Here are some links to check out while we all hope there won't be an hour long television special when Cliff Lee is traded…
- ESPN's Keith Law tweets that the Diamondbacks have signed fourth round pick Kevin Munson. Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic says Munson received a $243K bonus (via Twitter).
- FoxSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi asked a scout if the Padres should make a trade for a right fielder now that Will Venable is on the disabled list (Twitter link)."No," said the scout. "Aaron Cunningham is playing better than Venable was." Cunningham was acquired from the A's as part of the Kevin Kouzmanoff–Scott Hairston deal, and is hitting .310/.318/.476 in 45 plate appearances this year.
- The Brewers' front office watched four straight losses during their organizational meetings this week, and Morosi thinks (via Twitter) that has them looking more like a seller than buyer.
- Baseball fans aren't the only ones getting excited about a potential Cliff Lee trade. Players inside the Rangers' clubhouse are also thrilled about the possibility of adding the former Cy Young Award winner to the staff, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan.
- The Nationals have signed three more draft picks according to a team press release, including third rounder Rick Hague. The Nationals' faithful are still waiting on Bryce Harper, however.
hahaa @ hour long special for Cliff Lee.
I Love Aaron Cunningham, and I do believe he will chip in nicely for the Padres while Venable is on the DL and has thus far! however, Aaron has only played a handful of games and 4 of his 8 RBI came off of one swing, a slam. Although he has hit in… I believe in 7 straight games. The Padres are still likely to add a bat even if Cunningham continues to play well. When Will Venable comes off the DL Cunningham could be sent down or share time with a newly acquired LF’R and Tony Gwynn Jr. Scott Hairston could be the odd man out on the bench because of his lack of production. Scott also seems to thrive better off the bench anyways. The problem is all the Padre outfielders have lacked production, so I do not see them satisfied with status quo and have even stated so much. Tony Gwynn has played an excellent CF and Venable had come on strong before the DL but I am not sure in 1st place you can “stand pat” with not ONE legit proven producer in the outfield when all of their outfielders struggle. Also, Kyle Blanks could very well need surgery, that is still an option. So.. regardless I see the Padres making a run for a middle of the order presence (outfielder) or a head and shoulders improvement at the lead off spot.
I would have to respectfully disagree. If any upgrade happens it will be in our Rotation Simply for two reasons; 1 we seem content to mix and match our outfield with who is hot at the time ( BTW i agree with you about Hairston), 2 it has been our MO to win on timely offense, great pitching and defense, all of our outfielders are average to above average defenders. Our pitching is becoming more and more suspect. Rotation wise Garland is prone for the big inning, Correia is boom or bust, Latos and Richard will be pitching more innings than any previous year this year meaning they most likely will have to be shut down to protect their arms (1 or both), and Leblanc seems to be pitching over his head still but that is still in question. Pitching is what we are known for and i think its what we will stick with.
Then actually we agree, the difference is I think we will do both! lol
I think a pitcher like Guthrie, Harang, Jackson etc. to help the work load of the younger pitchers. I am a big time fan of Cunningham and was before the Padres acquired him, I hope he can stick.
I’d stay away from Jackson. He’s been pretty bad this year (no-no aside). I think either Harang or Guthrie would flourish in PetCo.
The scout who said the Padres should not trade for a RF based on 45 AB’s from Aaron Cunningham should be fired. I like Cunningham, but you always improve if/when you have a chance to do so. The Padres desperately need a middle of the order bat to help Gonzalez. Anyone can see that.
I dont think we have the bullets in the minor leagues to do both.
What we need is another Garland maybe someone with a little more upside anything better will deplete our farm system too much. I think he FO is in a terrible predicament, they didn’t expect/want the team to do this well (rebuilding year) mainly because it would cause more of an investment that really isn’t available. Now that we are the surprise of the league we don’t have the major flexibility to take the lasting impact to push us over and at the same time we cant throw in the towel and stock our farm system even more. Its a great/terrible catch 22.
I agree with the assessment on Cunningham, type of player we need. he will only stick if we think he is more valuable than venable or hairston which is tough, just cus of the FO infatuation. Wish we would have given Gallagher a shot much better than Mujica
Hoyer has been saying since May that he has the flexibility to make additions if the team remains in contention.
I think Mickey is on the right track; the Padres should be able to acquire a guy like Jeremy Guthrie without bleeding the system dry. He is exactly what you describe; another Garland with a little upside. He’ll eat innings and give us a chance to win. Not an ace, but a valuable addition. He shouldn’t cost too much, either. I believe he’s a FA, so they could choose to re-sign him or let him walk.
There was mention in another MLBTR post about the Padres possibly going after Jayson Werth. Again, he’s the perfect fit. He fits out style of play while providing above average power. He’s also a FA. They could trade for him and wait until the end of the year to decide if they should keep him.
I disagree with your assessment of the position the FO is in. This is actually an ideal position. Winning right away gives the FO the opportunity to prove to the fans they are committed to winning. They can add a couple guys (maybe Guthrie and Werth, for example) who would make immediate impacts. The additional salary would be minimal because they’d only be paying half their salaries for this year.
