Interview: Steve Poltz, Part 3
Thu, Nov 29, 2007
by Geoff Young
In the previous installment of our chat with singer/songwriter/Padre fan Steve Poltz (poltz.com), we talked about Celine Dion, great places to play music, and the effect James Taylor had on his love life in the ’70s.
This time, Steve muses on the connections between music and baseball, his work with Jewel, and what it was like to open for the Ramones…
***
Ducksnorts: My wife came up with this question. A lot of musicians are also baseball fans. What sorts of connections do you see between the two?
Steve Poltz: It’s really weird because when the Giants were in town, Barry Zito was on his off day and [Tim] Flannery came down to the dugout. I was there early and played him [Zito] some music. I’m looking at him, going, “Wow, that’s Barry Zito.” I always wanted to be a baseball player and I can’t do it, so I look at those guys with awe. For me, they’re gods. I don’t want to get too close to them — my girlfriend calls people like that “pedestal people” because we put them up on a pedestal. I kind of do that.
DS: It’s hard not to.
SP: And they always like music, which is weird. Wally Joyner used my song “Silver Lining” when he batted, and I couldn’t believe that he did that. All these baseball people for some reason love — I wish I could give you a better answer; that’s a lame answer.
DS: Back in the early-’90s, remember Jack McDowell? Eddie Vedder, that whole thing?
SP: I know him well; Black Jack, yeah.
DS: My theory is there’s so much art to both. Baseball is a sport, but there’s so much art in it; there are layers of complexity to it that don’t exist in other sports.
SP: I wish that was my answer [both laugh]. Okay, ask me that question again; I want a do-over… Baseball is musical. If you think about it, it’s a musical game… This is the worst answer ever; tell your wife this is a very hard question. Okay, you have the rhythm — the sound of the ball, the whack of the bat, the sound of the ball hitting the glove, how far you step, what you listen for, whether a runner hits the bag first or the ball hits the glove (what the ump hears), the sound of the crowd, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”
One of the worst things that’s ever happened to the game is singing, “God Bless America.” Give me a break.
DS: Thank you. We already sang the national anthem.
SP: I understand the whole 9/11 thing, but keep your politics out of my game. I don’t want it in there. [We have] the anthem before the game. And when you play a Canadian team, you get to hear the Canadian anthem; I love that.
DS: It’s a beautiful song.
SP: When we played in Montreal, it was in French. Tom Flannery can sing it in French — Tim’s brother… It is a musical game, the sound of [in vendor voice] “Cracker Jack, get your Cracker Jack.” Maybe I’m drawn to the music. That sounds cooler.
DS: Absolutely… You don’t want to know my wife’s other question.
SP: I do; what is it? I do want to know.
DS: She said, “Ask him what Jewel is really like.”
SP: [laughs] I love it. That’s a good question, and I like it. She’s somebody who grew up skinning her own cattle, taking a crap in an outhouse — with no electricity. [She didn't know] who the Beatles were, who the [Rolling] Stones were. She was a country bumpkin who was a real artist; she could make stained glass, paint, and draw. She was raised yodeling in Alaskan villages since she was six.
She came out to San Diego — and really did live in her van, and worked as a waitress at Java Joe’s — met me. We happened to write some hit songs, she moved in with me, became my girlfriend for a few years, and then she got a tremendous amount of accolades and stardom by the age of 20. She was on the cover of Time magazine, Rolling Stone a couple of times — all these different magazines; [she] sort of got swept up in all the hype. Everything in music is timing. She was talented, and it was time for women [singers].
It was a backlash to grunge and everything else going on. People were sick of — I call them “goat singers.” Then you couldn’t turn on the radio without hearing women. Then she became very aloof and almost became kind of snobby; I saw it because I was on the road with her.
Now she’s got a great boyfriend, who I love, who’s a friend of mine, and she’s out there grinding, working, trying to make a living playing casinos or wherever. She’s got a crazy work ethic.
