I also think he will take a year off and work for ESPN, then go for a managerial job in 09.
October 10, 2007 at 10:36 am
GY … congrats on 64744 comments … the “Most Commented Posts” and “Total Comments” sections are nice additions to the right sidebar … DS evolution is happenin’ … glass-half-dude, indeed!
October 10, 2007 at 10:53 am
Hey Lynch, what don’t you like about Bud Black’s managing?
October 10, 2007 at 11:06 am
2: Why would we want Torre even if we needed a new manager?
October 10, 2007 at 11:10 am
I think we will see Torre in LA or Balt in 09 if he is not given a new deal by the Yankees.
October 10, 2007 at 11:21 am
Forget Torre, I want the Human Rain Delay, Tony LaRussa.
October 10, 2007 at 11:23 am
Re: 9 man I hate LaRussa, I really hope he goes to the Yanks so I can focus all of my baseball hatred to one city!
October 10, 2007 at 11:49 am
Man MLB Trade Rumor is reporting that A-Rod is seeking a 10 year $300MM deal, If he gets that can he ever really say he is more interested in winning than money?
October 10, 2007 at 1:35 pm
11: He can be interested in both, can’t he? He went to the Yankees because they’re always competitive, they just haven’t gotten through while he’s been there.
If somebody was offering any of us another 219 million, who turns it down? Is the Dalai Lama a Ducksnorts poster?
October 10, 2007 at 1:42 pm
The Yankees are the only team he can have his cake and eat it to with. If he goes to any other team that have a budget he will kill thier payroll. Also I would take less money if I alread had 200+ mil in the bank.
October 10, 2007 at 1:51 pm
13: He doesn’t have close to 200 million in the bank. We can lop 54 million off his current contract because he hasn’t been paid that, and he’s in the highest tax bracket. He has made a ton of money, yes, but nobody I know turns down a second lottery ticket.
A team that signs him is responsible for their actions. Teams have money. We could sign him. We won’t, but we could. A lot of teams could.
October 10, 2007 at 1:54 pm
Having talent is nice, having dedication makes the talent comes through.
The Padres had Tony Gwynn, the Red Sox has Manny. Good read on Manny’s exercises: http://tinyurl.com/yv4p7t.
The NL West is going to be tougher from now on (from Baseball Musings):
http://www.azcentral.com/sport.....1010.html#
October 10, 2007 at 1:56 pm
LM: I don’t think Torre is a good game tactician which is what Pepe Negro can use in the dugout. So, no, I don’t want him.
October 10, 2007 at 2:06 pm
RE: 14 true, what ever team signs him is responsible for thier actions but thier actions could be to put butts in seats. He went for the money when he signed with the rangers and whinned every year because they did not win.
October 10, 2007 at 2:07 pm
17: I don’t remember him whining any more than a lot of players, some of whom haven’t signed big deals.
Watching one of the best baseball players of all time helps put butts in the seats.
October 10, 2007 at 3:48 pm
Its a slow work day so im looking at the Padres 08 Payroll projections (as it stand right now), let me know if I made a wrong assumption somewhere:
Starting lineup:
C: Bard $3M (Sign to avoid arbitration - guess)
1B: A-Gon $.75M
2B: ?
3B: Kouz $0.4M
SS: Greene $5M (Sign to avoid arbitration - guess)
RF: Giles $9M
CF: ?
LF: ?
Bench:
Blum $1M
Hairston $0.4M
Lane/other OF $1M (Sign to avoid arbitration - guess)
P-Mac/Rodriguez/Stansberry/Sledge $0.4M
C ?
Rotation:
Peavy $6M
Young $2.5M
Maddux $8.7M (assuming Pads dont pick up his option)
SP ?
SP ?
Pen:
Hoffy $7.5M
Bell $0.4M
Cla $0.4M
Thatcher $0.4M
Hampson $0.4M
Cameron/other $0.4M
so that adds up to about $48.5M if we add another 1.5M in incentives/bonuses and assume a $70 mil payroll that leaves about $20M to spend on 2 SP, CF, LF, 2B and a backup C.
Thats alot of holes do you think $20 mil will fill them with playoff caliber players?
October 10, 2007 at 4:16 pm
15 … Didi … that Manny tinyurl isn’t working … can you post full URL? no need to tiny it here …
October 10, 2007 at 4:17 pm
20 … nevermind … here’s the full link …
http://www.bostonherald.com/sp.....ormat=text
(the problem with the link in #15 is just the extra “period” at the end)
October 10, 2007 at 4:34 pm
21 … oh, and by the way, that article about Manny is awesome … thanks, Didi! Manny reminds me of Tony … just more powerful and less ebullient … and wierder hair … and … well, there are lots of differences, aren’t there … but it turns out there’s some similarities … I like to root for guys that work like this article purports that Manny works!
October 10, 2007 at 8:40 pm
ESPN posted thier top 50 League championship moments:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn.....nts/071008
They even take a shot at the Pads for retiring #6
“21. Steve Garvey’s home run, Game 4, 1984 (Padres vs. Cubs): Garvey’s shot in the bottom of the ninth off Lee Smith forced a decisive Game 5. Thanks largely to that homer, the Padres eventually retired Garvey’s No. 6 jersey. The Dodgers haven’t done so.”
October 10, 2007 at 8:46 pm
23: I still can’t believe they retired Garvey’s number.
October 10, 2007 at 9:04 pm
Did anyone hear Alderson’s spot? I had to turn off the car radio right when Werndl asked about contact with Cameron’s agent?
October 10, 2007 at 10:12 pm
25: The usual Alderson: i.e. he didn’t say anything one way or the other, only said that they talked to his agent previously, earlier in the year.
October 10, 2007 at 10:21 pm
Ah, love the Sandyspeak.
October 10, 2007 at 10:41 pm
27: He manages to say a lot without giving anything away.
November 12, 2007 at 4:51 pm
When will this book be released?
November 12, 2007 at 5:11 pm
John, I’m shooting for the end of February.