San Diego Padres News

Torrealba remains in NL West, signs with Padres
Comment
February 7
InsideTheRockies.com
 
"The question of where Yorvit Torrealba would finally land has been answered, and Colorado Rockies fans who will miss their former starting catcher should have plenty of opportunities to see him play. After rejecting a reported offer from the Rockies for two years and $5.6 million, Torrealba has signed a one-year contract worth $1.25 million with the San Diego Padres. After failing to bridge the gap between what the Rockies were offering and what Torrealba wanted, the team moved and signed Miguel Olivo to a one-year deal."
Hoyer setting a fresh course
Comment
February 6
San Diego Union-Tribune
 columnist Nick Canepa
"Jed Hoyer grew up in small-town New Hampshire, the son of a country doctor, the only physician in a 40-mile radius. If you're an Americana buff, we may be talking the kind of doc you've read about, at times working for chickens and apple pies in lieu of cash. The stuff of Norman Rockwell. But there always was baseball in Hoyer's life. The family would vacation in Florida during spring training. He remembers longing to see the Dodgers' famed facility in Vero Beach, only to find it a dump. "Really disappointing." And so the son went on to play the game at Wesleyan College, where he still holds the school's saves record, before joining the other whiz kids in the Boston Rex Sox organization. ..."
Torrealba, Padres agree to one-year contract
Comment
February 6
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Catcher Yorvit Torrealba is a Padre pending the completion of a physical examination next week. The Padres and the 31-year-old free agent apparently agreed to a one-year contract that will guarantee the nine-year veteran $1.25 million. Torrealba would get a $750,000 base salary this season with a $3.5 million mutual option for 2011 with a $500,000 buyout. Torrealba reached the major leagues with San Francisco and played the past four seasons with Colorado. He reportedly became a free agent after turning down a two-year, $6 million offer from the Rockies. He hit .291 last season with two homers and 31 RBI in 213 at-bats while starting 61 games."
Padres, Torrealba agree on 1-year deal
Comment
February 5
ESPN.com
 
"Yorvit Torrealba, one of the few remaining free agent catchers, has agreed to a one-year, $1.25 million deal with the San Diego Padres. Torrealba will play for a $750,000 salary this season, and will receive a $500,000 buyout if the Padres and the catcher don't exercise a mutual option on him for 2011, for $3.5 million. Torrealba, 31, hit .291 for the Colorado Rockies last season, with two homers and 31 RBIs, and had numerous hits in big spots down the stretch; with runners in scoring position, Torrealba hit .477 during the 2009 season."
Jed Hoyer: Adrian Gonzalez isn't a goner yet
Comment
February 5
Boston Herald
 
"San Diego general manager Jed Hoyer understands completely that it is always wiser to have more options than fewer. So the day after John Boggs, the agent of Adrian Gonzalez and Padres CEO Jeff Moorad each indicated to the San Diego Union-Tribune that a trade of Gonzalez looked more likely than a contract extension, Hoyer kept his choices at the maximum. He indicated it's too early to assume anything about anyone. "The team's position with regard to Adrian has not changed at all," said Hoyer in an e-mail to the Herald. "We are excited to have him under contract for the next two seasons. He is a great player who fits our city, team and payroll remarkably well. We have had, and will continue ..."
Rays claim relief pitcher Mike Ekstrom off waivers from Padres
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February 4
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Rays added some depth to their bullpen for this season, and a potential key piece for the future, in claiming right-hander Mike Ekstrom off waivers from San Diego. Ekstrom, 26, hasn't fared well in limited major-league exposure (0-2, 6.75 ERA in 20 games over two seasons), but he is coming off an excellent showing at Triple-A Portland in his first full season as a reliever: 4-2, 1.73 in 621/3 innings over 42 games, with 43 strikeouts, 16 walks and a .202 opponents average. A 12th-round pick in 2004, Ekstrom throws in the low 90s with a hard slider. With two minor-league options remaining, Ekstrom seems likely targeted for Triple-A Durham to start this season, leaving open the ..."
Sentimental value only
Comment
February 4
Boston Globe
 
