Contest: Guess the Padres’ 2008 Opening Day Roster
Thu, Feb 28, 2008
by Geoff Young
In honor of the Padres’ first Cactus League game (a charity event against the Mariners @ 12:05 p.m. PT, XM 180), and to celebrate the release of the Ducksnorts 2008 Baseball Annual, it’s time for the second annual Ducksnorts “Guess the Padres’ Opening Day Roster” contest. Here’s how it works:
- Submit your guess via the handy contact form or leave it in the comments. Identify the 25 players you think will break camp with the big club.
- Include the name of the player you think will score the Padres’ first run of the 2008 season; this will be used in the event of a tie. If the tie still cannot be broken, my wife will pick names from a hat. I know it’s not the most scientific method, but I want to keep this simple and get as many people involved as possible.
- Entries are due by Sunday, March 9, 2008, 11:59 p.m. PT. There is no fee; anyone is welcome to play. One submission per person, please.
- Results will be tabulated on opening day; whoever gets the highest percentage of correct names wins a copy of the Ducksnorts 2008 Baseball Annual.
- I’ll be participating for fun. If I should win, the book goes to our first runner-up.
Any questions? If not, start sending your guesses and we’ll go from there. Have fun, and good luck!
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.
February 28, 2008 at 7:57 am
Corey Brock posted a link to his blog which has today’s lineup …
http://coreybrock.mlblogs.com/coreybrock/
Corey … why no Matt Antonelli yesterday nor today?
February 28, 2008 at 8:14 am
The picture in this article really makes me chuckle: http://www.signonsandiego.com/.....livan.html
I’ll do my lineup soon.
And thanks for the tip about the game being on XM! So stoked!
February 28, 2008 at 8:21 am
No local radio for today’s game. #2. Antonelli played most of the intrasquad game Thursday. Plus, it only makes more sense that they want to look more at Robles at this point.
February 28, 2008 at 8:28 am
Here are some details about yesterday’s game: http://www.signonsandiego.com/.....notes.html
Hopefully K-Cam and Hampson aren’t too banged up.
February 28, 2008 at 9:37 am
4 … thanks for the link! Here’s some “bad news” from that article …
Two relievers yesterday were scratched from today’s game: Justin Hampson (shoulder tightness) and Kevin Cameron (hamstring strain).
… let’s hope these fall into the category of “meaningless / routine spring training aches / pains” …
February 28, 2008 at 10:07 am
3 … no, it’s not obvious to me that they want to look at Robles more than Antonelli … is that because they’ve already decided Antonelli will be going to AAA? If that’s the case, then I understand and agree … but no one’s said that … so it’s not obvious …
Also, if looking at Robles is so important, then why not put him at SS? It seems like Antonelli can and should be getting as many innings and ABs as possible at either 2B or CF … and so he could playing today instead of either DaVanon or Roqriquez.
I do not doubt that the Padres have a plan … I’m just asking what the plan is …
February 28, 2008 at 10:28 am
6. With the Iguchi signing, I think it’s a foregone conclusion Antonelli will open the season in Portland. The team hasn’t said that but then why would they? The Padres are trying to sift through their muddled reserve infield/bench situation, which makes looking at Robles and guys like Crabbe, Stansberry and Edgar Gonzalez more important early in camp.
February 28, 2008 at 10:47 am
I just finished my predictions a few days ago in an article entitled “SPRING TRAINING POSITION BATTLES”. Here’s the link but I’ll submit my predictions below as well.
http://www.sdpadrefan.com/Spri.....ttles.html
I have a few surprises and I’m certain at least one of the middle relievers is going to have a minor injury and start the season on the DL, which will open it up for someone like Paul Abraham, Mauro Zarate, or Enrique Gonzalez. Since Hampson is having some issues, I’ll guess that he starts on the DL and Gonzalez makes the club.
