San Diego Padres News

Padres focused on Latos' arm (and workload)
Comment
March 16
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Mat Latos is lightning on a leash. His stuff is electric, but not elastic, and could be subject to stringent rationing when the Padres start playing for keeps. This 22-year-old tattoo parlor bears the look of a future pitching ace and the burden of being watched like an ailing infant. He owns one of those young arms whose potential gives rise to both grandiose visions and special precautions. "I don't think there are hard and fast rules," General Manager Jed Hoyer said yesterday. "(But) we have to be very careful with our investments. "You look at guys who have been abused over time and you see the falloff later and you realize that often times that one magical season in their early 20s ..."
Pumped about Pads' young blood
Comment
March 16
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"More than preparing his team for the 2010 season, manager Bud Black is also using spring training as an opportunity to take a look at many of the younger players in the Padres system. Almost daily, Black has been going over to the minor league side of the Padres complex and grabbing two or three players for a cameo with the major league team. Several days ago, Black took a look at 19-year-old, third base prospect Edinson Rincon and Nigerian-born Babawande Olabisi, who is a raw mix of speed and power, in the same game. Other Single-A prospects such as outfielders Yefri Carvajal (who unfortunately was handed an intentional walk in his only at-bat with the major league club) and Brad Chalk, ..."
Padres' payroll will likely be lowest
Comment
March 15
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Six seasons after moving into Petco Park, the Padres could have the smallest payroll in the major leagues this year. The Padres are projecting a final payroll of about $42 million for the 2010 season, although the payroll for the 25 players on the Opening Day roster could be closer to $38.5 million. The Padres' final 2010 payroll will be roughly the same as it was in 2009. Major League Baseball last season computed the Padres' payroll at between $42,796,700 and $43,734,000 - the second-lowest in the major leagues. Only the Florida Marlins had a smaller payroll than the Padres last season at $36.8 million. But the Marlins have given out larger contracts to several key players as they ..."
Mound yields impressive view of Young, Bell
Comment
March 15
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Two key Padres pitchers took major steps forward yesterday as the Padres broke a four-game exhibition losing streak with a 5-3 win over the Cleveland Indians. Starter Chris Young, who is returning from elbow surgery, threw 69 pitches over 3 2/3 innings and allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four. Closer Heath Bell threw a perfect inning while using his new change-up on half his 12 pitches. "I liked what I saw from both," Padres manager Bud Black said. "Chris was consistently in the high 80s on velocity. That is good for him at this time in the spring and very encouraging. I liked his continued increase in stamina. "Some of his best stuff was in his last 20 ..."
Worrell feels fine after brief, scoreless outing
Comment
March 14
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"It was only a 10-pitch outing in the middle of a wild 31/2-hour spring training game. But for Padres reliever Mark Worrell, his appearance in the seventh inning yesterday marked a milestone. "Four days short of a year," Worrell said, speaking of the last time he pitched before having elbow reconstruction surgery last March 25. "Honestly, I wasn't nervous today. I've had a great team of doctors and trainers behind me. And I've worked really hard. A lot of people played a role. "So I've been looking forward to this." Worrell gave up a double in a scoreless inning as he returned to the mound with the same funky delivery he's used since shortly after being drafted by the Cardinals as a relief ..."
Speedy Padres revved on bases
Comment
March 14
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"In the course of one afternoon, the Padres yesterday stole six bases, successfully executed two hit-and-run plays yet saw their fastest player (Luis Durango) picked off once and thrown out trying to steal. And it wasn't that unusual for this spring. San Diego has become the Go-Go club of the Cactus League - hoping to create a weapon that will carry over into the regular season. "We want to press the running game this season," Padres manager Bud Black said recently - echoing a sentiment first expressed by Jed Hoyer the day he became the Padres' general manager last October. That message has now become the mantra of the Padres' spring training camp. From Day One, the running game has been ..."
