Friday Links (7 Dec 07)
Fri, Dec 7, 2007
by Geoff Young
Lots o’ links today…
- Padres set to bring back Bradley (Padres.com). The deal reportedly would be 1 year, $3.5-4 million. Or, as I like to call it, a bargain. This is still in the works (as are some other possibilities), so keep your fingers crossed.
- Padres have quiet time at Meetings (Padres.com). Even assuming Milton Bradley signs, the outfield situation remains unsettled — third base prospect Chase Headley is preparing to take fly balls at Petco in January just in case. Brett Tomko is attracting some attention as a starter, a role he prefers, which makes it less likely that he’ll re-sign with the Padres to work out of the bullpen.
- Towers shopping for stopgap at second base (San Diego Union-Tribune). Information is very fluid right now. This article by Tom Krasovic ran on Tuesday and may be somewhat outdated; still, it provides insight into the Padres’ thought process.
- Speaking of Krasovic, he’s been busy blogging the Winter Meetings. Run through the recent archives for some pretty good insights into what did and didn’t happen in Nashville this week.
- Padres active in Rule 5 Draft (Padres.com). Kevin Towers, on right-hander Carlos Guevara, acquired from the Reds (via the Marlins):
He’s got a great screwball, a great strikeout-to-walk ratio and is a guy who has nailed it at about every level… We were trying to get the No. 1 pick to get him.
Stats on the other two guys taken in the draft: right-hander Mike Gardner (from the Yankees) and second baseman Callix Crabbe (from Milwaukee).
- The best major leaguers $50,000 can buy (Hardball Times). Chris Constancio offers his thoughts on the Rule V. He likes Guevara and Crabbe.
- Top 10 Prospects: San Diego Padres (Baseball America, via Steve C in the comments). I doubt you’ll find many folks who disagree with the names in those top three slots. After that, I’ve been seeing some divergence in the various lists out there. At least two, possibly three, of the guys in BA’s Top 10 will not be in mine (which will run this coming Tuesday or Wednesday).
- Top 30 San Diego Padres prospects (Friar Forecast). MB has completed his list. To me the analysis he offers is more interesting and useful than the actual ordering. Good stuff.
- Looking back on baseball standout Kulbacki (James Madison University Breeze, via Peter Friberg). Speaking of prospects, here’s a nice little piece on 2007 draftee, outfielder Kellen Kulbacki.
- Emotional Williams voted to Hall (San Diego Union-Tribune). Former Padres manager Dick Williams, who led the club to its first ever World Series appearance in 1984, has been voted into the Hall of Fame. Good for him.
- Hot stove philosophies align regardless of payroll (Yahoo! via LynchMob in the comments). Quoth Oakland A’s GM Billy Beane:
People are actually understanding the economics of the game. There are a lot of smart guys running clubs. Properly valuing the assets you have is really part of the business now.
Valuing assets, eh? Crazy concept. Wait, baseball has been around how long?
- Why do teams keep overpaying generic middle relievers? (Hardball Times). Speaking of market inefficiencies, here’s my latest effort over at THT. Be sure also to read Dave Studeman’s companion piece that examines the wisdom of long-term contracts.
- As long as you’re over at THT, check out Chris Jaffe’s interview with John Thorn, co-author of The Hidden Game of Baseball
and Total Baseball
(aff links). This is pretty much a must-read.
- The New Look Dodgers…An Interview with Ned Colletti (Baseball Digest Daily). Bad news: The Dodgers GM appears to recognize the value of his young players. How irritating.
- Finally, there’s a new Padres blog on the block (woo-hoo!). Be sure to swing by Sdpads1’s Weblog and say hey when you have a sec.
And if all that isn’t enough for you, we have a never-ending stream of links at del.icio.us.
Winter Leagues
Wednesday, December 5
- Azucareros 5, Escogido 3 (box). Crabbe (who technically wasn’t a member of the Padres when this game was played) went 0-for-4 with a walk while leading off and playing left field for Azucareros. Vince Sinisi, batting third and playing left for Escogido, singled and was hit by a pitch in four trips to the plate.
- Estrellas 5, Aguilas 3 (box). Luke Carlin, batting sixth and catching, walked twice and singled in four plate appearances.