"A reader from California named Jordan e-mailed today regarding Adrian Gonzalez and said he sympathized with the fans in San Diego who could lose their first baseman. His wife, he said, has owned t-shirts bearing the number of Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez and now has Jonathan Papelbon "Sorry, but I have secured his future as the replacement for Mariano in the Bronx in 2012," Jordan joked. That got me thinking. How many of us own jerseys or t-shirts celebating a player who has since been traded or left the team we root for? When I moved in December, I left behind two perfectly good Patriots jerseys in a Goodwill bin back in New York: Mike Vrabel and Richard Seymour."
Adrian Gonzalez still in play
Comment
February 4
Boston Herald
 
"With chatter increasing that the Twins and catcher Joe Mauer are close to striking a long-term agreement, the odds of a similar deal for another Red Sox object of interest - Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez - grow longer. In an interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune, Padres CEO Jeff Moorad did not sound optimistic about the team's ability to retain Gonzalez, who can become a free agent after the 2011 season. "While I'd be thrilled to have him part of the organization for the long term, the early signals indicate his cost will be greater than our ability to pay," Moorad said. Assuming those signals do not change, the Padres are expected to entertain serious trade offers by the July ..."
Report: Torrealba on verge of deal with Padres, not Mets
Comment
February 4
New York Post
 
"Free-agent catcher Yorvit Torrealba is likely to sign with the Padres, not the Mets, according to ESPN. ESPN reporter Buster Olney writes on his Twitter page, "Heard this: The Padres are on the verge of a deal with catcher Yorvit Torrealba on a one-year (contract)." Olney previously reported that Torrealba wanted to get the Mets to negotiate, but the team claimed it didn't have the money to sign him."
Padres near deal with catcher Torrealba
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February 3
MLB.com
 