Prickly start for Padres in Cactus
Comment
March 13
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"It's spring training. And it's early in spring training at that. So early that earlier this week, Padres manager Bud Black said it hasn't reached the mid-term stage when it comes to grading performance. "We're still doing open-book tests," Black said. Still, the Padres are not off to a good start. A day after prized offseason acquisition Jon Garland gave up four runs on three hits and three walks to the Cubs in 12/3 innings of a scheduled four-inning outing, projected No. 4 starter Clayton Richard yesterday gave up six runs on as many hits and four walks in two innings against the Texas Rangers. For the second straight day, the Padres fell behind by a lot early and lost. The 6-2 loss to ..."
Game report: Rangers 6, Padres 2
Comment
March 13
Dallas Morning News
 
"

Chris Davis' hot hitting continued, while Matt Harrison and Tommy Hunter had their longest outings of the spring Friday in the Rangers' victory over the San Diego Padres in Surprise, Ariz. Davis had three singles to extend his consecutive hits streak to eight before striking out looking in the sixth. "It was a ball, dude," Davis said. "I don't swing at balls anymore." He's hitting .550 this spring (11-for-20). "When you get out here, you want to have a comfortable feel in the box and you can worry about your timing down and see some pitches," Davis said. Harrison pitched three innings, allowing three hits and striking out two. Hunter also went three innings, surrendering two hits ..."

Garland's movement good, mechanics so-so
Comment
March 12
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Although his statistical line was bad, Jon Garland was happy. Scheduled to go four innings yesterday against the Chicago Cubs, Garland lasted only 12/3 innings and allowed four runs on three hits and three walks. But Garland and Padres manager Bud Black were happy with the movement on the right-handed starter's sinker. In fact, both believed some of his pitches might have fooled plate umpire Casey Moser. "He might have been," Black replied when asked if he felt Moser might have squeezed the strike zone on Garland. "Jon's misses were down. He had good action on the ball." "A few pitches were definitely missed," Garland said. "Pitches that were right there in the middle of the plate. ..."
Sources: Kevin Towers Joining Yankees
Comment
March 11
AOL.com
 
"Kevin Towers, the former Padres general manager, is joining the Yankees as a special assistant to general manager Brian Cashman, according to two major league sources. Towers willl start with the Yankees next week in Tampa after being introduced on Tuesday. He'll scout amateurs and professionals. Also, he'll be a sounding board to Cashman, a longtime friend. The Yankees will pay him $50,000, according to a Padres official, and the Padres will pay Towers more than $1 million in remaining salary. Towers, who was unavailable for comment, has said he'd like to become a GM again. The Padres have reached the playoffs in five of their 41 seasons. Four of those berths came within the 14-season ..."
Venable, Blanks swinging well
Comment
March 11
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Given the fact that no one plays a full game at this time of the year, Will Venable and Kyle Blanks both came within one hit of a spring training cycle the past two days. Both had a double and a triple Tuesday. Venable yesterday hit a three-run homer in the first inning of the Padres' 5-4 victory over Milwaukee in Peoria. And Blanks had a single in the Padres' 10-5 loss to Cleveland in Goodyear. "I've been making some adjustments and swinging well all spring," said Venable."
Pitcher in position to carve role with Padres
Comment
March 11
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"It's still a little early in the spring to be putting too much emphasis on a single outing. "We're not even to the midterms yet," Padres manager Bud Black said yesterday. "Right now, they are open-book tests." But the brass is watching, and yesterday three of the five pitchers involved in the battle for the last spot in the rotation worked three innings apiece in a pair of split-squad games. Sean Gallagher and Wade LeBlanc each allowed one run. Mat Latos, meanwhile, allowed an unearned run on his own fielding error. Gallagher and Latos worked against the Milwaukee Brewers in Peoria under the scrutiny of Black and pitching coach Darren Balsley. LeBlanc was facing the Cleveland Indians in ..."
