San Diego Padres Trade Rumors

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 ..."
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 ..."
Jake Peavy wants Adrian Gonzalez on the White Sox; could Gordon Beckham be trade bait?
Comment
February 28
Yahoo! Sports
 
"White Sox right-hander Jake Peavy is lobbying general manager Ken Williams to acquire Peavy's former teammate Adrian Gonzalez, CBS Sports reports. "I want Adrian to be my teammate over here," Peavy is quoted as saying. According to the CBS report, Williams doesn't need much convincing."
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."
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."
Rays claim relief pitcher Mike Ekstrom off waivers from Padres
Comment
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
Comment
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 close to signing another Hairston
Comment
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."
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
Comment
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 in no rush to move Bell
Comment
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 ..."
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 ..."
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 ..."
Turning around and trading Ellsbury would result in a steal for Padres
Comment
December 17
Boston Globe
 
"Obviously, we are sensing the proverbial next shoe is about to drop. If it is Adrian Gonzalez (with an outside shot at Miguel Cabrera), which would be a ginormous move by the Red Sox to cap what would be an eye-popping offseason, then what is there not to like? Well, one thing: if one of the players going to San Diego is Jacoby Ellsbury. If Ellsbury is the hot name from the San Diego side, then Theo Epstein should just say no. Give up Ryan Westmoreland, and include a better prospect or two at the end of the deal. Ellsbury is a special player who hit .301, stole 70 bases, and scored 94 runs last season, and one who plays a very good center field and is just 26 years old. He's a game-changer ..."
Just the beginning: Bigger deals on horizon
Comment
December 17
Boston Herald
 columnist Michael Silverman
"The Red Sox had a big day yesterday, snagging John Lackey and Mike Cameron for a mere $98 million, and they aren't done. More big days are ahead. They might not happen until July of next year, or even later, but the pitching- and defense-oriented moves the Sox have made so far this offseason merely are part of a makeover still very much in progress for 2010 and 2011. A big hitter, one who ideally can play first or third base or left field, still is on the to-do list. By adding Lackey, Cameron, Jeremy Hermida and Marco Scutaro, the Red Sox can remain in the hunt for free agents Matt Holliday and Adrian Beltre - players identified as ideal solutions for left field and third base - for as ..."
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 ..."
Next up, 1B Adrian Gonzalez?
Comment
December 17
Boston Herald
 
"According to multiple major league sources, the Red Sox are unlikely to acquire San Diego Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez before the season, and characterizations the teams were nearing a deal were described by one as "an overstatement." While the Sox and Padres could eventually be a match once the regular season begins, right now the chances of making a trade are slim. "Way premature," the second source familiar with the talks said. For one, new San Diego general manager Jed Hoyer risks too much by trading Gonzalez as his first move, particularly to the Red Sox. Were Hoyer to trade his most marketable star to his former employer and not get enough in return right out of the chute, ..."
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."
Mariners Exploring Adrian Gonzalez Trade
Comment
December 10
Foxsports.com
 
"Near the end of the same week in which they finalized an agreement with Chone Figgins, the Mariners remained active on a number of fronts: # Most notably, major-league sources said they are (again) exploring an Adrian Gonzalez trade with the Padres, renewing a pursuit that began prior to the July non-waiver trade deadline. While some in the industry question whether Jed Hoyer would want to trade Gonzalez in his first major transaction as the new San Diego general manager, one source said Thursday that the slugging first baseman "could be had in the right deal." Still, it doesn't appear that talks between Seattle and San Diego are advancing toward a deal. # Mariners general manager Jack ..."
Decision time looms for Padres
Comment
December 10
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"The Padres are not expected to complete a trade, sign a free agent or finalize a contract before baseball's Winter Meetings end today. But that doesn't mean this will be an uneventful week. By 9 p.m. tomorrow, the Padres must make decisions regarding their four arbitration-eligible players — pitchers Heath Bell, Kevin Correia and Mike Adams and third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff. There are four options on each player: A. Sign them to a contract before the deadline. B. Trade them. C. Offer them contracts and risk arbitration. D. Don't offer them a contract, making them free agents, and avoid the risk of arbitration. Tick. Tick. Tick. The signal, however, is clear on at least one player. Correia ..."
Correia declines Padres final contract offer
Comment
December 9
ESPN.com
 