I’ll also guess that Iguchi will score the first run of the season.
sdpadrefan.com’s roster prediction for Opening Day
Starting Rotation:
1. Jake Peavy
2. Chris Young
3. Greg Maddux
4. Randy Wolf
5. Tim Stauffer
Bullpen:
6 (Long Relief) Enrique Gonzalez
7 (Middle Relief) Carlos Guevara
8 (Middle Relief) Cla Meredith
9 (Middle Relief) – Joe Thatcher
10 (Set-Up 7th Inn.) Kevin Cameron
11 (Set-Up 8th inn.) Heath Bell
12 (Closer) Trevor Hoffman
Starting Lineup:
RF Jody Gerut
2B Tadahito Iguchi
3B Kevin Kouzmanoff
1B Adrian Gonzalez
CF Jim Edmonds
SS Khalil Greene
LF Scott Hairston
C Josh Bard
Bench:
C Michael Barrett
1B Tony Clark
IF Edgar Gonzalez
OF Jeff Davanon
UTL Callix Crabbe
DISABLED LIST:
OF Brian Giles
RHP Mark Prior
RHP Clay Hensley
LHP Justin Hampson
February 28, 2008 at 10:48 am
7 … THANKS! Ya, I don’t expect the Padres to say what their plans are … so we’re all just trying to play/guess along … thanks for helping me/us do that.
So, with needing to make critical decisions on Robles, Crabbe, Stansberry, and Edgar Gonzalez, how/why does Luis Rodriguez get a start today? He’s a name I’m not familiar with … but I guess you’re saying that he’s in the “guys like” category …
Also, this note from yesterday’s game bum’d me …
Utility catcher Robert Fick threw out Callix Crabbe attempting to steal, and singled.
… in other words, I think I’m more bum’d that Crabbe couldn’t steal on Fick than I’m pleased that Fick could throw out Crabbe …
February 28, 2008 at 10:52 am
LynchMob: I liked your last line about Crabbe and Fick. That made me laugh. I forgot to mention Luis Rodriguez. I think he’s in that class with Robles, Crabbe, Stansberry and Gonzalez. They’ve scheduled two “B” games next week so that will give a lot of these guys more at-bats early on.
February 28, 2008 at 10:53 am
GY … an easy “tie breaker” would be “earliest submitted” … sdpadrefan.com has gotten things off to a good start … and his roster should have to be beaten, ie. not just tied, for it not to win.
February 28, 2008 at 10:55 am
#9: Yeah, Rodriguez is in the mix. Basically the Pads need to fill the spot vacated by Blum. We claimed Rodriguez off waivers in October; see org tree.
February 28, 2008 at 10:57 am
#11: Actually, I’ve received three submissions so far.
February 28, 2008 at 10:57 am
10 … ah, the “B” games … I’m going to be in AZ next week … how do I find out when and where the “B” games are?
I’m interested to see how these battles evolve! I think the backup SS job is very critical … and right now I have no idea who is the front-runner for that job … Robles? I just don’t know much about Rodriquez and Gonzalez …
February 28, 2008 at 11:00 am
LM: Getting that today, I’ll have it up on my notes later today on the Padres website.
February 28, 2008 at 11:05 am
15 … that’d be GREAT, thanks!
12 … OK, Luis Rodriquez was claimed on waivers after 10 seasons in the Twins org … http://www.thebaseballcube.com.....guez.shtml … gotta like those BB/K ratios … more BBs than Ks is always a good thing in my book … he’s played some SS (ex. full season in AA) … he seems like a good player to have in the mix … he will make the spring work more competitive … a good thing.
February 28, 2008 at 11:06 am
Re: 8 Stauffer in the 5 spot gutsy call! I always liked Tim and I hope your right!
February 28, 2008 at 11:25 am
17 … I’m a big Stauffer fan as well … so that’s who I’m rooting for … and the way he finished at AAA last year is what give me hope for his 2008 …
According to several reports, Estes is the “early favorite” (ex. http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com.....mp;c_id=sd ) … then there’s also this report which names Estes as KT’s “sleeper” pick for the #5 spot ( http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com.....mp;c_id=sd ).
February 28, 2008 at 11:38 am
Corey, I just wanted to say thanks to you (and Geoff) for always keeping up with new material on the Pads. You’ve been pretty busy over at Padres.com.