Do-over for Padres prospect
Comment
March 10
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Most people have had moments when, thanks to a mistake or a botched job, their professional lives flashed before their eyes. Somehow, most people survive their darkest hours. Wade LeBlanc did. Today, the 25-year-old left-hander is a Padres prospect again and battling for the No.?5 slot in the rotation - although he most likely will start the season with Triple-A Portland. But last June 25, LeBlanc thought his dreams of pitching for the Padres might be behind him. Called up six days earlier to replace the injured Chris Young, LeBlanc had two bad outings - the second one so bad that he was optioned back to Portland almost before the final out was recorded in Seattle. "I think I was in and ..."
Venable back in the swing
Comment
March 9
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Although father Max was a major league outfielder, it was Will Venable's mother who might be more responsible for her son reaching the Padres. Will Venable had stopped playing baseball as a senior in high school when Molly Venable insisted he keep his options open when college scouts courted him as a basketball player. "After my junior season in high school, baseball wasn't important to me," Venable said. "I wasn't real good at it and I had lost interest. Baseball wasn't a priority in my life. "I loved basketball." He loved it so much that he went out for track in the spring of his senior season at San Rafael High, thinking that the long jump and high jump would improve his basketball ..."
Visit from boxing legend Ali leaves pro athletes awe-struck
Comment
March 9
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"As the son of a Hall of Famer, Tony Gwynn Jr. has met more than his share of famous athletes over his 27 years. But yesterday marked the first time the Padres center fielder "could remember myself being star-struck." The object of Gwynn's awe was boxing legend Muhammad Ali, who visited the Padres yesterday morning as part of the Athletes for Hope campaign. Ali, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, didn't say anything during the visit, but shook hands with Padres players after they lined up to meet the former heavyweight champion at the end of their daily meeting. "You don't come across these moments very often," said Gwynn. "That was a treat.""
Hairston's hand bruised, not broken
Comment
March 8
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"In the middle of a steady rain, there was one ray of sunlight yesterday in Peoria, Ariz. Scott Hairston was only bruised Saturday when struck on the back of his left hand by a pitched ball. "It's fine, I can grip, nothing is broken," said Hairston, who was going to get yesterday off even before rain washed out the Padres' scheduled exhibition game with Seattle at Peoria Stadium. "A rainout this early in March isn't going to affect what we are doing," said Padres manager Bud Black, who said a "B" game could be added later if his pitchers needed more work. "This doesn't set us back.""
Steady as he goes: Padres' Jon Garland
Comment
March 8
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"The bottom line on Jon Garland is pretty simple. Garland gives you a chance to win every time he pitches and he pitches every time he is given the chance. His is a straightforward, businesslike approach - a lot of fastballs with what Padres manager Bud Black describes as "bowling-ball sink." And Garland's success - he is a two-time, 18-game winner - is anchored in repetition. It's been that way in each of Garland's eight full major league seasons. He has never made fewer than 32 starts in those seasons. And he's averaged more than 205 innings a season. "I like to think I give a manager a day off when it's my turn," the durable 30-year-old right-hander said recently. "I'm going to be there. ..."
Almost a year between pitches
Comment
March 7
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"For most Padres, Friday afternoon's game in Surprise, Ariz., is nothing more than another stop on the "Groundhog Day" of a spring exhibition schedule. But it could be a special day for Mark Worrell. That is when the right-handed relief pitcher hopes to pitch in a game for the first time since March 17. Eight days after that painful appearance, Worrell underwent "Tommy John" surgery to reconstruct the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. "I'm really looking forward to facing hitters again," said Worrell. "It seems like it's been a lot longer than a year." And it hasn't, which puts Worrell slightly ahead of schedule on what is called the "Tommy John protocol." "One year from the ..."
Who's on third? Team has many to choose from
Comment
March 6
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"The Padres are overstocked with young third basemen. The varsity third baseman of the moment is switch-hitting Chase Headley, 25. Two of the franchise's top prospects are James Darnell and Logan Forsythe, both 23. And chasing them is Edinson Rincon, 19, who hit .300 for short-season Single-A Eugene last summer. Not all of them can play third for the Padres. Eventually, someone has to move on or move to a new position. That could be happening. While Headley and Darnell were splitting time at third yesterday, Forsythe made two solid plays in the late innings at second. Forsythe has been fielding balls at both second and third ?last week while Darnell, in manager Bud Black's words, "is ..."