"Pitcher Kevin Correia has declined the Padres' final contract offer and been told he's going to be non-tendered by the Saturday deadline. Correia, 29, went 12-11 with a 3.91 ERA in 33 starts this season. Pitched 198 innings. He made $1.1 million with incentives included."
Correia's days may be numbered
Comment
December 9
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Kevin Correia believes he has three days to reach a contract agreement with the Padres for 2010 or become a free agent. "I don't think they are going to allow me to get to arbitration," the right-handed pitcher said via telephone last night. "From what I understand, they're not going to offer me a contract if arbitration is involved." The Padres have until Saturday to offer contracts to unsigned players. On the books right now are four players – pitchers Correia, Heath Bell and Mike Adams and third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff — who are arbitration-eligible if they are offered a contract. If one of those players is not offered a contract (called a non-tender), he becomes a free agent. He would ..."
Padres 3rd baseman Kouzmanoff creating a buzz
Comment
December 9
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Suddenly, the hottest trade chip the Padres have to play seems to be third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff. Eight teams have apparently contacted the Padres regarding Kouzmanoff, although San Diego days earlier seemed to be facing an uphill battle in hopes of creating interest in Kouzmanoff against a deep pool of free-agent third basemen. Then Seattle spent $36 million to get Chone Figgins for four years. And the Phillies signed Placido Polanco for $18 million over three seasons. With visions of big paydays apparently in the heads of the top three remaining free-agent third basemen — Pedro Feliz, Adrian Beltre and Mark DeRosa — teams are seeing Kouzmanoff as an affordable (and playable) option. ..."
O's like landscape at third; Millwood talks continue
Comment
December 9
Baltimore Sun
 
"While the Orioles exchange proposals with the Texas Rangers about veteran pitcher Kevin Millwood, they continue to search for their next third baseman. The Orioles have talked with the Florida Marlins about Dan Uggla, but at this point, the Marlins' asking price of at least two pitching prospects is too high. They are one of several teams that have talked with the San Diego Padres about Kevin Kouzmanoff, a 28-year-old who has averaged 20 home runs and 82 RBIs the past three seasons. The Padres are looking for young pitching in return. Kouzmanoff, who is arbitration-eligible, is an appealing option to the Orioles because of his power and his ability to move to first when top position ..."
Several clubs interested in Kouzmanoff
Comment
December 8
MLB.com
 
"Kevin Kouzmanoff, one of four prominent Padres who are eligible for arbitration and due for a substantial raise, has apparently drawn the interest of several teams at the Winter Meetings. Kouzmanoff, a third baseman with power, has been linked to the San Francisco Giants as well as the Minnesota Twins in various online reports Tuesday. Kouzmanoff, who last season finished second in the voting for the Gold Glove Award in the National League, has averaged 19.7 home runs in the past three seasons and could be a fit for several teams looking for a third baseman. Kouzmanoff, who made $432,000 last season, could be looking at a pay raise for 2010 that could approach $4 million. The Padres have ..."
Moorad: Baseball decisions come before financial ones
Comment
December 8
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Padres owner Jeff Moorad today said any moves the Padres make now "will be baseball decisions and not financial decisions." Moorad spoke during a relatively quiet first day of baseball's annual Winter Meetings. Moorad said the Padres payroll is budgeted at $40 million. However, if the Padres made no additions, they would come in under that number even with four players — pitchers Heath Bell, Kevin Correia and Mike Adams plus third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff – eligible for arbitration. The Padres did make some news during the first day of baseball's annual Winter Meetings. •Chris Gwynn, who is best remembered by Padres fans for the game-winning double that gave the Padres the 1996 National ..."
Pirates and Rangers interested in Juan Pierre; Padres shopping Bell and Kouzmanoff
Comment
December 7
CBSSports.com
 
"Trade talks continue to dominate the winter meetings. As CBSSports.com reported yesterday, the Dodgers are trying hard to find a taker for outfielder Juan Pierre, and the Pirates have emerged as a surprising possible partner. Sources said Texas is also interested in Pierre, but since neither the Dodgers nor the Rangers can add any money, a deal would require matching up salaries. The Dodgers are hoping to either get a starting pitcher back for Pierre, who is due to make $10 million in 2010 and $8.5 million in 2011, or free up enough money to add a pitcher from elsewhere. The Padres, sources said, are shopping both closer Heath Bell and infielder Kevin Kouzmanoff. All the trade talks are ..."
Padres closer Heath Bell on Cubs' radar
Comment
December 7
Chicago Tribune
 
"The San Diego Padres are aggressively shopping right-handed closer Heath Bell, who converted 42 saves in 48 chances last season, and a source indicated the Cubs are among the teams that have expressed early interest. To make a deal happen, the Cubs probably would have to give up shortstop Ryan Theriot or catcher Geovany Soto. San Diego is hoping to use Bell to fill at least one of three holes -- catcher, middle infield and a right-handed-hitting center fielder to platoon with Tony Gwynn Jr. -- and the Cubs can't meet the center-field need. It's unclear if talks have progressed past the initial stage. But this is a very interesting possibility for the Cubs, as Bell's acquisition would ..."
Padres, Correia nearing decision time
Comment
December 7
Foxsports.com
 