February 28, 2008 at 11:59 am
I can’t stand Stauffer and biased opinion aside I say there is no way in hell he makes this club as the 5th starter. Realistically I think it’s Estes or Rusch but I see them going with LeBlanc before Stauffer.
February 28, 2008 at 12:06 pm
OT, I’ve got a fantasy baseball preview of the Padres in the debut issue of Roster Magazine. Mostly review material for y’all, but check out the rest of the mag. Some good stuff here.
February 28, 2008 at 12:07 pm
19. You bet, dude. Hit me up anytime. I’m here to help. First pitch underway here … DaVanon caught looking.
February 28, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Jeff DaVanon caught looking on a 3-2 pitch from Jarrod Washburn to start the game.
February 28, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Starting Rotation
1. Jake Peavy
2. Chris Young
3. Greg Maddux
4. Randy Wolf
5. Shawn Estes. Not because he’s good, just because he’ll get the job.
Bullpen
6. Enrique Gonzalez
7. Glendon Rusch
8. Cla Meredith
9. Joe Thatcher
10. Mauro Zarate
11 Heath Bell
12 Trevor Hoffman
Starting Lineup
13. RF OG
14. 2B Iguchi
15. 3B Kouzmanoff
16. 1B Gonzalez
17. SS Khalil Greene
18. CF Jim Edmonds
19. LF Scott Hairston
20. C Josh Bard
Bench
21. Michael Barrett
22. Tony Clark
23. Jody Gerut
24. Jeff Davanon
25. Callix Crabbe
DL
Carlos Guevara (even if he’s not really hurt, a common tactic with Rule 5 picks)
Mark Prior
Clay Hensley
Justin Hampson
Kevin Cameron (or optioned to Portland)
February 28, 2008 at 12:12 pm
20: It’s not that I can’t stand Stauffer; he was a stand-up guy after he was drafted and he hasn’t behaved unprofessionally as far as I know.
But some Ducksnorts posters have a better chance of being the 5th starter on Opening Day than he does.
February 28, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Headley just snagged a line drive by Ichiro going to his knees. Well done.
February 28, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Corey, how did Headley look on the ball that Ichiro hit?
February 28, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Okay, I should post my list. Here goes:
SP: Peavy, Young, Maddux, Wolf, Estes
RP: Hoffman, Bell, Meredith, Cameron, Hampson, Thatcher, Guevara
C: Bard, Barrett
INF: Gonzalez, Iguchi, Kouzmanoff, Greene, Clark, Robles
OF: Hairston, Edmonds, Giles, Gerut, DaVanon
February 28, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Headley looked good, battled what appears to be a tough sun.
February 28, 2008 at 12:31 pm
#29: Thanks, Corey. Meanwhile, Bard just nailed a runner at second.
February 28, 2008 at 12:33 pm
26, 29 … are one or both of you guys in Peoria? … or is the game on TV? … or on mlb.com?
February 28, 2008 at 12:34 pm
28 … don’t forget to guess who scores the first run … but then again, I guess you’re not worried about the tie breaker
February 28, 2008 at 12:37 pm
#32: I should follow my own rules, huh?
I’ll be crazy and go with Peavy. 
February 28, 2008 at 12:37 pm
I’m in Peoria covering the team. Geoff: Nice throw by Bard, though LaHair won’t be confused for Ichiro anytime soon!
February 28, 2008 at 12:40 pm
27 … Tom Krasovic must also be on-site and blog’ing today’s game … here’s his view of Chase’s OF play and 1st AB today …
http://www.signonsandiego.com/.....l#comments
February 28, 2008 at 12:43 pm
I’ve got XM. I was stunned that Bard threw someone out. Heat’s in.
February 28, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Preseason Game #1 and we’re gettin’ some IGD … winter is *OVER*, baby!!! Keep those cards & letters comin’!
February 28, 2008 at 12:45 pm
mlb.com has a “live box score” …
http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com.....b_seamlb_1
February 28, 2008 at 12:45 pm
24, 31, 32: Aaarggh. Newman!