She’s really sick and twisted. That’s what she’s really like. She has the sickest, darkest sense of humor… You can say anything — the sickest stuff — and she’ll laugh. That’s what Jewel’s like.
DS: Very cool.
SP: I used to sit down with her and say, “This is the Beatles” — swear to God — “This is the Stones”; she couldn’t tell them apart. “This is the Replacements; they have a record called Let It Be. So do the Beatles.” Then I’d be playing the Beatles, and she’d go, “Is that the Replacements?” It was awesome. She really didn’t know and really didn’t give a s***.
Then we moved and did that first record at Neil Young’s ranch… That first record really captured her, where she was at; then they just wore that whole [scene] out…
[Rambling discussion about the San Diego music scene from the early-'90s; people we knew, places we'd played, etc.]
SP: I was on the road once, and one of the weirdest things that happened to me was, I was on this morning radio show and the morning radio guys are, like, “Hey, we’re the wacky morning radio guys.” They would stay stuff like, “Why doesn’t Jewel fix her teeth?” I’m really patient with people — for some reason I was given that gene… They were, like, “Steve Poltz — Steve Poltz is playing here.” And the way they were saying my name, people thought they were saying “Steel Pulse,” so all these reggae fans showed up. Then I come walking out and they’re, like, so bummed when they see me walk out — who the f*** is this skinny white guy? So I was, like, trying to do my songs with a reggae beat.
DS: That’s hilarious.
SP: One time when we were the Rugburns, we had to open for the Ramones in Cleveland at this [large venue], which is a shed — sheds are what Coors Amphitheater is — they call them sheds… If you do a shed tour, it means you’re big — Pearl Jam big, something I’ll never be, which I’m glad. I mean, don’t get me wrong, it’d be cool to be Dave Matthews or something, but I’m really happy with what [I do].
We were opening for the Ramones, and our promoter comes backstage — we were getting a lot of radio play in Cleveland for “Hitchhiker Joe” and “Me and Eddie Vedder” — and our promoter is, like, “Hey, man; I just want to say to you guys, don’t be bummed if people start throwing s*** at you — like shoes, lemons — because Ramones fans don’t like anybody but the Ramones. So, just take it as a compliment if somebody throws a shoe at you or something; they don’t mean any harm.”
Then the Ramones’ manager came in to tell us that this had been happening every night. Ramones fans only want to see the Ramones — and rightly so, the Ramones f***ing rule — so when we come out on stage, I knew [what to expect].
The first thing that came was a shoe. I remember looking around, just like — you have to be really agile — maybe that’s what baseball players and musicians have in common — we both have the ability to dodge flying objects. So I dodged this shoe, and then somebody threw a lemon and it hit my guitar — my Taylor acoustic — and put a crack in it; I treat my guitars really rough, so… I picked up the lemon, put it in my pants, and rubbed it around; then I took the lemon and squeezed it on my mouth, and the audience went, “Yeah!” From then on, I swear, the crowd was with us. Talk about the highlight of my life — it was opening for the Ramones.
When I got off [stage], they let us stay on the side of the stage because they liked us. I watched Joey Ramone vomit in a trash can that they had on the side of the stage. Everything is so fast with them — they never say one word between songs — it’s just 1-2-3-4 and the songs go into each other. I watched them come running off after one song…
[The club is filling up and getting very loud; they've just received a favorable review in the San Diego Reader, which is great for Steve's business but not so great for trying to decipher the rest of his answer.]
***
In Part 4, Steve talks about singing the national anthem at Qualcomm before a playoff game, getting signs from third-base coach Flannery, and being banned from the Padres hotel…
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.
