The Padres' trade of reliever Ernesto Frieri to the Angels for two minor leaguers, including middle infielder Alexi Amarista, could signal major changes to come in the club's middle infield. Second baseman Orlando Hudson and shortstop Jason Bartlett are not a part of the club's long-term plans, team sources told Dan Hayes of the North County Times. Hayes adds that both could be released before the season is through.
Bartlett, 32, has a $5.5MM option for 2013 that vests with 432 plate appearances but San Diego could cut him loose before he reaches that point. Bartlett currently has made 71 PA in 22 games this season and has surpassed 432 PAs in each of the last five seasons.
Like Bartlett, Hudson is set to earn $5.5MM in 2012. The 34-year-old, off to a slow start this season, has an $8MM option for next season with a $2MM buyout. Hudson inked a two-year deal with the Padres in December 2010 and hit .246/.329/.352 for San Diego last year.
And just when I thought O-Dog was going to get a long term extension from them…
Too bad O-Dog has lost his bite at the plate when it counts. Dude can light up BP, though.
yea i figured an extension of about 10 years to age 60 was in order
didn’t know O-Dog was the same age as Jamie Moyer
Marco Scutaro was basically given away making the same salary as Bartlet and he is/was a useful SS/2b/utility IF. SD is going to have to release Bartlet, or eat nearly the entire amount to move him. he had -1- good season with Tampa, then somehow managed 2 years later to get that 11m deal from the Padres, a team not known for paying above what people are worth. Kind of amazing.
Cole Figueroa, one of the guys who went to the Rays in the Bartlett deal, would now be an interesting 2B prospect for the Friars. Hindsight is 20/20, but we definitely got the raw end of that deal.
I believe he’s [Figueroa] been playing more third base this year. Either way, the Padres didn’t give up too much, but it was still a bad deal.
Good call Mick, I didn’t realize he had been playing the hot corner. Either way, I would still take him developing in AAA and being versatile enough to play 2B than having Blow-Dog at the big league level.
Silver it’s the Rays who have a little better handle of paying players what they are worth, not the Padres. The Orioles were also the lucky ones in this matter. I really do think Andy MacPhail flipped a coin literally heads it’s Hardy, tails for Bartlett. Bartlett is not a bad player, but Hardy has the ability to light it up when healthy, Bartlett is just a solid player, not a game changer.
Don’t think got what I meant there, or I didn’t make myself clear. SD overpaid for Bartlet and has been on a few occasions since Towers left. Might be the new FO some trying to bring in veteran talent, but I wish they would do a better job of picking and choosing which ones to bring in/maintain when they over spend on those types.
Bartlet is a prime example, the aging Hudson yet another. The type of player is fine (small ball) who should be able to hit in that park, but I would prefer to see them go after guys who have speed as well. those types are out there in that range.. I mention Crisp again.. He has been out there and is the perfect player for Petco.Nyjer Morgan who has had some issues with the Nationals and was almost given away. People who have multi skills.
You want speed? Last year, Hudson stole 19 bases, Bartlett stole 23.
Deven Marrero’s stock is dropping at ASU. Maybe the Padres can snag him with one of their comp picks or take a flier on him in rounds 2-3. May not hit for anything, but most think he could play SS in the big leagues right now.
Marrero’s stock is falling, but I unfortunately don’t think it will fall that far. He will probably still be a mid 1st round selection.
Gotta think that Street and Headley will be the next Padres getting new addresses.
Street I could see, but why Headley? I like Chase Headley.
Only because he makes too much money.
If you really like him, you’ll want to see him get the heck out of San Diego.
I thought Street would be the one heading to the Angels, still I don’t see him making the season in San Diego. Someone will need a bullpen arm and he will be gone. I just hope they can get someone of note for him.
With the Padres trying Gyorko at 2nd, I’m starting to think that Headley may be in their long term plans.
noooo really? ha
Is Trevor Hoffman still in their long term plans?
Probably yes since he is currently working for the organization
Yeah, I was thinking that Hoffman might want to come out of retirement, get 8 more saves and surpass Rivera again. Hoffmans’ 44 years old.
Revisionist history states, “Adrian Gonzalez should have won the 2010 MVP.”
Does this mean that the Padres are lowering payroll for next season? It looks like the Padres are copying the 2008 Marlins business model, ensuring that they are the lowest paid team in MLB.
Hopefully just re-allocating this wasted payroll to players who might actually contribute. $11 million here and the extra money from the TV deal and the Padres might just be able to sign a couple of mid tier free agents.
I’d like to check the facts on the TV deal, half of San Diego is still not able to watch the Padres on TV. Hopefully the O’Malley’s will purchase the team, they have a long history of being true owners.
I’m glad to hear that, not a fan or either guy. I hope Amarista gets a shot ASAP
O-dog should go to the cards since Descalso and Greene can’t hit and Schumaker isn’t that good at fielding.
The only problem there is that O-Dog is cooked.
Better then the others though. People thought Furcal was cooked and he’s doing pretty decent right now. Won’t hurt to take a flyer.
If padres really wanted him they could probably get Peavy back from White Sox for Headly
” I mention Crisp again.. He has been out there and is the perfect player
for Petco.Nyjer Morgan who has had some issues with the Nationals and
was almost given away. People who have multi skills.”
Unfortunately,neither of these guys play middle infield.
Besides,Maybin will be just fine and corner outfielders are plentiful in the Padres system.