- Mochis 6, Hermosillo 5 (box). Marshall McDougall got the start at second base; batting second, he singled twice and drove in three runs in five at-bats.
- Navojoa 3, Mazatlan 0 (box). Oscar Robles got the start at DH and moved down a slot to the #3 hole, where he singled in four at-bats. Luis Cruz, in his customary #7 hole, took Robles’ place in the field, and went 0-for-4 with a stolen base; he also fielded the only two chances he got at short. On the other side, Brian Myrow doubled and walked in four trips to the plate.
Thursday, December 6
Box scores from the Dominican Republic and Venezuela were unavailable as of this writing.
- Hermosillo 7, Mochis 3 (box). McDougall, again at second, went 2-for-5.
- Mazatlan 7, Navojoa 1 (box). Cruz, again at shortstop and moving up to #2 in the order, singled and walked in four trips to the plate. Robles DH’d and batted behind him, going 0-for-3 with a walk. Myrow went 0-for-4 with a walk for Mazatlan. He also committed a throwing error in the sixth on grounder off the bat of Robles; Cruz ended up at third on the play — Padres everywhere. The next inning, ex-Padre Miguel Ojeda (who went 3-for-4 with a double) picked Cruz off at first (Myrow applying the tag) with Robles at bat. Most interestingly, Myrow shifted from first to third base for the final inning. I don’t know what the story is there, or if he legitimately can play the position, but that could come in handy down the line. On further review, it appears that Myrow played 15 games at the hot corner in 2006 while in the Red Sox organization. He logged 86 games at third in ‘03, and 24 games at second base. Didn’t Matt Stairs play second in the minors? Sorry to keep beating the drum so hard, but I think Myrow has value despite his age.
There it is. Happy Friday, yo!
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.
December 7, 2007 at 7:53 am
fluff-piece on Kulbacki: http://www.thebreeze.org/2007/12-6/sports3.html
December 7, 2007 at 8:02 am
Here is our experienced 2B with some pop and a good glove…could keep the position warm for the whole year if needed…
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=3144489
December 7, 2007 at 8:11 am
I cant go on to ESPN at work anymore, who is it?
December 7, 2007 at 8:14 am
#1: So good it deserves to be mentioned twice, eh?
#3: Jose Castillo, formerly with Pittsburgh.
December 7, 2007 at 8:17 am
did they sign him or was it just about him being non-tendered
December 7, 2007 at 8:20 am
#5: Castillo was released to make room for Rule V pick (and ex-Padre) Evan Meek. CM was making a suggestion.
December 7, 2007 at 8:21 am
ah thanks G.Y.
Damn you IT department!
December 7, 2007 at 8:36 am
Just what we need in SD a guy who cant even make it in Pittsburg SIGN HIM UP
December 7, 2007 at 8:49 am
How about a Kevin Towers effect in explaining overpaying for relievers?
Of course, KT finds quality arms at bargain basement prices. But other GMs see this and say, “Hey, I just as smart as Towers and I have more money!” Therefore they go out and build their custom bullpens along with inflated contracts.
December 7, 2007 at 8:53 am
Man I hope Fukudome is not taking a tour of SD today to see if he wants to sign here, although he was here for the WBC.
December 7, 2007 at 9:19 am
Sorry Steve…I forget that not everyone works from home and can go to any sports site…
I was sorta tongue-in-cheek for Castillo, but he does have good defense and might come cheap. Plus, he has played in the Majors…nah, really more of a joking suggestion.
December 7, 2007 at 9:22 am
Re: 11 Its ok I could go on ESPN at work up until 3 days ago.
December 7, 2007 at 9:34 am
We have the all MASH unit outfield right now and this fact worries me.
Bradley (habitually injured)
Giles (micro-fracture surgery)
Cameron (25 game suspension) assuming he accepts arbitration
How many games do we really think we will get out of those guys…
We better have a 4th outfielder who can start, and maybe a 5th just in case.
December 7, 2007 at 9:40 am
Does anyone have any concern that If we get Fukudome, it will be shortened to KFuc? Maybe I should copyright that . . .
