Mailbag: Is Castilla the answer at third?
11/07/2005
The trade of pitcher Brian Lawrence to the Nationals for third baseman Vinny Castilla signaled the start of an offseason that promises to be filled with drama and intrigue for Padres fans. Send your questions to beat writer Lyle Spencer, including first name, last initial and hometown, and he'll try to provide answers -- or educated guesses.
Do you think Castilla will return to his best form and be the offensive answer that we're looking for? -- Gilberto R., Guadalajara, Mex.
Castilla should feel energized and revitalized in an environment so close to his Mexican roots, knowing he'll be supported by so many new fans. It's not difficult to envision Vinny delivering handsomely both offensively and defensively, while providing leadership with his upbeat attitude and tremendous experience.
One thing to keep in mind: 21 of Castilla's 35 homers in 2004 for the Rockies were hit away from Coors Field. Plus, he has always flourished against the Padres, rising to the challenge with 33 of his 315 career homers against San Diego. Clearly, he loves those ocean breezes.
Which new starters do you think will make the 2006 pitching rotation? Is Pedro Astacio in the plans?-- Dustin M., Poway, Calif.
Clay Hensley will be given every opportunity to move into the rotation. Astacio, a free agent, would fit right into his '05 slot unless another team makes an offer he can't refuse. Woody Williams, Chan Ho Park and Tim Stauffer all figure in the discussion, along with Chris Oxspring, if he has a breakout spring.
A left-hander, for balance, would be a nice addition. David Wells would like to come home, and Boomer appears to have something left. Perhaps the Red Sox would have an interest in Sean Burroughs, a Wade Boggs type. Boggs certainly took full advantage of Fenway Park's dimensions.
How does Robert Fick fit in with next year's plans? -- Phil R., Windsor, Ontario.
Fick is a free agent, and the Padres apparently have an interest in bringing him back. He was tremendously valuable in 2005 as a bench player capable of playing four positions and as a pinch-hitter with ice water in his veins.
Mark Sweeney is in the same position as Fick, a free agent coming off an excellent season. Both were vital components in the clubhouse, as well, with their wit and lively personalities.
Realistically, isn't Sandy Alderson shooting for 2007? Heavy contracts will be gone. Jake Peavy will probably be the highest-paid player. Should Padres fans lower their sights for 2006? -- Jay B., San Diego
It remains to be seen which direction the Padres will take. We'll know a lot more in the next month as Alderson and GM Kevin Towers go about the business of cobbling together a roster.
So much depends on what happens with free agents Brian Giles and Trevor Hoffman in terms of shaping the club that it's hard to make any definitive assessments until that's resolved.
If they elect to go with young talent, giving Xavier Nady, Ben Johnson and possibly Freddy Guzman regular jobs, there probably would be some rough growing pains. But San Diego fans generally have shown patience, and a rebuilding project doesn't happen overnight.
My impression is that Alderson and player development maven Grady Fuson have the big picture in mind and will do whatever it takes to make the franchise strong for years to come. You can't get away with this in markets like New York, Boston and Los Angeles, where the demand is to win now at all costs.
What do you think about the Padres trading for the Twins' Torii Hunter? He is a right-handed power bat and a great center fielder. -- John F., Santee, Calif.
Hunter is all of that and more, a tremendous team leader. I'd take him in a heartbeat. But it's not known for certain if he's available, and if he is, how much in return it would take to get him.
There are other possibilities if the club decides it wants to move Dave Roberts to left, preserving the leadoff catalyst physically. Juan Pierre of the Marlins and Mike Cameron of the Mets would be excellent fits -- different players, for sure, but both great defensively.
I keep hearing about the Padres acquiring a big bat for the outfield. What are the chances they'll have an outfield of Nady, Guzman and Johnson if Giles leaves? Can the Padres win with this outfield? -- Ricardo C., Portland, Ore.
That's the big question, and nobody can answer it until you give it a chance. That would be an exciting and swift outfield, and you can substitute Roberts for Guzman very easily for proven quality.
I'm not sure the Padres are willing to gamble on three young outfielders, but two? That could happen. Certainly Nady and Johnson have excited fans with their potential, and we're all curious to see what they can do with a full slate of games.
Do you see Cesar Carrillo getting a real shot at making this ballclub next year? Do you see this kid becoming the next Ramon Martinez-type pitcher? -- Joshua S., San Diego, Calif.
The early reports on the slender right-hander from the University of Miami are impressive, indeed. He does have that Ramon Martinez body and similar action on the ball, it appears. If he's close to as good as Pedro's big brother, the Padres have found a gem.
As for 2006, Carrillo probably needs a full season at Triple-A, but he could force himself onto the staff with a tremendous spring. More likely is that he shows what he can do at Triple-A Portland and arrives around midseason in the role Clay Hensley handled so beautifully in 2005.