New look, results: Latos shines in debut
Comment
March 6
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Mat Latos vividly remembers the first major league hitter he faced last spring during his exhibition season cameo with the Padres. "Victor Martinez of Cleveland in Goodyear, (Ariz.)," Latos recalled yesterday. "Ball one, ball two, ball three, goodbye." On the right-hander's fourth pitch, which Latos described as a "97-mile-an-hour, belt-high fastball," Martinez launched a drive that carried, in the pitcher's estimation, "500 feet." "It drilled this woman in the shoulder," Latos said. "Nearly knocked her down. I felt a little bad for her." Yesterday's 2010 spring debut was no less memorable for Latos for completely different reasons. The 22-year-old got a chance to pitch against his ..."
Padres will honor player killed in combat in WWII
Comment
March 5
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Manuel "Nay" Hernandez, the only member of the original minor league Padres to be killed in action during World War II, is being honored by the major league club. In June, the Padres will hang a plaque in Hernandez's memory in the "military zone" beneath the right field stands at Petco Park. The memorial will be unveiled June 14 during pregame ceremonies. Hernandez, a San Diego native, won All-Southern California honors with San Diego High in 1937 and 1938."
Still hazy in radio booth for Padres
Comment
March 5
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"If you think things are uncertain for the Padres on the field - how good are they, when will Adrian Gonzalez be traded, etc. - just check out the media world surrounding them. The first radio broadcast of the season is at 12:05 p.m. today on XX Sports Radio, but it could be the last "opener" for Ted Leitner. Beginning his 31st season as a Padres announcer, Leitner is rumored to be in danger of not being asked to return, although the club promises no decision will be made until after this season. There's also no way of knowing how the reshuffled booth will work this season, with Leitner and Andy Masur (whose contract also is up after this season) working sans Jerry Coleman for all but 40 ..."
Young says he 'felt good' in return to mound
Comment
March 5
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Chris Young's statistical line wasn't that great - and his spring stats usually aren't - but the right-hander was relatively pleased after one inning of work yesterday in the Padres' first exhibition game. "Physically, I felt good," said Young, who was facing opposing hitters for the first time since June 19. "I'm not happy with my command, I was not able to locate. But I'm healthy and I liked the way the ball came out. The life was there. The command will come with time." Young, whose 2009 season ended at midseason with shoulder problems that required surgery, threw 33 pitches in one inning, during which he allowed one run on three straight hits and a walk. He worked his way out of a ..."
Getting Gwynn guidance
Comment
March 5
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"For most of his baseball life, Tony Gwynn Jr. has had to look no further than his Hall of Fame dad for baseball advice. "Almost everything I've experienced in this game, my father has experienced," the young Gwynn said yesterday. But last spring, the son faced a major problem that his father had never experienced. He had been designated for assignment - lopped from the Milwaukee Brewers' 40-man roster at the end of spring training. And to make matters more dire, Gwynn, who was nursing a sore shoulder, passed through waivers without another team claiming him. "Wow," he said yesterday. "I was first surprised the Brewers designated me, then when no one claimed me. My shoulder was hurting and ..."
Why won't the Padres re-sign Gonzalez?
Comment
March 4
Foxsports.com
 columnist Ken Rosenthal
"If the Twins can sign catcher Joe Mauer to a monstrous contract extension, then why can't the Padres do the same with first baseman Adrian Gonzalez? The Padres have their reasons; teams always do. But if I were a fan, I wouldn't be satisfied with the team's party line. Yes, the Twins are in a stronger financial position than the Padres as they prepare to open their new ballpark and negotiate a new local TV contract. But my goodness, San Diego's Petco Park is only six years old. And while the Minneapolis-St. Paul television market ranks 15th and San Diego 28th according to Nielsen Media Research, we're hardly talking about New York vs. Kansas City. Heck, Milwaukee is the No. 35 media ..."