First Padre run will be scored by OG.
February 28, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Hey GY I forgot to give you the first run, can you put me doen for Adrian, Thanks!
February 28, 2008 at 12:57 pm
I really think Stauffer is moved by the Padres before the season begins. A fresh start for everyone is better off, to send him to Portland for a fourth year - and take a spot of a better prospect in the rotation would be a bad move.
Also I think many of the guys coming from San Antonio are better than him.
February 28, 2008 at 1:07 pm
I’ll be quite unoriginal with mine…
C Josh Bard
C Michael Barrett
1B Adrian Gonzalez
1B Tony Clark
2B Tadahito Iguchi
SS Khalil Greene
IF Callix Crabbe
3B Kevin Kouzmanoff
LF Scott Hairston
CF Jim Edmonds
RF Brian Giles
OF Chase Headley
OF Paul McAnulty
SP Jake Peavy
SP Chris Young
SP Greg Maddux
SP Randy Wolf
SP Justin Germano
RP Justin Hampson
RP Michael Gardner
RP Kevin Cameron
RP Joe Thatcher
RP Cla Meredith
RP Heath Bell
RP Trevor Hoffman
February 28, 2008 at 1:13 pm
SP: Peavy, Young, Maddux, Wolf, Germano
RP: Hoffman, Bell, Meredith, Cameron, Hampson, Thatcher, Ledezma
C: Bard, Barrett
INF: Gonzalez, Iguchi, Kouzmanoff, Greene, Clark, Robles
OF: Hairston, Edmonds, Giles, Gerut, Davannon
This sucks…mine is almost identical to Geoff’s…only 3 differences.
Oh yea and Kouz will score the first run with a bomb.
February 28, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Myrow, batting for Kouz, drives home two with a single. Scrubs coming in now — Venable, Sinisi…
February 28, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Anybody still want Andruw Jones?
He raised some eyebrows reporting to camp at 240 pounds. But he assured new manager Joe Torre he’ll lose it as the season progresses.
http://shysterball.blogspot.co.....ed-to.html
February 28, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Oh, and the first run will be Kouzmanoff.
February 28, 2008 at 1:28 pm
P-Mac now in left, Macias in right.
February 28, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Crabbe evidently getting a look at shortstop.
February 28, 2008 at 1:39 pm
P-Mac on scrub team?
February 28, 2008 at 1:42 pm
44 … careful, GY … calling Venable a ’scrub’ seems harsh at this point … some of are hoping he’s got one last shot at being a ‘prospect’ …
And Sinisi had a good winter, numbers-wise … he’s not in the mix at all here in the spring (at least he’s not in anyone’s buzz) … but I’m rooting for him to light AAA Portland on fire and be one of the guys that makes a contribution to the 2008 Padres … mark the tape!
February 28, 2008 at 1:44 pm
35 … more good IGD-like blog entries from Krasovic at UT … see link in #35 …
February 28, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Thatcher just served up a homer to Jeremy Reed. That’s not good.
February 28, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Re: I think by scrubs he meant non-starters not bad players.
February 28, 2008 at 1:45 pm
#49, 50: “Scrub” as in “starters have been pulled.”
February 28, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Thatcher is getting torched.
February 28, 2008 at 1:49 pm
54 … so … Chase Headley was a “scrub” yesterday? OK … still seems misleading
52 … Reed’s one of those “he coulda/shoulda been a real good player” guys … perhaps the M’s version of Scott Hairston?
February 28, 2008 at 1:50 pm
56: No really, Thactcher is getting smoked. Badly.
February 28, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Meh I would be a little worried if he was mowing people down (see Braselton, Dewon)
February 28, 2008 at 1:52 pm
#56: None of the guys coming in right now will be starting for the Padres in 2008. That’s what I meant; nothing more, nothing less.
Thatcher’s day is done.
February 28, 2008 at 2:18 pm
59 … I detect a “poll” or “over/under” question …
how many games started for the 2008 Padres, combined, for the following players: Venable, Myrow, Sinisi, McAnulty?
