The Official San Diego Padres Thread! Whoo Ya!

http://www.nctimes.com/sports/baseb...cle_2a28e963-9f1c-5e5d-ba54-72ee5bf21788.html


By DAN HAYES - dhayes@nctimes.com | Posted: Monday, December 7, 2009 10:50 pm |



The year of Gwynn continued on Monday, when the Padres named Chris Gwynn their director of player personnel. Gwynn, who finished a 10-year playing career with the Padres in 1996, has been a professional scout with the team since 2006 and was originally hired in 1998.
The Padres also promoted former baseball researcher and advance scout Josh Stein to director of baseball operations and announced the hiring of former player Dave Roberts as a special assistant to baseball operations.

 

http://www.nctimes.com/sports/baseb...cle_a7ebce68-dc3f-5dde-bd75-3e4970ba01e1.html

Third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff was a hot topic at baseball's winter meetings on Tuesday, but the Padres might be closer to determining the fate of starting pitcher Kevin Correia.
While Kouzmanoff was prominently involved in rumored deals with the San Francisco Giants and Minnesota Twins, Correia's agent, Barry Axelrod, held a "productive" 45-minute meeting with general manager Jed Hoyer in Indianapolis and headed home with a contract offer.
Both Correia and Kouzmanoff ---- along with relievers Heath Bell and Mike Adams ---- are eligible for salary arbitration and due for a raise, meaning the Padres must determine what to do with those players by Saturday or they'll become free agents.

 

http://www.signonsandiego.com/weblogs/padres/2009/dec/08/giants-seeking-kouzmanoff/


INDIANAPOLIS - The first rumor of a Padre trade out of the Winter Meetings involves third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff.
The Giants are said to be interested in Kouzmanoff, although the Padres are not interested in the Giants reported first offer – left-handed hitting outfielder Fred Lewis and middle infielder Kevin Frandsen.

 

http://www.nctimes.com/sports/baseb...cle_26ddebbe-c15b-597b-a157-7691fba85309.html

ESPN's Jason Stark reported via Twitter that one source said the Padres were "aggressively" trying to move 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff.

Must be thinking of moving Headley back to third base.

 

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/dec/09/1s9padres/

Padres 3rd baseman Kouzmanoff creating a buzz


Even with salary arbitration, Kouzmanoff’s ceiling is somewhere between $3 million and $5 million for 2010. And it would be only a one-season commitment.

 

http://www.nctimes.com/sports/baseb...cle_30c628d1-569a-5f56-9e46-7ac3d686ad3f.html


PADRES: Correia agrees to $3.6 million deal


SAN DIEGO ---- The Padres and pitcher Kevin Correia agreed to terms on a last-minute deal worth $3.6 million on Saturday night.
Had the Padres not signed Correia ---- or at least offered him arbitration ---- by 9 p.m., he would have become a free agent though team sources said the Grossmont High alum would have been traded to another team if a deal couldn't be reached. The Padres also offered arbitration to third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff and relievers Heath Bell and Mike Adams.

This is good because we can't count on Chris Young staying healthy. I like Kouz, and Adams as well. I am just not a big Health Bell fan. Some of things that come out of his pie hole.

 

Adrian may have come to the same conclusion that Jake did allowing his trade to Chicago, that the Padres are going take next few years to get this turned around. As the Yankees spend more money, there will be even more pressure on Boston to make this deal happen.

 

http://www.nctimes.com/sports/baseb...cle_0d1e2241-3926-5739-a90a-9d7027a115a8.html

PADRES: Kouz's other trade value extends to garage

Working at garage helps Padres' Kouzmanoff shake off trade rumors


SAN DIEGO ---- You won't find Kevin Kouzmanoff sitting around this offseason. Awaiting a pay hike that will make him several million dollars richer, the Padres' third baseman has taken on a second job.
Kouzmanoff is the designated plasma cutter at Precision Off-Road Engineering on Mission Gorge Road. And he hasn't just been shooting the breeze with employees and others who frequent the off-road racing garage.
Kouzmanoff, who isn't paid for his work, is highly involved with welding, building custom bumpers and doing just about anything he's asked.

I have not read this yet, but I will tonight. My wife's grandmother that lives with us is a huge padres fan, and said it was a great article.

 

http://www.nctimes.com/sports/baseb...cle_f55f9886-f1f5-5197-b535-7d2909022587.html

We are thrilled to bring Jaron back to the Padres," general manager Jed Hoyer said in a press release. "He developed a sterling reputation in his years with San Diego for his evaluation skills and work ethic. Jason (McLeod) and I are both excited to have him leading our amateur scouting efforts." In other team news, the Padres reportedly expressed interest in free agent Coco Crisp, who would fill the team's need for a right-handed hitting outfielder. Crisp's agent, Steve Comte, told MLB.com on Thursday that the two sides have talked and the veteran outfielder "sees a real fit" with the Padres. Comte didn't return a call seeking comment Friday, and Hoyer hasn't returned several calls and emails seeking comment.

