Blast from the Past: Arizona Dreamin’

Monday, November 24, 2008
by Geoff Young
I usually make one or two trips out to Phoenix each year. Spring training has become a must, and I always enjoy taking in some Arizona Fall League games. Today, we're all about the AFL... and whatever else happened to come with it on a particular journey... and whatever else that triggers in my mind, which you may recall is a scary place to be: In 2001, I was impressed by a kid from Rancho Bernardo named Hank Blalock. Incidentally, his name used to appear at Ducksnorts with some regularity. The following year, while comparing a young Adam Dunn to Brian Giles and a young Albert Pujols to Manny Ramirez, we tossed around the possibility of acquiring Blalock to play second base to accommodate ...
Keep reading >>

Posted in Travels | No Comments »

Links for 31 Oct 08

Friday, October 31, 2008
by Geoff Young
Happy Halloween! To the links... Sabathia's free agency could set up a big payday for Padres ace (San Diego Union-Tribune). Reader Nick G. sends us an update on the Jake Peavy "story" from Tom Krasovic. Quoth Peavy's agent, Barry Axelrod: Making this about money is not my style, nor Jake's style. I think we proved that. But at the same time, I don't think Jake should have to sacrifice anything. I don't doubt Axelrod's sincerity, but these millionaires need to let go of that whole "it's not about the money" thing. Even if they believe it, and even if they're correct in believing it, nobody wants to hear about Peavy's "sacrifice." Don't get me wrong, ...
Keep reading >>

Posted in Notes and Links | 8 Comments »

Padres tickets  Chargers tickets  Sports tickets

Chatting with Sandy Alderson (Part 3)

Wednesday, June 18, 2008
by Geoff Young
This is the third of a three-part interview (Part 1 is here; Part 2 is here) with San Diego Padres CEO Sandy Alderson. Big thanks to Mr. Alderson for taking time out of his busy schedule to make himself available, and also to his assistant, Dayle Tedrow, for her indispensable assistance in making this happen. Ducksnorts: Something that's near and dear to my heart: Paul DePodesta has recently started a public-facing blog, which is really cool. When I was working in industry, that was one of the things I was trying to get my company to do externally... I've seen a lot of examples -- Wells Fargo, ...
Keep reading >>

Posted in Interviews | 108 Comments »

Padres 2008 Draft Odyssey

Thursday, June 5, 2008
by Geoff Young
Grab a beverage, sit down, and get comfy. Well, maybe not that comfy; seriously, dude, have a little dignity. As you know, MLB's First-Year Player Draft is upon us. What's in store for the Padres? Good question. Let's take a look, shall we... Draft Class Strengths and Weaknesses First-Year Player Draft Thursday, June 5, 2008 11 a.m. PT ESPN2 MLB.com XM 180 (names), 186 (commentary) The 2008 draft class features plenty of first baseman and relievers, but not much in the way of college pitching and middle infielders. According to Grady Fuson (for some reason not by-lined in the online version), the Padres are looking to add catching depth, corner outfielders with power, pitching, ...
Keep reading >>

Posted in Draft, Minors | 343 Comments »

Padres Farm Report (28 Apr 08)

Monday, April 28, 2008
by Geoff Young
Before we get to the scores and what-not, be sure to check out Bill Center's Q&A with Grady Fuson about the new Dominican Republic academy. Triple-A -- Portland 6, Las Vegas 4 Matt Antonelli: 1-for-4, BB Craig Stansberry: 1-for-3, 2 BB, E Chase Headley: 1-for-5, 2B Edgar Gonzalez (LF): 1-for-3, 2B, BB Chip Ambres (CF): 1-for-5, 2B, 2 SB Oscar Robles (SS): 1-for-4, 2B Josh Geer: 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 HR, 0 BB, 2 SO, HBP Clay Hensley (SS): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO (2 GO) Adam Bass: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 HR, 1 BB, 0 SO Jared Wells: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 1 BB, 0 SO Headley returned ...
Keep reading >>

Posted in Minors | No Comments »

Friday Links (4 Apr 08)

Friday, April 4, 2008
by Geoff Young
Look, up in the sky, it's a bird, it's a plane, it's... Friday links: Tom Krasovic at the U-T provides a brief overview of "Sandyball" (h/t LynchMob) -- the Padres' organizational philosophy under CEO Sandy Alderson: The club has made a habit of acquiring major leaguers who can be free agents at season's end, or signing veterans to one-year contracts. More to the point, the Padres fish those waters year-round. Alderson has said such players can be extra motivated by the prospect of imminent free agency. Further, such a player can strengthen the farm system if his departure nets a draft pick or two. Whoa, that makes way too much sense. Tom Verducci at SI.com has ...
Keep reading >>

Posted in Notes and Links | 41 Comments »