November 29, 2007 at 7:36 am
Looks like Cameron will not accept arbitration, but then again it could just be his agent trying to get a 2 year deal from the Pads.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/.....notes.html
November 29, 2007 at 7:49 am
MiLB ranks both Headley and Antonelli in the top 30:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.....p50/y2008/
November 29, 2007 at 8:42 am
Mets might trade Reyes for Santana.
http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....m_met.html
November 29, 2007 at 8:56 am
Not to spark a political debate, but i completely agree with Poltz about God Bless America. It feels completely forced and contrived in the 7th inning, especially if the game is close.
November 29, 2007 at 9:03 am
4: I got feelings on that but I like lurking and posting here.
November 29, 2007 at 9:12 am
Re: 4 as an Atheist it is rather annoying
November 29, 2007 at 9:29 am
Being one of the old guys of this crowd, I was unfamiliar with Steve Poltz before these posts. GY, tell Steve that you are entitled to a cut of the recent residuals he picks up from ITunes.
November 29, 2007 at 9:30 am
“I watched Joey Ramone vomit in a trash can that they had on the side of the stage”. Man, I miss those guys. 30+ songs in about 75 minutes. No one does/did it better.
November 29, 2007 at 9:44 am
RE #2: Best name in the list — “Radhames Liz”
November 29, 2007 at 10:26 am
Great Keith Law answer:
Michael (Pittsburgh): Keith, can you comment on the rumored X. Nady/N. McClouth for Chase Headley trade? How good of a prospect is Headley, and do you see this trade making sense for my Buccos?
Keith Law: (1:19 PM ET ) I think someone would have to lace the drinking water in the Padres’ front office with Aqua Dots for them to do something that stupid.
November 29, 2007 at 10:36 am
Re: 10 ha I figured he would have said Headley is the next David Bell make the deal now!
November 29, 2007 at 10:44 am
10, 11: That’s a great answer from Mr. Law.
November 29, 2007 at 11:05 am
I have to agree with everyone about singing God Bless America. I’m pretty conservative and spent many years in the Marines and I don’t even like it. The great thing about baseball is that it’s an escape from the “real world” and you shouldn’t interject anything that could get people upset with each other.
Plus, if you are watching a Sunday afternoon baseball game at Petco in perfect weather, aren’t you aware that you are incredibly blessed and in about the most perfect place in the world? We don’t need a song to tell us that, do we?
November 29, 2007 at 11:12 am
I see that Rick Porcello is #14 on the minorleaguebaseball.com list. Good thing the Padres didn’t sign him, why get good players when you can spend $1.26m on a pitcher who had 7 innnings last season. That’s way more then Porcello pitched. I’m sure there have been teams that have been successful long-term continually throwing away their draft picks, haven’t there?
November 29, 2007 at 11:12 am
Man I love Yankee fans sometimes
Vinny (Bronx): Clippard, Farnsworth, Igawa, and cash for Haren?
Keith Law: (2:07 PM ET ) We just keep getting sillier, don’t we?
November 29, 2007 at 11:16 am
OK, since it’s been mentioned: I basically feel like “God Bless America” went from being a post-9/11 group hug hymn to a pro-Iraq War anthem. Call me a Carlos Delgado, but that’s how me feels.
November 29, 2007 at 11:19 am
14: Picking Schmidt didn’t bother me, although I’d like to see the Padres more aggressive there, and of course it would be nice if one of the multiple SD evaluators who saw him could have picked up what Carlos Gomez saw on video. What bothered me was the multiple college overachiever picks later in the draft while more talented HS players went by, and only signing a couple of the HS kids we did draft.
November 29, 2007 at 11:25 am
I also don’t like the God Bless America thing, especially the Yankee Stadium version. It just seems so schmaltzy and phony and everyone feels obligated to participate, regardless of political orientation. It’s like Steve Garvey’s number, it’s something that got started and no one wants to end it for fear of seeming like a bad guy.
On the other hand, the Sunday afternoon Marine Corp ritual at Petco is always one of my favorite moments at any stadium.