"The Padres' roster construction continues as Spring Training approaches. The newest addition appears to be free agent catcher Yorvit Torrealba, who is close to being signed to a one-year contract, a source said on Wednesday. The Padres were hopeful that they could sign a veteran catcher to spell Nick Hundley on occasion. They acquired Dusty Ryan from Detroit in December and were prepared to go to Spring Training with him as the backup. But in Torrealba, they will get a veteran who has appeared in 574 Major League games over a nine-year career and someone who knows the National League West Division well. Torrealba, 31, is a career .255 hitter who hit .291 in 64 games last season with ..."
Padres reach one-year deal with Scott Hairston
Comment
February 3
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Jed Hoyer is batting a thousand when it comes to one aspect of his job. The Padres' new general manager reached a one-season contract agreement with outfielder Scott Hairston Tuesday to resolve the last arbitration-eligible case facing the Padres. Hairston received $2.45 million from the Padres. The 29-year-old outfielder would have been seeking $2.9 million had his case gone to the arbitrator. The Padres were countering with a $2.1 million offer. The Padres entered the off-season with four arbitration-eligible players — third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff and pitchers Heath Bell, Kevin Correia and Mike Adams."
Padres brass faces fan questions
Comment
January 29
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Negotiating a question-and-answer session with fans can be like walking through a minefield for owners of professional sports teams. Usually, fans want more than the owner has delivered. Despite that, Padres CEO Jeff Moorad faced 3,500 Padres faithful last night during an open house at Petco Park. It didn't take long for Moorad to face a broadside. Referring specifically to Adrian Gonzalez, a fan wondered "how about keeping the talent we have so they're not out the door like they usually are." Moorad didn't hesitate. "I understand what it is like to root for individual players," said the club owner who grew up pulling for Willie Mays. "But you have to focus on the name on the front of the ..."
Padres hang hopes on high-priced Garland
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January 27
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"The Padres made their most significant acquisition of the off-season Tuesday when they signed free-agent pitcher Jon Garland — a proven major league starter still in the prime of his career. Garland, 30, had a combined 11-13 record with a 4.01 ERA last year with Arizona and the Los Angeles Dodgers while working more than 200 innings for the fifth time in the past six seasons. Garland is scheduled to make $4.7 million this season, but is actually guaranteed $5 million, making him the second-highest-paid Padre behind fellow right-handed starting pitcher Chris Young ($6.25 million)."
Retired Loretta rejoins Padres, in front office
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January 26
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Mark Loretta, who had the best two seasons of his career in San Diego, rejoined the Padres yesterday as a special assistant to baseball operations after announcing his retirement as a player. Loretta, 38, played for the Padres from 2003 through 2005. He hit .314 as a Padre, with 506 hits, 91 doubles, 32 homers and 186 RBI in 413 games with a .377 on-base percentage and a .438 slugging percentage. His time with the Padres was capped by a breakout season in 2004, when he hit .335 with career highs in hits (208), doubles (47), homers (16), RBI (76), runs scored (108), batting average, on-base percentage (. 391) and slugging percentage (. 495). He was voted onto the National League All-Star ..."
Padres adding Matt Stairs
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January 24
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Veteran left-handed hitter Matt Stairs is joining the Padres with a minor league contract that includes an invitation to spring training. Stairs, who will be 42 in February, will serve the Padres as a pinch-hitter and a designated hitter for interleague games if he makes the major league club. Stairs hit .199 with five homers and 17 RBI in 103 at-bats over 99 games last season for Philadelphia. Stairs' 62 at-bats as a pinch-hitter tied for the fourth most in the National League."
Prospects abound in Padres pipeline
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January 23
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"The arrival of Kyle Blanks, Mat Latos, Will Venable, Tim Stauffer and Wade LeBlanc last season showed there is more in the Padres farm system than disappointment. But the mass injection of prospects in 2009 also eliminated the amount of minor league talent immediately knocking on the Padres door. No rookie is expected to make a major impact this spring. Still, there are now prospects moving through the San Diego system with both the draft and the Latin America effort showing results. Based on results, potential and proximity to the major leagues, here is a consensus of the Padres' top prospects: 1. Simon Castro (RHP, 19): Some view the Dominican Republic product as moving along quickly ..."
Padres will underwrite military events at Open
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January 20
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"The Padres and Century Club of San Diego will announce today that they have entered into a partnership that will have the baseball team underwriting military appreciation activities during next week's PGA Tour Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Century Club Chairman Tom Wornham said yesterday that Padres leadership stepped up to help after Wornham made an appeal to local business leaders before the San Diego event landed Farmers Insurance as its title sponsor Monday. "This is really nice for the Padres to step up in a big way for us," Wornham said. "It's been a good week." In recent years, the tournament at Torrey Pines has featured a military pavilion that allows military members and ..."
Padres' Adams back, healthy
Comment
January 20
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"For the first time since the winter of 2005-06, Mike Adams is approaching a baseball season in good health. "I've been throwing since Dec. 2 and I feel really good," the right-handed reliever said yesterday after agreeing to a $1 million, one-season contract with the Padres that avoided the possibility of arbitration. The 31-year-old Adams reached an agreement just before the Padres and the pitcher were to exchange contract numbers. The agreement with Adams leaves recently acquired outfielder Scott Hairston as the only Padre still facing arbitration. The Padres earlier reached agreements with pitchers Kevin Correia and Heath Bell and traded their only other arbitration-eligible player, ..."
Second Hairston put on Padres roster; more duties for scout Smith
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January 19
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Jed Hoyer didn't make many headlines in his first three months as Padres general manager. But he's made up for it the past week. 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. The Padres are signing Jerry Hairston Jr., 33, just three days after acquiring his younger brother, Scott Hairston, 29, from Oakland in a trade that sent popular third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff to the A's. "In one person, Jerry almost provides a bench," said Hoyer, alluding to the six positions Hairston played last season for Cincinnati and the New ..."
Padres close to signing another Hairston
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January 18
Foxsports.com
 columnist Ken Rosenthal
"Free-agent infielder Jerry Hairston Jr. is closing on a one-year contract with the Padres, according to a major-league source. The deal is expected to pay Hairston more than $2 million, the source said. Hairston, 33, will be united with his brother Scott, 29, who was re-acquired by the Padres in a trade with the A's this week."
Weiner Whacks Marlins; Pirates next?
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January 18
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"One down, three or four to go. Michaell Weiner, in his first venture as head of the players union, successfully wrestled the Florida Marlins to baseball's financial mat and is prepared to take on similarly recalcitrant revenue-sharing rogues. No other Florida-like agreements have been reached and none apparently will be sought until after April 1, the deadline for revenue-sharing recipients to report on their use of the 2009 money. But the Pirates, the Rays, the Padres and the Royals remain in the union's sights, according to union and management representatives. Weiner, who succeeded Donald Fehr last month as the union's executive director, declined to discuss the matter Saturday, ..."
Petco played factor in Hairston's return
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January 17
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Upon becoming the general manager of the Padres 3½ months ago, Jed Hoyer said he wanted to build a team to fit Petco Park. The spaciousness of the Padres home puts a premium on speed, defense and pitching. But it also favors right-handed pull hitters - especially those who enjoy Petco Park. Which partially explains why outfielder Scott Hairston is returning. Hairston is a career .288 hitter at Petco Park with 19 homers and 49 RBI in just 344 at-bats at the downtown facility. On the other hand, third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff has a career .239 average at Petco Park with 25 homers and 106 RBI in 787 at-bats. Last season, Kouzmanoff hit .220 with nine homers and 36 RBI in what was then his ..."
A's complete trade for Kouzmanoff
Comment
January 17
Oakland Tribune
 
