While I’m gearing up the BTF Padres preview, it’s just links for a while. Read ‘em. Read the guys over on the right. Lotta good stuff out there.

• Klesko undergoes MRI on throwing shoulder (NC Times). This is not the shoulder he had surgery on at the end of 2003.
• Burroughs happy to give up leadoff spot (NC Times). Quoth Burroughs: “I got to the point where I basically hated it. It was a good experience, but I don’t think I was suited for it.” [via Padres Press]
• 2005 Top 100 Prospects: 26-50 (BA). Josh Barfield checks in at #45. From Padres scouting director Bill Gayton: “The kid understands hitting. It’s just rare to see a young hitter who understands how to stay inside the ball so well.”
• 2005 Season Preview (National League) (Doubleswitch). He likes the Pads to win the West. Nice comp between Ramon Hernandez and Jason Varitek (and the money the former likely will command because of the latter). And this: “Roberts is a decent player, a great baserunner who will take some walks. But he’s also 33 years old, has never played a full season, and really isn’t as good as the guy he’s replacing (Payton).” [thanks to Braves Beat]
• San Diego Padres: Greene-r Pastures (Talking Baseball). Another preview. This one calls the Pads a lock to win 90 games, which seems overly optimistic to me.
• Breakfast With Bill James (Part Three) (Baseball Analysts). Rich Lederer wraps up his interview with James. Some gems in here: “I guess Clemens is the greatest pitcher I ever saw — but Saberhagen on a given day, when he was healthy, it was hard to see what separated him from being perfect.” Also, his riffs on Rickey Henderson and Whitey Herzog are great.
• Runnin’ with the Padres (Press-Telegram). Learn more about Padres spring training running coach, LaTanya Sheffield.