Whether they win in the post season or not, making bold moves to improve the team for a run will buy them loyalty from the fans. They could let their additions walk in the offseason (Werth would net them two first round picks if they don’t re-sign him, Guthrie might also net them a pick), re-stock the system, and commence with the rebuilding. Fans would be happy with the run Moorad would have bought himself 4-5 years of loyalty while he rebuilds and re-tools. Conversely, if he does nothing, it’s “more of the same” and fans will never trust or accept him and his team.
Moorad is too damn smart to miss this opportunity.
PS. Sean Gallagher sucks. Brutal. I don’t trust Mujica, but Gallagher is a gas can. Awful.
Guthrie is still under team control through 2012.
Hoyer does have the financial flexibility to make a move but I highly doubt it would be both of those moves. s. I am on board with the Guthrie pickup because of the obvious benefits and the position of the Orioles.
As for Werth i think there are too many negative consequences;
1.) Off season (does he get two picks)
2.) Clubhouse chemistry
3.) Price for this season (prospects)
4.) Production no real guarantee on him playing in Petco
Since i do find most of the padres posters on here fairly intelligent i ask for your proposal to get Werth taking into consideration all of the said consequences and price
I do agree with you on Moorad being in a good position but i think its more contingent on the result, he could do nothing and if we go far in playoffs (NLCS) its a win. If he does something small (guthrie)-> NLCS its a win etc.
As for Gallagher i like him from the aspect that he has a high upside if he has a chance vs. obvious low ceiling guys we already have such as Inman, Garrison, Ramos, and Carillo to name a few,
I understand the concern about Werth’s home/road splits, but what is the concern about the clubhouse? Also, while one of the picks could be bumped out of the first round, he’ll definitely yield two picks.
I don’t follow you on the proposed negative consequences of adding a guy like Werth.
First, he will be a type-A free agent. It’s based on production, and he’s been producing at a high level for nearly three years. Worst case scenario he will yield and first round pick and a sandwich pick, but I think two firsts is pretty much a given. Either way, adding two early picks like that is a bonus.
Second, I think the clubhouse chemistry thing is a cop out used by front office people who are afraid to make a move. Jayson Werth is a very good player and adding his talents to the lineup will only enhance chemistry (and confidence) because it’s a signal that the FO believes in this team. Also, if they were to extend his contract it might convince Adrian to stay long term. Again, it only enhances chemistry.
Third, I think any deal for Werth will probably need to include either Mike Adams or Gregerson. My guess is we could probably get him for Adams or Gregerson and a pitching prospect. The Phillies already have his replacement and they are desperately in need of bullpen help. If they move one of those two, they can bump Webb into the 7th inning role and move the other into the 8th inning role. They could then call up Russell for depth in the pen. They have enough relievers that trading Adams or Gregerson wouldn’t kill them.
Fourth, Jayson Werth can hit. He may not be a 30-Hr guy in PetCo, but he’s still more dangerous than anyone in the lineup other than Adrian. Hit him fourth behind Adrian and teams will think twice about pitching around him. He’ll hit tons of doubles and drive in runs. He’s also a very good defender.
Moorad can’t afford to do nothing. This team does not score enough runs to make it far in the playoffs. As soon as the post season starts, teams will pitch around Adrian and we’ll be looking at a carbon copy of the playoff teams from earlier in the decade. If Moorad does nothing he’s sending a message that he doesn’t care about winning. Adding Guthrie has its benefits, but they need to add a bat in order to make noise in the playoffs. It’s pretty difficult to refute that point.
I admittedly have not seen Inman or Garrison pitch, so I can’t speak about their upside. I would, how ever, disagree about Ramos’s upside versus Gallagher. I think Ramos’s stuff is better than Gallagher, and I think his being a lefty makes him more valuable. He’s very tough on lefties, and I do think he will evolve into a solid #4 or #5 start. Carrillo also has better stuff than Gallagher, he’s just had a hard time working back from TJ surgery. He was abused in college, but he was “can’t miss” when we drafted him.
Gallagher is a mop-up man – great arm, but doesn’t have the mental makeup to succeed. The second someone gets on base he melts down and gets lit up. He’s had chances with the Cubs, A’s and Padres. The A’s really gave him a chance, but he was either hurt or ineffective. His star has lost its luster.
The consequences are more of a possibility than a guarantee much like Werths potential impact in the lineup.
1. Type A free agency- 2 draft picks are a possibility but only if we offer arbitration. Doesnt look good to Agon from a PR standpoint. Also could blow up in our face if he accepts.
2. Chemistry might take a hit because of the high level of comradery and the team woudl see it as the FO doesnt think they can get it done themselves.
3. I have to disagree with you, the price will be Bell or Gregerson and a prospect. Adams is a ? to other teams, also unless the Phillies plummet fast they are gonna need all the hitting they can get to stay in the race. No way we trade Bell or gregorson considering off season decisions (bell getting a raise)and the fact the bullpen has been our biggest strength.
4. Werth has good pop and D which is a plus, but his stats will take a hit coming to Petco, im thinking more of a .280 with 25 HR and 80-95 RBI. His impact wont completely reshape our offense as most of us wish it would.