"No sooner had third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff entered the A's fold Saturday than he was heaping praise upon the man he figures to be replacing on more than a part-time basis. Eric Chavez "has actually been one of my favorite players to watch," Kouzmanoff said after his acquisition from the San Diego Padres officially had been completed, finishing the A's search for a third baseman. "I've admired him for a long time. I've loved his game, and loved watching him play." What the A's would love just as much would be watching Kouzmanoff and Chavez playing on the same infield at the same time. General manager Billy Beane, who sent outfielders Scott Hairston and Aaron Cunningham to the Padres for ..."
A's close to inking deal for Padres' Kouzmanoff
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January 16
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Third base was Oakland's primary unknown going into camp next month, but on Friday evening, the team was close to swinging a deal for San Diego's Kevin Kouzmanoff and a prospect. Images View Larger Image Oakland AthleticsAthletics HomeThe Drumbeat BlogSchedule | Roster Standings | Stats MLBPlayers | Scoreboard Stats | Teams Fan ZoneReader PhotosFan ForumsBuy TicketsFan Shop Get your A's gear here More AthleticsA's close to inking deal for Padres' Kouzmanoff 01.15.10A's close to inking deal for Padres' Kouzmanoff 01.16.10McGwire turns steroids admission into denial 01.14.10McGwire saga shows that big guys always win 01.13.10Outfielder Scott Hairston, acquired from the Padres in July, is ..."
Bell, Padres come to terms, avoid arbitration
Comment
January 15
MLB.com
 
"Leading the National League in saves and being named to an All-Star team has served Padres' closer Heath Bell well -- both on the field and financially. According to a source, the Padres are expected to announce -- possibly as early as Friday -- that they have agreed with Bell on a one-year deal worth $4 million, avoiding any chance of an arbitration hearing with the reliever. The $4 million is a substantial raise over the $1.255 million Bell received a year ago. Bell replaced the popular Trevor Hoffman as closer in 2009 and lead the NL in saves (42), going 6-4 with a 2.71 ERA in 68 games. He did not allow a run over his first 17 innings, spanning 16 games from April 7 to May 20. His first ..."
Heath Bell agrees to one-year deal
Comment
January 15
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"The Padres have avoided arbitration with closer Heath Bell, agreeing to a one-year contract with the National League saves leader for $4 million in 2010, according to a club official who asked not to be identified. The 32-year-old Bell, a National League All-Star for the first time last season, was 6-4 with 42 saves and a 2.71 earned run average in 68 appearances last season, his first as a closer. Bell made $1.255 million in 2009. After serving as the set-up man for Trevor Hoffman in his first two seasons with the Padres, Bell took over the closer's role last season after the all-time saves leader signed with the Milwaukee Brewers as a free agent. Bell successfully converted 42 of 48 save ..."
Bell, Padres come to terms, avoid arbitration
Comment
January 15
MLB.com
 
