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Operation Center Field: Framing the Problem

I’ve been dreading this post (series of posts, really), been avoiding the subject for several months because it’s complex and difficult to frame. I’m still not ready to write about it in any meaningful way, but we can’t put it off any longer. Maybe the exercise itself will help us. The Problem Mike Cameron‘s contract [...]

Guys You Forgot Were Padres

Stupid fun for a Wednesday… Player Year(s) Mike Aldrete 1991 Marty Barrett 1991 Emil Brown 2001 Al Bumbry 1985 Storm Davis 1987 Jim Deshaies 1992 Miguel Dilone 1985 Oscar Gamble 1978 Atlee Hammaker 1990-91 Mike Hargrove 1979 Randy Hundley 1975 Dane Iorg 1986 Danny Jackson 1997 Jay Johnstone 1979 Dave Kingman 1977 Mickey Lolich 1978-79 [...]

First Projections for 2008

Dan has posted 2008 ZiPS projections for the Padres (hat tip to Ben B. in the comments). Some key names: Hitters Player BA OBP SLG Josh Bard .281 .366 .401 Adrian Gonzalez .284 .351 .511 Matt Antonelli .254 .337 .376 Kevin Kouzmanoff .289 .345 .492 Khalil Greene .249 .300 .442 Scott Hairston .243 .317 .405 [...]

Weekend Winter Wrapup (15 Oct 07)

I am gradually tracking down all the Padres’ winter-league assignments. Bear with me… Friday, October 12 Arizona Fall League Javelinas 8, Saguaros 3 (box score). Matt Antonelli, batting eighth for the Saguaros, went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. He’s 0-for-9 with a walk so far. Reader JP compares Antonelli to former big-leaguer Steve Sax, and it’s [...]

Friday Links (12 Oct 07)

I saw Brian Giles last night. There should be more to this story, but there isn’t. All I can say is that presumably he likes pizza. To the links: MB at Friar Forecast is ready for some hot-stove action (that sounded better in my head): hitters | pitchers. The back end of the rotation needs [...]

Preseason Projections for 2007 Revisited

Thank you for your excellent suggestions on the book, and keep ‘em coming. Meanwhile, as part of this project, I’m taking inventory of an entire season’s worth of entries, which means that I’m still in “looking back” mode for now. In that vein, I thought it might be fun to re-examine preseason projections for key [...]

Ducksnorts 2008 Baseball Annual Preliminary Outline

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 [...]

Winter Leagues Begin

Yeah, the Hawaii Winter League has been going for a while, but the Padres don’t have any entrants there, so what do we care. The Arizona Fall League and Mexican Winter League both begin Tuesday. I think I’ve tracked down all the Padres playing there, but let me know if I’ve missed anyone… Arizona Fall [...]

Review the Preview: Pitchers

We’re looking back at my preseason predictions for the Padres. Last week we examined the hitters; today we turn our attention to the moundsmen… Rotation Jake Peavy, RHP What I said: “If he’s going to maintain his place among the elite pitchers in baseball, Peavy really needs to become more efficient.” What happened: From a [...]

Friday Links (5 Oct 07)

Busy, busy, busy… Scouting Jake Peavy (Baseball Analysts, via Jim Parish in the comments). Joe P. Sheehan dissects the repertoire of Jake Peavy. Brian Giles has surgery on knee (San Diego Union-Tribune, via Tom Waits in the comments). Brian Giles, who has been having trouble with his right knee since April, is expected to be [...]