November 29, 2007 at 11:40 am
Keith Law ugh I cant believe he said something good about a Padre prospect I guess its the holiday season. Some one let Jack in Boston know
November 29, 2007 at 11:41 am
Re: 19 he didn’t say anything about Antonelli
November 29, 2007 at 11:42 am
20: Is that good or bad
November 29, 2007 at 11:47 am
Well Jack from Boston is Antonelli’s dad, so his main beef with Law is the fact that he pretty much called Matt the next Geoff Blum.
November 29, 2007 at 11:51 am
I guess Keith Law is an authority on prospects.
November 29, 2007 at 11:56 am
Keith Law is an authority just ask him
November 29, 2007 at 12:06 pm
18: I certainly don’t have a problem with the Marine Corps Hymn either. I think it will be a little gimmicky for the Padres to go ahead with their proposal of the camo jerseys for every Sunday home game, but there’s no denying that the military is a huge part of San Diego.
But yeah, I think everyone has pretty much nailed the underlying problems with the whole “God Bless America” thing. It doesn’t even bother me because I’m an atheist. It bothers me because it borders on jingoism.
November 29, 2007 at 12:39 pm
KLaw should make a bet with Jack that if Matt makes an AS team (or +.825 OPS), he’ll be Jack’s personal chef for six months. (Law talks a lot about gourmet cooking, for those who don’t follow his chats.)
November 29, 2007 at 12:53 pm
18 … that’s a bit of an overstatement, Anthony … *I* want to end Steve Garvey’s number, and I’m not afriad of seeming like a bad guy
November 29, 2007 at 12:54 pm
Can he cook Italian?
November 29, 2007 at 1:00 pm
I’m 3/4 Italian, Jack.
November 29, 2007 at 1:02 pm
Fantastic remember Italians stick together, How is that ANTONELLI kid huh huh
November 29, 2007 at 1:07 pm
Keith
My family owned an Italian Catering business for 25 years we will have to have a cook off.
November 29, 2007 at 1:34 pm
If we have to sing “God Bless America,” then the terrorists have won.
Sports are not special, so they should get over themselves. The national anthem is not sung before any other types of entertainment like the movies or concerts or art showings.
November 29, 2007 at 1:48 pm
32: Best. Line. Ever.
I catch a lot of flack from people (well, those that aren’t as liberal as I, such as my father) for not being more patriotic. My dad was in the Navy for 24 years and I totally respect people in the military. However, the backlash in this country after 9-11 was sickening. I remember running all over town, because we HAD to have like 8 American flags on our house.
I love this country just fine, but I don’t need red, white, and blue on everything I own to validate that sentiment. “God Bless America” amounts to about the same for me. I’m totally cool with the National Anthem before baseball games, because it feels kinda special. Especially during playoff games, it has that “big-time” feel.
And, not to ruin your point (32), but the WWE sings the National Anthem before every show, televised or not. Of course, that’s sports entertainment, so I guess your point still stands.
Mr. Law: What is your opinion of the Padres farm system? Do you think it’s improved lately? What do you think are the most valuable pieces in our farm system?
November 29, 2007 at 1:53 pm
Was that really Klaw or someone messing around (I know he has posted here before).
November 29, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Re: 31 I’d be happy to be a judge, I’ve eaten plenty of Italian food in my day!
November 29, 2007 at 2:17 pm
34: I am assuming that was KLaw. He has checked in before, on a day of his chat, if I remember right. I’m wondering if he doesn’t drop in on several sites, just to see what people are saying about his comments.
Regarding the God Bless America thing, I’m with everyone else that it is time to get it out of the ballpark on Sundays. Plus, I wish people would quit taking their hats off to God Bless America. It’s only required for the anthem, not an Ethyl Merman refrain.
November 29, 2007 at 2:57 pm
34.