Young is eager for today's start
Comment
March 4
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"On the other side of the fence at Peoria Sports Complex, two-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum already was pitching against the Seattle Mariners for the San Francisco Giants, both teams opening their Cactus League schedules yesterday. Keeping score and everything. Not so the Padres, who staged a simulated game, mostly so pitchers could start working against batters in game situations. Still, a little more than a month before Opening Day of the 2010 baseball season, there was a palpable boost of energy and intensity on the San Diego side of the campus. Nobody was more eager for today's Padres charity exhibition opener against the Mariners than starting pitcher Chris Young. Although ..."
Padres getting larceny lessons
Comment
March 4
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"With the highly possible exception of Jackie Robinson's legendary steal of home plate in the 1955 World Series, in all of baseball history, can there be a more epic and gutsy stolen base than Dave Roberts' theft of second in the American League Championship Series of 2004? For those just emerging from a cave after six-plus years, the Boston Red Sox were down 3-0 in games and facing near-certain elimination from the best-of-seven series, trailing the hated New York Yankees 4-3 in the ninth inning of Game 4. Roberts hadn't played in 10 days when sent in to pinch-run, whereupon he stole second base by a fingernail and wound up scoring the tying run, whereupon Boston won four straight from New ..."
Players union talks about HGH testing
Comment
March 3
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"The Padres yesterday received their annual spring-training visit from the Major League Baseball Players Association hierarchy, but this time the union party was led by new Executive Director Michael Weiner, who took over with the retirement of Donald Fehr. Before stepping up to the position, Weiner was the longtime general counsel for the union. "Michael's been with us since 1980, knows the ropes and has a good head on his shoulders," said the Padres' union player rep, closer Heath Bell. "I think he's gonna be good. We're all trying to find a common ground. The owners and players are not at war like they used to be. We're all trying to keep moving forward. Everybody's trying to make the ..."
Get used to it: Gonzalez is a wanted man
Comment
March 3
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Jake Peavy is planning a prison break. He wants to spring Adrian Gonzalez from the Gaslamp Gulag known as Petco Park. He wants to free the oppressed slugger from the cruel, unusual and harshly low-profile punishment of playing for the Padres. He thinks Chicago could be A-Gon's kind of town, has actively lobbied White Sox management to make a deal and says he is "disheartened" by the state of his former ballclub. "Adrian wants to win — I can tell you that," Peavy says of his ex-teammate. "If it means leaving San Diego, he won't think twice about doing that. I can promise you that." Inasmuch as the White Sox won exactly four more games than did the Padres last season, Peavy might be guilty ..."
Eck: He's got it
Comment
March 2
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"As they say, veteran move. Even as he stopped moving. By not so much as flinching as he set up under a fly ball he knew he couldn't see and sure couldn't catch, David Eckstein again showed manager Bud Black why he was with the Padres last year. More important, he showed his new and much younger teammates. Black remembered it being a Sunday game, runners on first and second, the sun blinding Eckstein to the high fly ball to the right side of the infield. Eckstein's pretty sure it was twilight, but he agreed that he had absolutely no clue where the pop-up had gone and less of an idea where it was coming down. "Most players," said Black, "their instinct is (ducking and covering up his head), ..."
Padres shaking up the radio booth
Comment
March 2
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Ted Leitner and Jerry Coleman have shared the Padres' radio booth for the better part of three decades, but their time together in 2010 might be limited to about three days in spring training. In fact, Leitner is not scheduled to be there at all for two dozen games this season after the Padres decided to have Andy Masur handle the play-by-play for 24 of the 25 home games that the venerable Coleman is scheduled to work. Coleman also is slated to work the April 12 home opener and 15 road games, but in those games, he will be on the air for only the three middle innings, which will be the same innings Masur will call play-by-play. For the other six innings (1-3 and 7-9), Leitner will do ..."
