"Technically, Jeff Moorad has plenty of time. The final payment of his Padres' layaway plan is not due until March of 2014.

As a practical matter, however, Moorad may not want to wait that long. As a practical matter, Moorad should probably move forward much faster in his installment buyout of John Moores.

The primary reason is perception – the pervasive notion that an owner who is buying a team on time cannot afford to invest fully in its immediate future — and that's a perception Moorad desperately needs to debunk.

Secondarily, and sources are in conflict about its significance, is baseball's desire to consider the Padres' lucrative Fox Sports Net television contract with Moorad in place as the club's "control" person. "