Well he did have a couple of pleasant things to say about Headley today. I kept trying to get him to answer some Brian Barton questions but no dice. i would love to know if he thinks Barton is worth a rule 5 pick. Although it does seem like Law is not a fan of the Padres or the decision makers in the FO but outside of the Antonelli comments I have read from him he is pretty realistic with his analysis and projections of our players.
He did say something along the lines of he expects Kouz to be the left fielder and Headley to play 3rd. I heard KT this morning saying the opposite but I bet if Kouz doesn’t get better in the off season that may become the reality.
Did anyone else hear KT this morning on 1090 say that the Padres set up a meeting with Milton Bradley last week and Milton blew the FO the team doctors and the training staff off. KT said he just never showed up. I think it’s a pretty safe assumption to assume we will not be seeing Jenga back next year (not that I thought it would happen anyways).
November 29, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Sorry I meant 36.
November 29, 2007 at 4:12 pm
33:
You mentioned flags.
Flying flags from your house or car really is the *least* you can do.
November 29, 2007 at 4:15 pm
La Russa DUI arrest video:
http://www.myfoxstl.com/myfox/.....cale=EN-US
November 29, 2007 at 5:28 pm
39: Be it the least you can do or not, why should it be necessary?
November 29, 2007 at 5:35 pm
The whole keep your politics out of my game is silly, if politics is broadly defined to include “God Bless America”. Is the national anthem political? No American should have any problem with the national anthem being sung before sporting events, and Carlos Delgado is a tool - show some freaking respect.
If politics means playing political party songs, then heck yeah, keep games nonpartisan and nonpolitical, although it would be real cool if even just once the “Internationale” or the “Gimn Sovetskogo Soyuza” was played during a baseball game.
My objection, jingoist that I am, to “God Bless America” is that it is too weak sauce. Count me in for classics like “My Country Tis of Thee (America)” (love the God Save the Queen melody, like the *** Pistols too, but I digress) and even better “Battle Hymn of the Republic”. Of course, there really isn’t a need for GBA at the 7th inning stretch any way; the national anthem serves that purpose.
Interesting question, though, is “God Bless America” played in the 7th inning stretch of any Blue Jay home games? It would be funny, but that does seem inappropriate.
November 29, 2007 at 5:42 pm
Hey, Jack from Boston, a friend of mine asked if I remembered a Giants pitcher named Johnny Antonelli, and was wondering if Matt was related to him. I didn’t remember him, just a bit before my time, but looked him up:
http://www.baseball-reference......jo02.shtml
Pretty damn fine pitcher. Any relation?
November 29, 2007 at 5:58 pm
39: I agree. I was making fun of the people who do it and think they are doing a lot.
42: I’m not saying it’s political or that a have a problem with it. But why is it appropriate at sporting events and nowhere else? Probably just a traditional that caught on. I’m certainly not going to crusade to stop it. But there is nothing about a baseball game that makes me especially proud to be an American or makes me want to sing.
November 29, 2007 at 6:03 pm
42: Yep, a government or political/military party would never co-opt an otherwise innocent hymn or song for propagandistic purposes.
Must … talk … baseball … not some hymn that’s been … sullied …. errr.
November 29, 2007 at 6:08 pm
SLEDGE SIGNED A 2 YEAR DEAL WITH JAPANS NIPPON HAM FIGHTERS FOR 2.85 MIL YES
best moves weve had this offseason have been NOT signing blum and brocail, and allowing slegde to go to japan! woo hoo
check rotoworld.com or
http://www.signonsandiego.com/.....japan.html
November 29, 2007 at 6:32 pm
I for one (apparently) like GBA during the 7IS. I like any kind of patriotism displayed by any American any time (just not arrogantly or obnoxiously while abroad). Whether it is flags on their cars, homes, whatever. I also like the tribute to the Marines, but would not like to see the camo’s during every Sunday home game.