 

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/dec/16/red-sox-could-be-targeting-gonzalez/

Padres General Manager Jed Hoyer recently said he expects Adrian Gonzalez to be at first base when the 2010 season starts in April.
But are the Boston Red Sox positioning themselves for another run at the two-time National League All-Star and Gold Glove winner?
The Red Sox’s signing of pitcher John Lackey and center fielder Mike Cameron yesterday have left the American League East power with a surplus at both positions – and an apparent hole at a corner if they complete a trade that would send third baseman Mike Lowell to Texas.

 

http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/news...ent_id=7889874&vkey=news_sd&fext=.jsp&c_id=sd

Padres give Minors contract to Worrell

Reliever missed all of 2009 recovering from elbow surgeries

 

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/jan/05/1s5padres/

Padres expanding scouting department

By Bill Center, UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at 12:01 a.m.
The Padres are adding six scouts, essentially expanding their amateur scouting department by more than 40 percent.
“We want to put more scouting manpower in the areas that produce the most players,” Assistant General Manager Jason McLeod said yesterday.
“We want to get more looks and more information on high school and college players before the draft.
“It was clear to me from afar last year that the Padres were understaffed at the area scout and cross-checking levels. And hopefully, this is just a start.”


This is a great sign for the future.

 

Edgar Gonzalez, Adrian's brother has signed to play baseball in Japan. The Padres signed another minor league catcher today as well. I can't recall the name.

 

http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/news...ent_id=7893912&vkey=news_sd&fext=.jsp&c_id=sd

Padres inquire about lefty Lowry

Hurler looking to come back from rib removal


SAN DIEGO -- A year ago, the Padres struck gold with a San Francisco Giants castoff.
Could that happen again in 2010?
The Padres are one of several teams who have shown an interest and requested medical records on left-handed starting pitcher Noah Lowry, who hasn't pitched since the 2007 season because of injuries.

 

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/jan/08/japans-giants-sign-former-padres-2b-gonzalez/

TOKYO — Former San Diego Padres second baseman Edgar Gonzalez has signed with the Yomiuri Giants of Japan's Central League.

 

http://www.nctimes.com/sports/baseb...cle_560d3e3f-de55-5ce4-8e9d-f9c19ab395f9.html

PADRES: Hoyer still has toe in free-agent pool


With 41 shopping days left until spring training begins ---- pitchers report to the team's Peoria, Ariz., site on Feb. 18 ---- general manager Jed Hoyer said the Padres are "very" active in free agency. Though the Padres don't have loads of cash to spend, sources have indicated that they do have a modest $5 million to $8 million to improve the team.
With their needs centered on a veteran pitcher, a right-handed-hitting outfielder, a utility man and possibly another catcher, the Padres are in discussions with both Randy Winn and Jerry Hairston Jr., sources said. They're also believed to have interest in 41-year-old catcher Brad Ausmus, though it might be limited because of his age.

 

Rumor is the Padres may have put in an offer for Jermaine Dye.

 

http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/news...ent_id=7914292&vkey=news_sd&fext=.jsp&c_id=sd

Padres have some interest in Dye

Outfielder hit 27 home runs last year with the White Sox

SAN DIEGO -- Free agent outfielder Jermaine Dye, a right-handed hitting power threat, has floated onto the Padres' offseason radar.
According to a source on Wednesday, the Padres have expressed interest in Dye, who turns 36 on Jan. 28.

 

http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/news...ent_id=7925900&vkey=news_sd&fext=.jsp&c_id=sd

Padres deal Kouz to A's for outfielders

San Diego reportedly set to receive Hairston, Cunningham

SAN DIEGO -- The Padres and A's have reportedly reached agreement on a deal that would send San Diego third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff and a Minor League player to Oakland for outfielders Aaron Cunningham and former Padre Scott Hairston.
San Diego general manager Jed Hoyer didn't immediately comment on the report, but Hairston told MLB.com that he received a call Friday afternoon from Kouzmanoff saying he had been traded to the A's.



I hate losing Kouz very nice guy and a very good third basemen. I like getting back Scott Hariston in the trade though.

 

http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/news...ent_id=7926380&vkey=news_sd&fext=.jsp&c_id=sd


Hairston's return to SD 'a dream come true'

Trade brings back outfielder; Headley slated for third

As it turns out, the elder Hairston was wrong.
In the first major trade of first-year general manager Jed Hoyer's tenure, the Padres sent third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff and Minor League second baseman Eric Sogard to the A's for Hairston and Minor League outfielder Aaron Cunningham.
The trade isn't official yet and Hoyer didn't answer a request to comment on the trade.
Hairston, reached by phone from his home in Arizona, said Friday that Kouzmanoff had contacted him earlier in the day and said he was being traded to the A's. Hairston, at that point, was happy to have his friend coming to the A's.