Get used to it: Gonzalez is a wanted man
Comment
March 2
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Jake Peavy didn't appear too upset when he bid the Padres farewell last season. Now he thinks Chicago might be Adrian Gonzalez's kind of town. Jake Peavy is planning a prison break. He wants to spring Adrian Gonzalez from the Gaslamp Gulag known as Petco Park. He wants to free the oppressed slugger from the cruel, unusual and harshly low-profile punishment of playing for the Padres. He thinks Chicago could be A-Gon's kind of town, has actively lobbied White Sox management to make a deal and says he is "disheartened" by the state of his former ballclub. "Adrian wants to win - I can tell you that," Peavy says of his ex-teammate. "If it means leaving San Diego, he won't think twice about ..."
Correia looks to build on breakout season
Comment
March 1
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Kevin Correia has a goal this year: validation. "I want to repeat and improve on what I did last season," the right-handed starter said Saturday. If he does, the 29-year-old native San Diegan could be sitting pretty this time next spring. Correia is a free agent at the end of this season. After going 12-11 last year with a 3.91 ERA in 33 starts, Correia got $3.6 million from the Padres for this season - the sides settling in lieu of arbitration. But when the 2010 season ends, the Padres hold no options on Correia. He is free to sign with anyone. "Yes, this is an important year," Correia said. "But every year is like that. What's good about this year is that I have last season to build ..."
Sox after Padres slugger Gonzalez? Peavy all for it
Comment
March 1
Chicago Tribune
 
"Persistent White Sox general manager Ken Williams succeeded in landing Jake Peavy last July, and he has embarked on some groundwork to land another All-Star player from San Diego. Sunday, Peavy confirmed that Williams had asked him last winter about Adrian Gonzalez, and Peavy gave Williams a ringing endorsement of the left-handed-hitting first baseman who would fortify the Sox's predominantly right-handed-hitting lineup. "Obviously, I said we need to get this guy," Peavy said. "This guy can blink his eyes and hit 40 home runs in our park." The price for Gonzalez, 27, could be higher than as it was for Peavy, who commanded four pitching prospects. Gonzalez won't become a free agent until ..."
Petco exec, groundskeeper leaving team
Comment
February 27
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"The Padres are losing two key behind-the-scenes personnel. Richard Andersen, general manager of Petco Park, is resigning as an executive vice president of the club to pursue his second career in education. And John Turnour, an assistant groundskeeper on Luke Yoder's staff, is leaving the Padres after four seasons to become the head groundskeeper of the Washington Nationals. Andersen, 58, joined the Padres in 2003 to help then-club President and Chief Operating Officer Dick Freeman prepare Petco Park for its opening the following year. Andersen directed the day-to-day operations of Petco Park. Although he announced his resignation earlier this week, Andersen said he plans to remain with the ..."
Cabrera makes Rule 5 choice golden
Comment
February 27
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"One short year ago, Everth Cabrera was the darling of the Padres' spring training camp as a Rule 5 acquisition. But the shortstop yesterday said he never thought about the Rule 5 part of the equation. "When I came to camp, I never thought I was here as a Rule 5 player," said Cabrera, who spoke with first base coach Rick Renteria serving as his interpreter. "The Rule 5 draft is how I got to the Padres. But when I came here, I didn't think they were going to keep me because of Rule 5. I came in competing for a job. "From the beginning of spring training, I felt I had a chance to win a job because I could play and not because of Rule 5 and because they might have to keep me.""
5 arms eye one slot in Padres' rotation
Comment
February 26
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Perhaps the toughest decision facing the Padres this spring will be identifying the fifth starter in the rotation. The front three spots, barring unforeseen circumstances, are set with Jon Garland, Chris Young and Kevin Correia. And Clayton Richard would have to fall apart to lose the No. 4 job. That leaves one spot with five pitchers in the running: Mat Latos, Wade LeBlanc, Cesar Ramos, Tim Stauffer and Sean Gallagher. What makes the competition more interesting is: a) Latos is the 22-year-old prospect who piqued the interest of Padres fans last year and b) Stauffer and Gallagher are out of options, meaning the Padres risk losing them if they aren't on the Opening Day roster. That doesn't ..."