Source: http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/
The trade of pitcher Brian Lawrence to the Nationals for third baseman Vinny Castilla signaled the start of an offseason that promises to be filled with drama and intrigue for Padres fans. Send your questions to beat writer Lyle Spencer, including first name, last initial and hometown, and he'll try to provide answers -- or educated guesses.
Do you think Castilla will return to his best form and be the offensive answer that we're looking for? -- Gilberto R., Guadalajara, Mex.
Castilla should feel energized and revitalized in an environment so close to his Mexican roots, knowing he'll be supported by so many new fans. It's not difficult to envision Vinny delivering handsomely both offensively and defensively, while providing leadership with his upbeat attitude and tremendous experience.
One thing to keep in mind: 21 of Castilla's 35 homers in 2004 for the Rockies were hit away from Coors Field. Plus, he has always flourished against the Padres, rising to the challenge with 33 of his 315 career homers against San Diego. Clearly, he loves those ocean breezes.
Which new starters do you think will make the 2006 pitching rotation? Is Pedro Astacio in the plans?-- Dustin M., Poway, Calif.
Clay Hensley will be given every opportunity to move into the rotation. Astacio, a free agent, would fit right into his '05 slot unless another team makes an offer he can't refuse. Woody Williams, Chan Ho Park and Tim Stauffer all figure in the discussion, along with Chris Oxspring, if he has a breakout spring.
A left-hander, for balance, would be a nice addition. David Wells would like to come home, and Boomer appears to have something left. Perhaps the Red Sox would have an interest in Sean Burroughs, a Wade Boggs type. Boggs certainly took full advantage of Fenway Park's dimensions.
How does Robert Fick fit in with next year's plans? -- Phil R., Windsor, Ontario.
Fick is a free agent, and the Padres apparently have an interest in bringing him back. He was tremendously valuable in 2005 as a bench player capable of playing four positions and as a pinch-hitter with ice water in his veins.
Mark Sweeney is in the same position as Fick, a free agent coming off an excellent season. Both were vital components in the clubhouse, as well, with their wit and lively personalities.
Realistically, isn't Sandy Alderson shooting for 2007? Heavy contracts will be gone. Jake Peavy will probably be the highest-paid player. Should Padres fans lower their sights for 2006? -- Jay B., San Diego
It remains to be seen which direction the Padres will take. We'll know a lot more in the next month as Alderson and GM Kevin Towers go about the business of cobbling together a roster.
So much depends on what happens with free agents Brian Giles and Trevor Hoffman in terms of shaping the club that it's hard to make any definitive assessments until that's resolved.
If they elect to go with young talent, giving Xavier Nady, Ben Johnson and possibly Freddy Guzman regular jobs, there probably would be some rough growing pains. But San Diego fans generally have shown patience, and a rebuilding project doesn't happen overnight.
My impression is that Alderson and player development maven Grady Fuson have the big picture in mind and will do whatever it takes to make the franchise strong for years to come. You can't get away with this in markets like New York, Boston and Los Angeles, where the demand is to win now at all costs.
What do you think about the Padres trading for the Twins' Torii Hunter? He is a right-handed power bat and a great center fielder. -- John F., Santee, Calif.
Hunter is all of that and more, a tremendous team leader. I'd take him in a heartbeat. But it's not known for certain if he's available, and if he is, how much in return it would take to get him.
There are other possibilities if the club decides it wants to move Dave Roberts to left, preserving the leadoff catalyst physically. Juan Pierre of the Marlins and Mike Cameron of the Mets would be excellent fits -- different players, for sure, but both great defensively.
I keep hearing about the Padres acquiring a big bat for the outfield. What are the chances they'll have an outfield of Nady, Guzman and Johnson if Giles leaves? Can the Padres win with this outfield? -- Ricardo C., Portland, Ore.
That's the big question, and nobody can answer it until you give it a chance. That would be an exciting and swift outfield, and you can substitute Roberts for Guzman very easily for proven quality.
I'm not sure the Padres are willing to gamble on three young outfielders, but two? That could happen. Certainly Nady and Johnson have excited fans with their potential, and we're all curious to see what they can do with a full slate of games.
Do you see Cesar Carrillo getting a real shot at making this ballclub next year? Do you see this kid becoming the next Ramon Martinez-type pitcher? -- Joshua S., San Diego, Calif.
The early reports on the slender right-hander from the University of Miami are impressive, indeed. He does have that Ramon Martinez body and similar action on the ball, it appears. If he's close to as good as Pedro's big brother, the Padres have found a gem.
As for 2006, Carrillo probably needs a full season at Triple-A, but he could force himself onto the staff with a tremendous spring. More likely is that he shows what he can do at Triple-A Portland and arrives around midseason in the role Clay Hensley handled so beautifully in 2005.
Source: http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/
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