5. It will more than likely block alot growth of players the FO is high on, Venable, Hunter, Blanks, Cunningham, and Hairston.
Gotta disagree with you on Gallagher, stuff wise he is better than any of the players i mentioned. Carillo, is a prospect bust, inman can survive if he pitches over his head, ramos has never had high level stuff, Garrison has been lost for a while. Gallagher was placed in a bad role in the bullpen and had injuries in Oakland, where he didn’t play to expectations. I guess time will tell.
On the brightside we are both level enough(and probably happy about the padres winning) to be able to agree to disagree. I think we can do well with what has got us here, pitching defense and timely hitting. Its finally a fun time to be a padres fan at the deadline.
We’ll have to agree to disagree. I don’t see any way the Padres can advance deep into the playoffs with this offense. Standing pat would be a mistake.
Even if Werth ‘only’ hits 25 HR and drives in 85 runs, he’s still the second best hitter in our lineup. Adding another run producer like that would, in fact, transform the lineup. How could it not? It would allow us to stop running AAAA guys like Denorfia, Gwynn, etc out there. They could play Cunningham in LF, Venable in CF and Werth in RF. Blanks probably won’t be back this season, so it would not impact him unless the Padres kept Werth.
Well at least we both agree we need improvements. Your outfield seems a little slow on the defensive side, Venable is too slow to be a consistent CF and we already know my thoughts on Werth. While i love Werths bat if we got a little bit more production from players we had i would be happy, isn’t it time for a Scott Hairston hot streak?
Blanks, im lost for words with, Hairston usually heats up if he plays regularly, gwynn has turned it on recently and Cunningham just needs some playing time.
The consequences are more of a possibility than a guarantee much like Werths potential impact in the lineup.
1. Type A free agency- 2 draft picks are a possibility but only if we offer arbitration. Doesnt look good to Agon from a PR standpoint. Also could blow up in our face if he accepts.
2. Chemistry might take a hit because of the high level of comradery and the team woudl see it as the FO doesnt think they can get it done themselves.
3. I have to disagree with you, the price will be Bell or Gregerson and a prospect. Adams is a ? to other teams, also unless the Phillies plummet fast they are gonna need all the hitting they can get to stay in the race. No way we trade Bell or gregorson considering off season decisions (bell getting a raise)and the fact the bullpen has been our biggest strength.
4. Werth has good pop and D which is a plus, but his stats will take a hit coming to Petco, im thinking more of a .280 with 25 HR and 80-95 RBI. His impact wont completely reshape our offense as most of us wish it would.
5. It will more than likely block alot growth of players the FO is high on, Venable, Hunter, Blanks, Cunningham, and Hairston.
Gotta disagree with you on Gallagher, stuff wise he is better than any of the players i mentioned. Carillo, is a prospect bust, inman can survive if he pitches over his head, ramos has never had high level stuff, Garrison has been lost for a while. Gallagher was placed in a bad role in the bullpen and had injuries in Oakland, where he didn’t play to expectations. I guess time will tell.
On the brightside we are both level enough(and probably happy about the padres winning) to be able to agree to disagree. I think we can do well with what has got us here, pitching defense and timely hitting. Its finally a fun time to be a padres fan at the deadline.
I totally agree with you mickeykoke…Cunningham is going to be a future OF for the Padres and it was sad that he got traded 4 times and i hope they get someone but who do you think the padres most likely going to get during the trade deadline.
I love how smart the Padres GM is. I need to send him a case of beer to thank him for making the padres bullpen and rotation one of the best in baseball because my fantasy team is benefiting from it.
I picked up Mat Latos on the waiver wire in early June, the guy has been stellar.
I hope you enjoyed the ride. They will probably have him in an innings limit.
I know, I’m gonna have to replace him and Strasburg most likely, but I think it’ll be worth it.
Same here. He’s done wonders to my ERA. He’s probably having the quietest best season in the NL. No one outside of San Diego knows who he is.
Guthrie and Corey Hart we need those two.
I think DeJesus is a good fit on the Padres, he’s having a good year and is under control next season as well. I just think he’s got enough power to play well in Petco and be a good gap hitter, his OBP is very nice, and he plays good defense out in LF.
Window is still open for the Brewers and they have finally figured out they don’t have close to enough pitching. They should only move Hart if they don’t think they can keep Fielder. If they move Fielder to the Giants for a proven starter (not Sanchez) , they should resign Hart and find a left handed hitting first basement (talk to the Reds about Alonzo) to put in the middle of the order, otherwise their power bats are all right handed. The starting ptiching is atrocious except for Gallardo and Wolf, and the bullpen has some promise but also needs an overhaul. After the last three years you’d think management would stop trying to skimp on the pitching…
What’s amazing is how all of Melvin’s pitching moves have ended up not working out since this past off-season. Hoffman has completely fallen off since last season, Hawkins has been hurt, Wolf has been slightly better lately after a terrible start, and Davis was bad and then hurt. Not all his fault, but at some point the GM has to be held accountable.