November 29, 2007 at 6:50 pm
#44: It’s not just at sporting events (see the part on Sinead O’Connor):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P.....rformances
On a more general note, my main issue with the Star-Spangled Banner is that most people, performers included, don’t sing it well. (I find many “interpretations” I’ve heard before a game pretty offensive.)
My main issues with GBA are that we already sang the SSB and that singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame is more fun than running through a second patriotic number. If we’re going to sing two songs, make one of them patriotic and one frivolous.
I love when the Padres do their salute to the Marine recruits. My favorite part is watching the opposing players and even umpires get into it. Who knows what those kids will be asked to do in the name of protecting our country; I’ll cheer them as loud as I can every single time.
November 29, 2007 at 7:13 pm
44: Apologies for misinterpreting your snark. Teh intertubes make it difficult to pick up sarcasm sometimes.
That’s so awesome that Sledge is gone. Maybe P-Mac gets a full-time shot as a bench option?
Also, I had an idea for a discussion that I was going to pose tomorrow, but I think I’ll go with it now.
Who are the top 5 untouchables on the Padres roster, from most untouchable on? They can be untouchable for a variety of reasons (totally awesome, no replacement, etc.) My list of untouchable Padres this off-season, starting with the most untouchable.
1) Jake - I don’t see them trading him this off-season, especially after he won the CY and after all of the public comments that have been made.
2) Bell - Way too valuable as a member of the ‘pen. Future closer.
3) CY - We don’t exactly have a plethora of starting pitching, and CY (when healthy) is as dominant as Jake.
4) Adrian - Future stud, and cornerstone of the offense. Blanks is the next closest replacement, and he’s at least a year away.
5) Khalil - Regardless of how you perceive his value, there is NO replacement for him in the organization. KT indicated that the team would like to keep him a Padre for a long time, and any deal involving him would have to get a credible defensive SS in return.
What do you guys think?
November 29, 2007 at 8:05 pm
Yes, he is I and I am him. I stopped by earlier to see how the two Padre-related wisecracks went over. It’s only funny if someone laughs, so I try to check various blogs (where I know they discuss my chats) to see how my jokes go over.
In response to Phantom’s post, I would (almost) never tab a reliever as untouchable - their performance is volatile, but also, don’t we know that this organization can either find or create relievers, probably as well as they can do anything? They can replace Bell, just as they replaced Linebrink (who probably would have made your untouchable list this time two years ago). If you can continue to take advantage of the perception/reality gap around Petco, by all means, do it. You’ll find another Bell.
Also, Phantom, I’ll write more about prospects and farm systems in January, but the Padres are pretty clearly not the worst any more, or even in the bottom three.
KRS1, I never saw a Barton question, and if I had I would have answered it. I think he’s a bench guy at best - college hitter with some contact issues against better stuff, doesn’t get on base much or hit for power to overcome it. If you think he can play CF every day, I might come around, but I don’t think he can. It’s a pretty thin crop, but Samuel Deduno would be an interesting grab - very good stuff, some control issues, but Petco would be a good environment in which to try to develop him.
November 29, 2007 at 8:16 pm
50: Thanks for responding. However, I don’t think that Bell’s success can solely be attributed to Petco. I’m not able to pull up the stats right now, but I’m almost positive they would bear this out.
In terms of a reliever being untouchable, I’d say that Bell has the stuff to grant him that status. Without Bell, there’s no way the Padres would have even played game 163. Bell allowed the Padres to trade Linebrink for a collection of potentially valuable arms.
As for the farm system, I definitely think the Padres have got to be rated at least middle of MLB now. I obviously don’t follow other farms as closely as ours, but it seems that we have players coming up that could make an impact either as starters or through trades.
November 29, 2007 at 8:31 pm
51: According to Baseball Reference, here’s a brief breakdown of Bell’s home/road splits:
Home: 2.64 ERA/.88 WHIP/8.8 K/9/ 3.58 K:BB
Away: 1.46 ERA/ 1.04 WHIP/ 10.8 K/9/ 3.28 K:BB
I would certainly argue that Bell was just as effective on the road, if not more so. The only HR he gave up all year were at Petco, and his ERA is higher in the one environment where it should be lowest.