"Leading the National League in saves and being named to an All-Star team has served Padres' closer Heath Bell well -- both on the field and financially. According to a source, the Padres are expected to announce -- possibly as early as Friday -- that they have agreed with Bell on a one-year deal worth $4 million, avoiding any chance of an arbitration hearing with the reliever. The $4 million is a substantial raise over the $1.255 million Bell received a year ago. Bell replaced the popular Trevor Hoffman as closer in 2009 and lead the NL in saves (42), going 6-4 with a 2.71 ERA in 68 games. He did not allow a run over his first 17 innings, spanning 16 games from April 7 to May 20. His first ..."
Padres have some interest in Dye
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January 14
MLB.com
 
"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. The source characterized the team's interest in Dye, who has 325 career home runs in 14 Major League seasons, as "low on likelihood." The name is intriguing because of Dye's power. He has averaged 31 homers over the past six seasons and hit 27 home runs last year with the Chicago White Sox to go with a .340 on-base percentage. Dye is a career .287 hitter against left-handed pitching. Padres general manager Jed Hoyer has maintained since taking the job in October that he ..."
Chicago Cubs still like Heath Bell
Comment
January 11
Chicago Tribune
 
"According to sources, the Cubs are kicking the tires again on Padres closer Heath Bell, as they did at the winter meetings. He would strengthen the bullpen, but Lou Piniella would be back to juggling two would-be closers in Bell and Carlos Marmol, who went 11-for-11 in save situations after Piniella gave him the job. ... The Brewers are thrilled with shortstop Alcides Escobar. He got to the big leagues with his glove and all-around game, prompting the trade of J.J. Hardy to the Twins for Carlos Gomez, and recently won a Venezuelan League batting title by hitting .393 over 45 games. He stole 16 bases and used his speed to get 12 extra-base hits. ..."
Padres inquire about lefty Lowry
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January 9
MLB.com
 
"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. Lowry's agent, Damon Lapa, said Friday that Lowry will throw for teams in a private audition later this month in Arizona. Lapa said that he wouldn't take any offers for his client before that session. "I think it's safe to say Noah would be open to the possibility of pitching for the Padres," Lapa said. "... San Diego would not be a difficult sell for us." That's because Lowry once lived in ..."
Padres give Minors contract to Worrell
Comment
January 8
MLB.com
 
"Pitcher Mark Worrell, who was believed to be the key piece to the Khalil Greene trade one year ago, signed a Minor League contract Thursday to remain with the Padres. Worrell missed all of the 2009 season after having Tommy John surgery on March 25 to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. Worrell, who on July 21 had ulnar nerve transposition surgery, has been undergoing his rehabilitation at the Padres' Spring Training facility in Arizona. The Padres think that he can start throwing in Spring Training and return sometime this summer. Worrell was acquired by the Padres with a player to be named -- who ended up as rookie Luke Gregerson -- from the Cardinals on Dec. 4, ..."
Padres in no rush to move Bell
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January 7
Foxsports.com
 
"The Padres' Heath Bell remains attractive to teams in need of late-inning relievers, particularly now that most of the free-agent closer are signed. Whether the Padres will trade Bell is another story. Three or four teams are interested in Bell, but the Padres "are not really looking to do anything with him at this point," according to a major-league source. Bell, 32, remains affordable to the Padres, even though his salary will jump from $1.255 million to the $3 million to $4 million range in his second year of arbitration. The Padres likely will find even greater interest in Bell at the July 31 non-waiver deadline – provided, of course, that Bell remains healthy and effective for a ..."
Ex-Padre Gonzalez set to sign in Japan
Comment
January 7
MLB.com
 
"The Yomiuri Giants, defending champions of the Japan Series, appear set to sign second baseman Edgar Gonzalez, who has spent the past two seasons with the San Diego Padres. The imminent deal was reported by Japan's Kyodo News. Gonzalez, 31, is the older brother of Padres star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. While the younger Gonzalez was the first player taken overall in the 2000 First-Year Player Draft by Florida, his older brother spent eight years in the Minors with several different organizations before making his big league debut with the Padres in 2008."
Padres looking to sign a couple of players
Comment
January 7
MLB.com
 