"Right-hander Kevin Correia accepted a below-market contract to play for his hometown Padres last season, signing a one-year, $750,000 contract. He is less inclined to make the same move again. The Padres want to sign Correia at a discount, according to a major-league source. If no agreement is reached by Saturday, the team likely will decline to offer him a contract. Correia, who went 12-11 with a 3.91 ERA in 33 starts last season, would be one of the more attractive "non-tender" free agents. He benefited from pitching at Petco Park, but his ERA at home was only a half-run per game lower than it was on the road. For teams in need of rotation help — the Dodgers, Mets and Brewers come to ..."
Mets acquire Pads' Blanco for $1.5 mil
Comment
December 7
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Add catching to the Padres' need list. The Padres suffered a loss just before the Winter Meetings started when backup catcher Henry Blanco signed a free-agent contract with the New York Mets. Blanco will make $1.5 million — or twice what he did last year with the Padres. Blanco, 38, hit .235 with six homers and 16 RBI in 204 at-bats with the Padres. But beyond catching 60 games, Blanco worked with starting catcher Nick Hundley and the young Padres pitchers in addition to mentoring the club's younger Latin American players. The Padres were 29-29 in the games Blanco started behind the plate."
Hoyer has unfilled jobs on his mind
Comment
December 6
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Jed Hoyer is probably not quite as far along as he'd like to be after 6½ weeks as the Padres' general manager. He filled a major void earlier this week when Jason McLeod returned to the Padres as the assistant general manager focusing on scouting and player development. But the positions of scouting director and minor league director are still unfilled. And Hoyer, who is new to the National League, admitted Friday that he's still learning. That's to be expected. Time, however, is not on his side."
Closers being shopped, Cordero, Capps and Bell
Comment
December 6
Foxsports.com
 
"Teams look for a closer will have plenty to talk about in Indianapolis this week. Three proven closers are available in trades, according to early arrivals at the winter meetings. Cincinnati is shopping Francisco Cordero, hopefully that unloading the $25 million he is due the next two years will help ease financial restraints the franchise is facing."
Friars won't offer arbitration to Giles, Blanco
Comment
December 1
MLB.com
 
"New Padres general manager Jed Hoyer said on Monday that the team, as expected, won't offer salary arbitration to free-agent outfielder Brian Giles or catcher Henry Blanco. "We don't have any tough decisions," Hoyer said. Giles, who made $9 million last season, is a Type B free agent. By not offering Giles salary arbitration, a team that signs Giles won't have to surrender a supplemental pick between the first and second rounds of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft. Giles, who will be 39 next month, hit .191 in 61 games in an injury-plagued season. Giles, a career .291 hitter, spent parts of seven seasons with the Padres, hitting .279. He has said this offseason that he hopes to play in ..."
Trading Gonzalez now would be the wrong call
Comment
November 25
San Diego Union-Tribune
 columnist Tim Sullivan
"The time to trade Adrian Gonzalez is no sooner than necessary, but before it's too late. When the price is right, but unlikely to rise. When the moon is in the seventh house, when Jupiter aligns with Mars and when both the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox are in the market for a Gold Glove first baseman with preternatural power. In short, not yet. For all of the furious gum-flapping going on in New England, the Padres are under very little pressure to be shopping their best player just now. A-Gon is still an appreciating asset, still bound to the Home Team for two more seasons on favorable financial terms and not yet 28 years old. The Padres might choose to trade him — any player ..."
New Padres GM, Gonzalez's agent meet
Comment
November 22
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Padres General Manager Jed Hoyer and the agent for first baseman Adrian Gonzalez met yesterday to discuss the first baseman. "It was a good meeting," said John Boggs, Gonzalez's agent. "We all know we have a unique situation that won't be resolved quickly. The way we look at it, Adrian is a Padre the next two years unless we're told otherwise." "We walked through the history of Adrian," Hoyer said. "It was an enjoyable lunch." Gonzalez, 27, this past season became the first Padre to hit 40 homers since the club moved to Petco Park in 2004. He has 130 homers and 400 RBI in four seasons with the Padres and is a two-time National League All-Star and a two-time Gold Glove recipient. The San ..."
Big package needed to acquire Adrian Gonzalez
Comment
November 18
SI.com
 
"Adrian Gonzalez: Any acquiring team would have to put together a tremendous package for the superstar player with the most reasonable multiyear contract in baseball ($10.5 million over the next two years). The silliest rumor so far had Gonzalez possibly going in a three-way trade with Paul Konerko going to the Angels and prospects to the Padres. Beyond the fact the Angels have a great first baseman in Kendry Morales, Konerko's high contract makes him a giveaway at this point."
Halladay more likely to go than Gonzalez
Comment
November 10
SI.com
 
"Baseball people seem to believe that of the two superstar players available in trade -- Roy Halladay and Adrian Gonzalez -- Halladay is more likely to be moved for a few important reasons, such as: 1) He's eligible for free agency after this year, whereas the Padres have Gonzalez for two more years. 2) He makes $16 million to only about $5 million for Gonzalez, who has $10.25 mil over two remaining. 3) He wants out of Toronto. In an especially weak free-agent starting-pitching market, Halladay, 31, would draw interest from several teams, and with a new GM in Toronto (Alex Anthopoulos replaced J.P. Ricciardi), the whole game could change. It isn't known how Padres GM Jed Hoyer or ..."