"The Padres are a puzzle with at least one of the pieces missing.

If there's a money problem with Jeff Moorad's ownership group, it should have surfaced before his final payment reached the escrow account last month.

If there's a personality conflict in play, it should have played itself out somewhat earlier in a process now in its third year.

If there are some specific questions that were not brought to Bud Selig's attention until Jan. 6, it would be helpful if the commissioner could clarify exactly what needs to be clarified and why it took so long for these issues to arise.

If you add it all up, what you get is intrigue."