I’m not sure if this argument alone disqualifies your opinion that relievers should never be untouchable, but I think it’s safe to say that Bell is an extremely valuable reliever.
November 29, 2007 at 9:20 pm
Bell is great inside of petco and outside of it, however I don’t think that was his point. I think what he was saying is that Bell is replicable (especially with KT as our GM), and if someone will overpay for him (see Linbrink, Scott) then you have to take the deal.
November 29, 2007 at 10:11 pm
Keith, it’s cool that you stop by blogs like this .. very different from most writers I’ve come across. Heck, it’s surprising if many guys even respond to stuff on their own sites, let alone visiting other blogs. I always enjoy your writing, whether I agree with you or not. And I just got insider again, so I’ll be able to check out some more of it : )
Regarding Bell, I’m not sure if he’s as replaceable as the next guy (the Linebrink/Brocail type). I mean, with the Mets he was putting up good peripherals all the way up and even in the bigs. To me, it just seemed like he needed more innings to let the high average on balls in play settle down. As much as people say that aquisition was good scouting by the Padres, it seems it was a stat oriented move, as well. Anyway, I think MGL has him projected as like the second best reliever in the NL or something. Guys like Bell don’t exactly grow on trees. But sure, I’ll agree that he isn’t untouchable … nobody is if the right deal comes along, especially a reliever.
November 29, 2007 at 10:36 pm
49: The idea of having “untouchables” is kind of funny, because no one should be untouchable if the trade makes the team better. I agree with the previous comments about Bell that he’s great, definitely not a product of Petco, likely to continue to be awesome, but finding relievers is the strength of this organization. If we can get a good outfielder or starting pitcher for him, by all means, pull the trigger. If Corey Hart is available from the Brewers for Bell, I’d do that trade.
A quick aside on how awesome Bell is: he was basically the perfect pitcher last year. He struck out more than 1 batter per IP, walked less than 1 batter every 3 IP, and 58% of his balls in play were grounders. (For comparison, Brandon Webb’s ground ball rate was 62%).
November 29, 2007 at 10:47 pm
55: I just think the concept of untouchables is an interesting idea. Obviously there’s no such thing as a true untouchable. That said, there are definitely guys you can afford to deal, and guys that you must be severely inclined to deal.
I guess what I was getting at was more an issue of who could this team least afford to lose? Which five guys would leave gaping holes in this team?
November 29, 2007 at 11:47 pm
55: He also threw 93.7 innings — most in mlb for a reliever. On one hand, that’s great as it adds more value. On the other, it may make him a bit more injury prone at the same time, although he very well may be a guy who can handle that kind of work load (he sure is big enough).
November 30, 2007 at 1:00 am
48: I don’t think that makes it common.
November 30, 2007 at 5:13 am
43: Hi DPRAT
Matts not related to Johnny. People ask us all the time.
November 30, 2007 at 6:08 am
Re: 55…yup…no such thing as untouchable…but, those that would be the hardest to give up? Sorry Phantom, Bell does not make the list…there is just WAY too much variability from year to year on relievers.
AGon has to be at the top…followed by CY…either Kouz or Headley, and I would lean towards Kouz, thus making Headley bait…Bard would be very tough to let go…and…well…uh…hmmmm…that is only 4 and I can’t think of anyone else that I would say you would have to really overpay to get.
I love me some Peavy, but I really think the Pads could make themselves better for a long time if we considered trading him. Tell me you don’t think we can get 2 legit, “can’t miss” type of guys for him? Oh yea, we would control them for 5 or 6 years…Please, keep the fruit throwing to a minimum, but I think the Pads would be crazy not to at least seriously discuss it. I mean, if the Yanks offered Melky and Hughes, don’t you think that is a legit package you have to consider?