 

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/jan/17/petco-played-factor-hairstons-return/

Plus, trading Kouzmanoff moves Chase Headley to his natural position of third base and opens a full-time spot for Kyle Blanks in left.
And finding a right-handed-hitting center fielder who could spell left-handed hitters Tony Gwynn (center) and Will Venable (right) had topped Hoyer’s shopping list.
With Hairston back and up to $7 million still in the budget, Hoyer yesterday said signing a veteran pitcher moves ahead of finding a backup catcher and a utility middle infielder among his priorities.
Hoyer said trade talks with the A’s regarding Hairston and Kouzmanoff dated back to the Winter Meetings and heated up over the past 10 days.

 

I think with Scott back and Tony Jr we will have some better spark on this team, and they will be fun to watch.

 

http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/news...ent_id=7930512&vkey=news_sd&fext=.jsp&c_id=sd

Hairstons may be united with Padres

Jerry nearing deal in wake of Scott's recent reacquisition

A report on FOXSports.com on Sunday indicated that Jerry Hairston Jr., the older brother of recently reacquired outfielder Scott Hairston, could be close to a deal with the Padres worth $2 million.

Jerry Hairston, who is 33 and four years older than his brother, has been a free-agent target of the Padres this offseason.
In fact, the Padres were talking to him and the agent that he and his brother share, Casey Close, about a deal to be the right-handed outfield bat that they needed.

 

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/jan/19/second-hairston-put-roster-more-duties-scout-smith/

Hoyer yesterday reached a one-season contract agreement with versatile Jerry Hairston Jr. and extended the responsibilities of international scout Randy Smith to include being the club’s director of player development.

While Smith will continue his work in Latin America and with the Padres facility in the Dominican Republic, he said he will do less scouting work in Japan, Australia and the major leagues.

 

We need speed in the outfield at Petco, for there is so much ground to cover and for base running as well.

 

I think will be doing this a lot more bro. they have added scouts, and Jed is getting what he needs. I give it three years and we will have a great farm system.

 

From what my memory serves me brother Mark is on his own and is not with the Padres any longer. This could change but I don't recall any news on Mark of recent. The padres are looking for a veteran pitcher now. I think they have around 4-5 million to spend I believe.

 

http://www.nctimes.com/sports/baseb...cle_e045d218-538e-5261-9cd9-cf3ff313b472.html


PADRES: Headley excited to return to infield

Kouzmanoff trade sends Padres left fielder back to third base



SAN DIEGO ---- Chase Headley has had a fulfilling offseason featuring travel, hunting and an appearance at teammate Nick Hundley's wedding.
But the highlight was a phone call from manager Bud Black late last week in which he was informed that he will be the Padres' third baseman next season. A byproduct of the trade of Kevin Kouzmanoff to the Oakland A's on Friday is that Headley will be moved from left field, his home for the last two seasons, back to his original position at the hot corner.

 

http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/news...ent_id=7940778&vkey=news_sd&fext=.jsp&c_id=sd

Padres, Adams find common ground

Pitcher avoids arbitration, heading to Spring Training healthy

The Padres and Adams, their arbitration-eligible reliever, reached middle ground on the first day figures could be exchanged between teams and players.
Adams will earn $1 million in 2010, a sizable salary bump from the $414,800 that he made last season. Adams was seeking $1.2 million with a club offer of $875,000.
The Padres weren't able to get a deal done with newly acquired outfielder Scott Hairston, who is their only other arbitration-eligible player.

 

http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/news...ent_id=7965686&vkey=news_sd&fext=.jsp&c_id=sd

Loretta retires, joins Padres' front office

Longtime infielder to be special asst. in baseball operations

SAN DIEGO -- On his first official day of retirement, former Major League infielder Mark Loretta landed a job in the Padres' front office.
Loretta, who played for five teams over a 15-year career, will join the Padres as a special assistant to the baseball operations staff.
"It was a culmination of several things ... a lot of things came together to make me feel as if it was time," Loretta said. "I knew [general manager] Jed [Hoyer] in Boston and being able to come back to the Padres was a draw.

 

http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/news...ent_id=7970956&vkey=news_sd&fext=.jsp&c_id=sd
Garland rounding out the rotation

Free-agent right-hander agrees to contract with Padres

A source confirmed Tuesday that the Padres had reached a deal with Garland, pending a physical. The contract is for one year plus a mutual option. FoxSports.com reported that Garland will receive $5.3 million for 2010, then $6.75 million or a $600,000 buyout for 2011.
Garland, 30, went 11-13 last season with a 4.01 ERA between six starts with the Los Angeles Dodgers and 27 with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Garland has a career record of 117-102 with a 4.42 ERA over a 10-year career in the Major Leagues.