"It's beginning to look as though first-year Padres general manager Jed Hoyer has correctly gauged the free-agent market. Now he's probably hoping everyone else hasn't. "I think the offseason has developed as we had expected," Hoyer said. "For me it's similar to last year. It's been a fairly slow-moving offseason. There are still a lot of free agents on the market in January." The Padres, who have holes left to fill through free agency or trades, are a little more than five weeks away from the start of Spring Training. Yet there's little panic in Hoyer's voice. Hoyer is hoping that in January -- and, possibly, February -- that the asking price for some free agents will fall. With a payroll ..."
Padres expanding scouting department
Comment
January 5
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"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." The Padres will have 16 area scouts this season compared to 12 last year. And the national cross-checking staff has been doubled to four. In addition, McLeod said former Scouting ..."
The best team realistic money can buy, all for $80 million
Comment
January 2
USA Today
 columnist Paul White
"This team building is getting expensive.We've managed to assemble a formidable roster for Team 2009, USA TODAY Sports Weekly's annual exercise of creating a 25-man roster of the best players in their actual roles. But sticking to a realistic and responsible payroll was more difficult than it has been in several years. This is not an All-Star team, but a selection by USA TODAY baseball editors and reporters of a realistic roster, including 2009's best No. 1 starting pitcher, No. 2 starter, No. 3 starter, etc.; a bullpen with each role covered; a starting lineup; and a complete bench. Then, we pick a manger, hitting coach and pitching coach. To keep our choices as realistic as possible, we ..."
By waiting to trade Adrian Gonzales, Padres would get better value
Comment
December 28
Foxsports.com
 
"Yes, the Padres should trade Adrian Gonzalez. But not right now. Barring an injury or unforeseen production decline, Gonzalez's value will be very high at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. He will be as far from free agency then as Mark Teixeira was at the time of the Rangers-Braves blockbuster in 2007. And you may recall the Rangers' return in that deal included Elvis Andrus and Neftali Feliz. In order to trade Gonzalez now, Jed Hoyer would need to negotiate with general managers who can counter his (understandably) high demands by saying, "Why should I give you my three best prospects when I can keep them and sign Adam LaRoche, Hank Blalock or Russell Branyan to play first base?" Of ..."
Ryan brings depth to Padres
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December 22
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Jed Hoyer moved yesterday to strengthen the weakest position in the Padres system with his first trade as general manager. The Padres obtained 25-year-old catcher Dusty Ryan from Detroit in exchange for cash or a player to be selected by the Tigers from a list of Padres minor leaguers. Hoyer said that despite the addition of Ryan and the earlier signing of Chris Stewart to a minor league contract, the Padres could still be in the market for a veteran to back up Nick Hundley. "Catching is an area where we needed to add some depth," Hoyer said. The 2009 backup, Henry Blanco, signed with the Mets. Ryan, who appeared in 39 games for the Tigers over the past two seasons, and Hundley are the ..."
Tigers trade C Dusty Ryan to Padres
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December 21
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Detroit Tigers today traded catcher Dusty Ryan to the San Diego Padres for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Ryan played for the Tigers and Triple-A Toledo this past season. He batted .154 with four RBIs in 12 games with the Tigers and batted .257 with 10 home runs and 35 RBIs in 63 games with the Mud Hens. Ryan made his big-league debut with Detroit in 2008. He has made 22 career starts."
Tigers trade Triple-A catcher to Padres
Comment
December 21
Detroit News
 