Phantom, are you shocked that KG did not make my list? In all honesty, he would probably be #5 because of the MAJOR replacement issues that exist today…
November 30, 2007 at 7:20 am
You have to think that the Pads would be in talks with the A’s these days…with the all of us focusing on the CF position, it would not shock me to see a deal for a pitcher…
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/.....7TLCN9.DTL
Heck, we might even get the stopgap Kotsay back…
November 30, 2007 at 7:33 am
Re: 46 with sledge gone who will play LF and leadoff? oh wait….
November 30, 2007 at 7:36 am
It sounds like the Pirates are really fighting hard for Headley, if they offered Bay for Headley straight up do you guys think it would be worth it?
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7506740
Also it looks like the Redsox are offering Crisp for Headley, would you make that move or do you think the sox will have to throw in another player?
November 30, 2007 at 7:59 am
50.
Thanks Keith! It’s really cool of you to come over and and answer/respond to questions with us. I appreciate it.
November 30, 2007 at 8:01 am
Running a little late, will have something posted by 8:15.
November 30, 2007 at 8:05 am
Steve…there is no way that Headley goes to the Sox for Crisp straight up…Pretty sure that there would be money and other players involved.
November 30, 2007 at 8:12 am
62.
HAHAHAHA
November 30, 2007 at 8:12 am
Re: 66 I hope your right, I really hope crisp is not in a Padre uni next year.
November 30, 2007 at 8:14 am
Sounds like Loretta may end up with the Yankees
http://www.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_7595096
November 30, 2007 at 8:19 am
#29, 50: Echoing other sentiments, thanks, Keith, for stopping by and saying hey. Good to see that food always brings folks together.
November 30, 2007 at 8:21 am
Steve…please don’t read me wrong, I would not be upset with bringing in Crisp…I am just saying it would be a cold day in Tuscon before the Pads trade Headley straight up for him.
November 30, 2007 at 8:24 am
Re: 72 I know what you meant, I just really dont want to see crisp in a Padre uni at all. I would much rather see the Pads go young in CF or bring Cameron back for a year.
November 30, 2007 at 8:25 am
60: I actually agree with your list for the most part. After sleeping on it, I could see Bard over Bell, and after I wrote my five, I considered that Bard should have been in there.
I’m not sure that Adrian is the tops, given that Blanks is ready within a year. But he’s still definitely on the list.
As for Jake, when the infamous article came out about the Zambrano deal, I suggested the same thing. The Padres should make him a reasonable, public offer, and if he refuses, get the moon in return.
November 30, 2007 at 8:38 am
#49: My two cents, with the usual caveats:
1. Jake
2. CY
3. Khalil
4. Adrian
5. Kouz/Headley
Quality starting pitchers and shortstops are so hard to find. Also, given our recent history and the market, we really need to hang onto one of those third basemen.
#73: I like Blanks a lot, but I don’t think he is that close to being ready.
November 30, 2007 at 8:40 am
74: I gotta admit that the year away figure was an estimate. It seems like he’s done all he can in LE, and if he raked for a full season in San Antonio, he could maybe be ready in 2009. Of course, that would be if the Padres were trying to rush his development, which they obviously don’t have to do.
November 30, 2007 at 8:41 am
Blanks is prob 2 years away (full year in AA and full year in AAA) he is only 20 (or might be 21 now) so he has plenty of time to develop.
If he continues to develop at the same rate, the pads will have the option to move Adrian before the last year of his current contract if they are unable to extend him (same situation they have with Jake).
November 30, 2007 at 9:07 am
73, 74, 76: Blanks is at least 2 years away, but I don’t think Adrian is that irreplaceable. Very good player, signed for a nice deal, but still, it’s first base. I’d move him fast if the trade was right. Slide Kouzmanoff to first, put Headley at 3rd. The Padres marketing department might have something to say about it.
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