Gonzalez looking to get what he's worth
Comment
February 25
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Adrian Gonzalez says he plans on being a Padre for at least the next two seasons — or until the Padres tell him he's not. "I am 100 percent committed to this organization," Gonzalez said Wednesday after arriving at the Padres spring training camp. "My focus is on the Padres. I want to win as a San Diegan. San Diego deserves a champion, either us or the Chargers. The focus should be on winning a championship for San Diego." But the 27-year-old, two-time All-Star also knows he could demand more as a free agent after 2011 than the Padres would — and possibly could — be willing to offer. And that makes his continuing tenure with Padres one of the more widely discussed subjects in the game. ..."
Headley happy at third
Comment
February 23
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"They didn't discuss the subject, but Chase Headley and Kevin Kouzmanoff knew at the end of last season that they wouldn't be teammates in 2010. "It made sense that it would be him or me going," Headley said yesterday shortly after reporting to the Padres' rain-socked spring training facility. "There were better candidates in left than me, so that made us both third basemen. Kouz and I had a good relationship, but we could see we weren't going to continue as teammates. "I give Kouz a lot of credit. It was never an issue between us. It's sad to see him go." That said, the trade of Kouzmanoff to Oakland - for outfielders Scott Hairston and Aaron Cunningham - officially moved Headley from left ..."
Bell has eye on preserving union
Comment
February 22
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"As the player representative of the Padres, Heath Bell is concerned about the future of the Major League Players Association when the current collective bargaining agreement expires after 2011. "I think the owners are going to try to break up the union," Bell said yesterday. "Some things have to change, but I don't think a salary cap is the answer. "One of the things is that most of the present players don't remember what players in the past did for them, that there'd be no $406,000 minimum if it weren't for guys they never met. "I think there are maybe five guys still in the league who were here for the strike of 1994." Part of Bell's assignments as player representative is to keep Padres ..."
Hundley studies up on how to calm down
Comment
February 22
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"More than once during the offseason, Bud Black expressed his faith in catcher Nick Hundley. Then the Padres manager added a caveat. "Nick still has some things to clean up," Black would say. "I totally understand," Hundley said yesterday after catching two rounds of pitchers on a second straight cool-and-damp day at the Padres' spring training camp. "I know that I need to improve on some things." Hundley is enthusiastically throwing himself into the process of settling down - being a calming influence behind the plate rather than a moving target. "I'm not the calmest player in the game," Hundley said. "I play with a lot of enthusiasm. I like playing with energy and enjoying myself. "At the ..."
Wells stays true to himself
Comment
February 21
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"The last time he attended the Hall of Champions banquet, David Wells was seated next to Ted Williams. Think of it. The greatest hitter to come out of San Diego County - or anywhere else - and quite possibly the greatest pitcher to come out of the city. Side-by-side. As they spoke on the dais, people in the audience could see their lips moving. Probably just as well folks couldn't hear what they were saying, given Wells' verbatim recollection of his conversation with the crusty Teddy Ballgame, ever the provocateur. Williams: "David!" Wells: "What, Mr. Williams?" Williams: "What makes a curveball curve?" Wells: "Is this a trick question?" Williams: "Answer the bleeping question!" Wells: ..."
Stairs happy to fill niche for Padres
Comment
February 21
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Like most every other business, baseball is adjusting to the economics of the times. For proof, look at the long list of free agents still looking for work after the start of spring training. "I think some guys misjudged the market this year," Matt Stairs said yesterday. "Teams are going with younger players with an eye on speed and defense." Also, cheaper players. Young, fast players aren't going to ask for the sums sought by the likes of Johnny Damon and Jermaine Dye. Baseball is looking at the bottom line as well as skill. Having read the tea leaves, Stairs, a 14-season veteran, prepared for a future without baseball last fall. He wasn't seeking retirement, but he was preparing for the ..."