December 7, 2007 at 9:43 am
1 … here’s a pic of Kulbacki from his first day in a pro uni …
http://picasaweb.google.com/Ly.....4163168994
December 7, 2007 at 9:43 am
That would make an intereting shirt…
I still think we need to make a show like American Gladiators, but make them Japanese and call it Fukudome…
December 7, 2007 at 9:46 am
14 … that is the risk …
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosuke_Fukudome
December 7, 2007 at 9:47 am
14, 16: I was thinking that would make a great t shirt too, like those FCUK shirts. Let’s wait until he’s actually signed…
December 7, 2007 at 9:48 am
14.
I’m seeing it being more like Fukey (Foo-Key). But I do like your Dice K approach.
December 7, 2007 at 9:50 am
Random thought of the day…what would it take to get Cameron Maybin from the Marlins? They need a 3b and Headley would fit in with what they are doing…what else would we need to give?
It would have to be a young arm or two, depending on how good….thoughts?
December 7, 2007 at 9:57 am
For those of you who haven’t already ventured over to the my del.icio.us list … this one is VERY much worth checking out …
Remember This Name
http://www.baconsrebellion.com.....12/Day.htm
… ah, this helps me look forward to spring … and beyond!
December 7, 2007 at 10:33 am
Re: 20 KT asked the Tigers about Maybin and was told the Pads dont have the players to get him, Im not sure if that changes with the Marlins or not though.
December 7, 2007 at 10:34 am
20.
Probably nothing. The Marlins have had a revolving CF’r for a couple of seasons now and they just got possibly the best prospect in all of baseball to play it for them. I don’t think there is a combination we could put together that would get him from them. The conversation would probably start at Headley, Antonelli and Latos and I’m still not sure they would entertain it and I’m pretty positive the Padres wouldn’t do that. I would love the guy but the Marlins just want top prospects.
December 7, 2007 at 10:37 am
Looks like the Cubs may non-tender Prior.
http://www.suntimes.com/sports.....07.article
December 7, 2007 at 11:07 am
RE: 24 I wonder if Prior is refusing any 09 option because he knows it will make him less valuable to other teams and it will force the Cubs to non-tender him and then he can come to SD. Since him and KT are neighbors maybe they stayed up late one night hatching these crazy scheme together.
December 7, 2007 at 12:18 pm
Two words to toss out: So Taguchi. Probably a great backup OF option that we can get on the cheap since he was just released by St. Louis. Thoughts?
December 7, 2007 at 12:22 pm
I wondered the same thing Marsh, but after thinking about it, I just don’t see how he fits…
December 7, 2007 at 12:48 pm
Re: 26 the Pads have plenty of 4th & 5th OF’s they need a starting CF/LF
December 7, 2007 at 2:05 pm
BP’s STAT OF THE DAY
Top 5 2007 NL Relievers, by WXRL
Player, Team, WXRL
Takashi Saito, LAN, 5.8
Heath Bell, SDN, 5.7
Brandon Lyon, ARI, 4.4
Jose Valverde, ARI, 4.3
Jason Isringhausen, SLN, 4.2
December 7, 2007 at 6:13 pm
19-
I want to sign fukudome so he bats behind kouzmanoff and we can hear chants of KOOOOOOOOZ followed by FOOOOOOOOOOOK
December 7, 2007 at 9:26 pm
Barrett accepts arbitration.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7538290
December 8, 2007 at 9:52 pm
OT … here’s what life is like for fans of teams with a BAD GM …
http://www.dugoutcentral.com/blog/?p=632#
re: ’stros signing of Matsui … a classic rant!
December 8, 2007 at 10:40 pm
11. My understanding of Jose Castillo was that he could hit for power, but not hit consistently. That, and he had a lot of errors for Pittsburgh while he was at second base.
December 9, 2007 at 8:06 am
We lost Bradley to the Rangers. Ugh. I know a lot of people dont agree with me, but that feels like a punch in the stomach. Bradley made the rest of our lineup a lot better.
http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com.....mp;c_id=sd
December 9, 2007 at 8:28 am
#34: Damn, that stinks.
December 9, 2007 at 8:42 am
34, 35: I was just about to post the same thing. That seriously blows. I thought he was a huge part of our success last year, and I really would have loved to have him back.
I guess at the end of the day, he probably feel he can accomplish more as a DH type, rather than a regular outfielder.
December 9, 2007 at 9:19 am
New Bradley thread:
http://ducksnorts.com/blog/200.....ngers.html