"The Tigers addressed their overstocked catching cabinet Monday, trading Dusty Ryan to the Padres. Ryan, who spent most of last season at Triple-A Toledo, became expendable when the Tigers signed Robinzon Diaz to a minor league contract at the winter meetings this month. Diaz and Ryan were occupying the major league emergency catcher role behind Tigers starter Gerald Laird and backup Alex Avila. Ryan hit .257 with 10 homers and 35 RBIs in 63 games with Toledo in 2009, but just .154 with no homers and four RBIs in 12 games with the Tigers. That stint in the majors was a bit of disappointing surprise for the Tigers, after Ryan had hit .318 with a couple homers and seven RBIs in limited action ..."
By waiting, Padres would get better value
Comment
December 20
Foxsports.com
 columnist Jon Paul Morosi
"Yes, the Padres should trade Adrian Gonzalez. But not right now. Barring an injury or unforeseen production decline, Gonzalez's value will be very high at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. He will be as far from free agency then as Mark Teixeira was at the time of the Rangers-Braves blockbuster in 2007. And you may recall the Rangers' return in that deal included Elvis Andrus and Neftali Feliz. In order to trade Gonzalez now, Jed Hoyer would need to negotiate with general managers who can counter his (understandably) high demands by saying, "Why should I give you my three best prospects when I can keep them and sign Adam LaRoche, Hank Blalock or Russell Branyan to play first base?" Of ..."
Adding bat would put Red Sox on top
Comment
December 17
Boston Herald
 columnist Steve Buckley
"The Red Sox held a press conference at 11:30 yesterday morning to introduce outfielder Mike Cameron. At 1:30 p.m., they held a press conference to introduce pitcher John Lackey. Alas, there was no 3:30 p.m. press conference to introduce first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. And Gonzalez or no Gonzalez, the Red Sox did make some significant improvements with their side-by-side announcements that Cameron and Lackey have agreed to come to Boston. Lackey is the big pickup - a tough, veteran right-hander who won some big games with the Angels. Adding him to the rotation gives the Sox one of the best starting fives in baseball. "I was always interested in coming here," Lackey said. "Winning was ..."
Red Sox take aim at Adrian Gonzalez
Comment
December 16
Foxsports.com
 
"The Red Sox are not done yet. The team, set to announce the signings of free-agent right-hander John Lackey and center fielder Mike Cameron, is working hard to obtain Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, according to major-league sources. A deal is not close, and might not happen at all, sources said. Jed Hoyer, the Padres' new general manager -- and Red Sox's former assistant GM -- wants a high price for Gonzalez, whose contract is one of the biggest bargains in baseball. "Jed has been asking for a ton," one source said. Gonzalez, 27, is signed for $4.75 million next season with a $5.5 million club option for 2011. He hit 40 home runs last season despite playing his home games at ..."
Red Sox could be targeting Gonzalez
Comment
December 16
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"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. And the Padres are shopping for pitching, a center fielder and a catcher – which the Red Sox could acquire from the Rangers in a trade for Lowell. The Red Sox have ..."
Gonzalez deal may still work for Red Sox
Comment
December 15
Foxsports.com
 
"While a trade remains unlikely, Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez still would fit for the Red Sox. The addition of free-agent right-hander John Lackey could make righty Clay Buchholz expendable. The addition of free-agent outfielder Mike Cameron could make outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury expendable. Put Buchholz and Ellsbury in the same deal, and the Padres would grow tempted to move Gonzalez, according to major-league sources. But the Red Sox, one source says, do not have a deal in place for Gonzalez as they wait for Lackey and Cameron to pass their respective physicals. Another source says that he doubts the Red Sox would even include Buchholz and Ellsbury in the same trade. The Red Sox ..."
Lackey deal could open A-Gonz scenario for Sox
Comment
December 14
Foxsports.com
 
"One rival GM theorizes that if the Red Sox sign free-agent right-hander John Lackey, they then will lock up righty Josh Beckett long- term and trade righty Clay Buchholz in a package for Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. Under that scenario, first baseman Kevin Youkilis would move to third and the Sox would employ a Mike Cameron-Jeremy Hermida type platoon in left. The Sox's big investments would be Lackey and Beckett; Gonzalez will earn a club-friendly $4.75 million next season, and his deal includes a $5.5 million club option for 2011. Free agents Adrian Beltre, Matt Holliday and Jason Bay? All would be shut out in Boston."
Red Sox, Padres discussing Adrian Gonzalez
Comment
December 14
Boston Globe
 (scroll down)
"For the moment, discussions between the Red Sox and Padres concerning first baseman Adrian Gonzalez are going nowhere, according to a major league source. And it's for the obvious reason - compensation. Padres GM Jed Hoyer, certainly familiar with Boston's inventory, is asking for Clay Buchholz and righthanded pitching prospect Casey Kelly or outfielder Ryan Westmoreland. The Red Sox, at least for the time being, won't include Kelly or Westmoreland. With former Sox scouting director Jason McLeod now assisting Hoyer, the emphasis will be even more on trying to get Boston's best prospects."