… or do you mean this …
how many of the following players will be on the Padres Opening Day 2008 roster: Venable, Myrow, Sinisi, McAnulty?
… ah, fun questions … especially early in the spring! They help define the term “long shot” …
February 28, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Josh Bard
Adrian Gonzalez
Tadahito Iguchi
Khalil Greene
Kevin Kouzmanoff
Scott Hairston
Jim Edmonds
Brian Giles
Jake Peavy
Chris Young
Greg Maddux
Randy Wolf
Shawn Estes
Trevor Hoffman
Heath Bell
Cla Meredith
Joe Thatcher
Justin Hampson
Kevin Cameron
Justin Germano
Michael Barrett
Tony Clark
Chase Headley
Callix Crabbe
Jody Gerut
February 28, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Also Adrian will score the first run.
February 28, 2008 at 2:36 pm
#60: Poll created. Go nuts.
Pads lose…
February 28, 2008 at 2:39 pm
63: Ugly game. Nobody but Gerut seemed to be able to swing the bat that well (Winterball gives you a head start, I guess).
Meredith and Thatcher both looked awful today. Any thoughts on this? Does AZ make it tough for side-armers?
February 28, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Pitchers
Jake Peavy
Chris Young
Greg Maddux
Randy Wolf
Glendon Rusch
Heath Bell
Trevor Hoffman
Joe Thatcher
Cla Meredith
Kevin Cameron
Clay Hensley
Justin Hampson (LR)
Brian Giles
Tad Iguchi
Kevin Kouzmanoff
Adrian Gonzalez
Jim Edmonds
Khalil Greene
Josh Bard
Scott Hairston
Jeff Davanon
Callex Crabbe
Robert Fick
Michael Barrett
Tony Clark
February 28, 2008 at 3:03 pm
BP’s STAT OF THE DAY
Top 5 2008 NL Shortstops, by PECOTA Projected VORP
Player, Team, EqA, VORP
Hanley Ramirez, FLO, .298, 59.7
Jose Reyes, NYN, .282, 44.5
Jimmy Rollins, PHI, .277, 42.8
Khalil Greene, SDN, .264, 28.5
Troy Tulowitzki, COL, .267, 28.3
… looks ’bout right to me …
February 28, 2008 at 3:41 pm
66: I’m actually surprised that Khalil’s projected VORP is higher than Tulo’s. Nice to see that we really do have 1 of the best 5 SS in the game.
February 28, 2008 at 3:41 pm
67: I mean in the NL.
February 28, 2008 at 4:02 pm
67: I guess the Park Factors for Coors and Petco are significant.
February 28, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Heath Bell and Chris Young have the best fastballs in the game. Germano also makes the list. Wierd. http://www.hardballtimes.com/m.....est-pitch/
February 28, 2008 at 5:01 pm
I knew I’d take some heat for picking Stauffer as the #5 starter but I really don’t like the other options much. Estes, Germano, and Rusch would all be good for a very ordinary 5 innings and 3 or 4 ER per start. I’m not saying Stauffer would be that much better but I think the Padres would love to see their former first round pick make a contribution. That was my thinking. Plus, I didn’t want to pick the same exact squad as 20 other people. It never shakes out the way everyone expects.
Re #41: Hey John Conniff. I know you guys get the inside scoop over at the Mad Friars so I believe you when you say that a Stauffer trade is a possibility… BUT do you really think they’d trade him when he still has minor league options and not much trade value? Or do you think his strong second half of last year boosted his value?
February 28, 2008 at 5:29 pm
70 … thanks for the link … interesting that no Padre pitchers are on the list of “best changeup” … the organizational emphsis doesn’t show up here … yet?
February 28, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Thought I should get into the act:
Rotation:
Peavy
CY
Maddux
Wolf
LeBlanc
Pen:
Hoffman
Meredith
Bell
Thatcher
Cameron
Hampson
Germano
Lineup:
OG
Iguchi
Kouz
Adrian
KG
Edmonds
Headley
Bard
Bench:
Hairston
Barrett
Crabbe/Goyle
Clark
Gonzalez