Young throws like setbacks are behind him
Comment
February 20
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Upon reaching second with a game-opening double last June 14, Angel Chone Figgins turned to Padres second baseman David Eckstein and asked: "What is wrong with C.Y.?" As it turned out, a lot. Fifteen hitters later, Young was through for the season. And two months after that, he had shoulder surgery to remove tissue impinging on the movement of the labrum of his right shoulder. The surgery was the fourth setback suffered by Young since the middle of the 2007 season, when he suffered a strained left oblique just two weeks after pitching in the All-Star Game. Clearly the most notable among Young's injuries came on May 21, 2008, when a third-inning line drive off the bat of Albert Pujols hit ..."
After Indians stint, Barfield back with San Diego
Comment
February 20
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Josh Barfield is returning to the Padres. The second baseman, who was a rookie sensation with the 2006 National League West-champion Padres, accepted a minor league contract from the club yesterday. Barfield, 27, was traded to Cleveland for third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff after his first season in the major leagues. A Padres fourth-round draft pick in 2001, Barfield advanced quickly through the minor leagues and won the Opening Day job at second in 2006 with a strong spring training. He hit .280 that season with 13 homers and 58 RBI in 150 games, although he platooned with Todd Walker late in the season. The Barfield-for-Kouzmanoff trade upset many Padres fans, who saw it as another example ..."
Padres bring Barfield back on Minors deal
Comment
February 19
MLB.com
 
"In a blast from the past, San Diego has signed former Padres infielder Josh Barfield to a Minor League contract. Barfield, who was the Padres everyday second baseman in 2006, will report to Spring Training on March 12. Barfield wasn't offered a Spring Training invite to Major League camp. Barfield, 27, was selected by the Padres in the fourth round of the 2001 Draft and hit .280 with 13 home runs and 58 RBIs in 150 games in 2006. In a move that was criticized at the time, the Padres sent Barfield to Cleveland following the season for pitcher Andrew Brown and third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff."
Torrealba comfortable in backup role
Comment
February 19
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Yorvit Torrealba was looking for a job this winter when he heard 2009 Padres backup catcher Henry Blanco had signed with the New York Mets. Torrealba called Blanco to discuss the Padres. It wasn't a long-distance call. "Henry and I are close friends," Torrealba said yesterday. "In Venezuela, we live five minutes away. We play on the same winter league team. We are good neighbors." So good that Torrealba was surprised Blanco didn't re-sign with the Padres. "I know he liked it in San Diego," Torrealba said. But Blanco got $1.5 million from the Mets, which was $500,000 more than the Padres were willing to spend on a backup catcher. Until the 31-year-old Torrealba became available. The Padres ..."
Improved Padres team heads to Peoria
Comment
February 18
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"As everyone knows by now, the Padres went 37-25 over the final 62 games last season to finish with 75 wins - a 12-game improvement over the near 100-loss season of 2008. Going into spring training - pitchers and catchers are due to report today in Peoria, Ariz. - Padres brass is optimistic that the Padres will again show improvement in 2010. But where exactly are the Padres compared with last season at this time? Have the additions of right-handed starter Jon Garland, brothers Scott and Jerry Hairston Jr. and catcher Yorvit Torrealba along with a more experienced cadre of young players significantly improved the Padres in a year? A position-by-position look at these Padres compared to the ..."
Sources: Cards, Padres pursuing Lopez
Comment
February 18
Foxsports.com
 
"The Cardinals and Padres are among the four teams currently pursuing free agent infielder Felipe Lopez, multiple sources told FOXSports.com. Lopez played for St. Louis in 2008, and the Cardinals' interest may be linked to the recent right wrist surgery of shortstop Brendan Ryan. San Diego, meanwhile, doesn't have much depth at the middle infield spots. Lopez could help there, since he has spent most of his career at shortstop and second base."