Mailbag: Pondering free agents' fates
11/28/2005
The questions -- and suggestions -- keep rolling in, like big breakers. Please send your queries to beat writer Lyle Spencer, including your first name, last initial and hometown. For all those concerned about PETCO Park's dimensions being altered, it won't be significant. This will still be a park pitchers love and hitters aren't crazy about.
Here's a proposal for GM Kevin Towers to present to Trevor Hoffman: three years guaranteed at $5 million each year, with a $1 million bonus for 40-44 saves per season, another $1 million for 45-49 saves and another $1 million for 50-plus saves -- plus a $3 million bonus for breaking the all-time saves record (he's 42 shy of Lee Smith's record 478). The maximum would be $27 million, but more likely would be $21 million to $24 million. Doesn't that sound fair? -- Mike H., Escondido, Calif.
It's creative and does sound fair to me, but how it would play with Padres management -- and Hoffy -- is not known. I do like your effort. It shows how deeply loyalists want to see the anchor back in PETCO Park.
If Brian Giles doesn't return, how do the Padres plan to replace him? -- Jim N., Nevada, Mo.
Plan A appears to be free agent Jacque Jones of the Twins, who would play right field, with Ben Johnson, Eric Young and Dave Roberts (pending trades) sharing left and Mike Cameron in center. Johnson also could platoon in right with Jones, who has had problems with southpaw pitching.
If there's a Plan B, it could be another free agent, Jeromy Burnitz. Like Jones, Burnitz is a local kid who made good, and the Padres have tried to acquire his loud left-handed bat and solid defense in the past. He'll be 37 on April 15, and PETCO Park would frustrate him as it has Ryan Klesko and Giles, but the team does play 81 road games.
There should be appealing trade options, notably with the Reds. They have muscular Wily Mo Pena and Austin Kearns, an expendable pair of right-handed weapons, and a crying need for pitching. The Dec. 5-8 Winter Meetings in Dallas should be fascinating.
I'm a huge fan of Khalil Greene, and I think he is due to have a breakout year. Will the Padres wait for him to develop into the All-Star shortstop he will become? -- Stephen M., Washington, D.C.
Towers likes to say that nobody is untouchable, that he'll listen to offers for anyone -- but Greene and Jake Peavy are virtually untouchable. Khalil is the real deal, all right. He's a pure talent, offensively and defensively, with a high ceiling given his work ethic and sense of purpose.
If he can just avoid the fractures that have dogged him his first two seasons, he's ready to emerge as one of the two or three best in the National League, in a class with players such as Rafael Furcal and Jimmy Rollins.
What do you think of the Padres' trade for Bobby Hill? What is their plan for him for 2006? -- Paul K., Farmingdale, Maine
A switch-hitter with good speed and excellent plate discipline, Hill gives the club more options off the bench. He can play second or third, but with the club's depth at second, he appears likely to see most of his time in support of Vinny Castilla.
It's not hard to see Hill playing a game or two a week at third, and he can lead off, if necessary. Young, returning to his all-purpose backup role, is another leadoff candidate. Young gives the team an aggressive, dynamic presence it needs on the field, and he's a leader in the clubhouse.
Since the Reds have a lot of outfielders, including powerful hitters Wily Mo Pena and Adam Dunn, have the Padres considered trading one/two of their young pitchers (Chris Oxspring, Tim Stauffer) for one of them? Both have really cranked the ball in PETCO. -- Loren C., San Diego
I can't see the Reds parting with Dunn, but Pena and Kearns would have to be available for the right return -- and the Padres do have a surplus of pitching. For Oxspring, in particular, it could be a blessing, getting a chance to start.
I am really curious to know why the Padres never tried to re-sign catcher Ramon Hernandez. He has mentioned many times that he would like to come back to San Diego. Shouldn't the Padres at least have made an attempt to bring him back? What are they thinking? -- Ismael Hernandez, San Diego
Management concluded fairly quickly, it appears, that Hernandez's market value was significantly higher than they were willing to go. It remains to be seen what the Mets or another club will offer Ramon, but you're right, he's happy in San Diego and would like to return.
The Padres feel that catching is one of their organizational strengths now with two of their premier prospects -- George Kottaras and Nicholas Hundley -- not too far away from the Major Leagues. I think they're confident with Miguel Olivo for the time being, and they should be.
In Olivo's 37 games behind the plate with the Friars in '05, the staff ERA was 3.64. With Hernandez, in 99 games, it was 4.07. Olivo batted .304 with a .487 slugging mark, compared to .290 and .450, respectively, by Ramon. I'm not saying Olivo is better than Hernandez -- just that he's not as far away from Ramon as a lot of people think.
What are the Padres' chances of re-signing free agents Robert Fick and Mark Sweeney? -- Eric F., Encinitas, Calif.
Sweeney is getting interest from some heavyweights: the Mets, Giants and Cardinals. If that inflates the financial significantly, it probably diminishes his chances of returning to the Padres.
Something should be worked out with Fick, given his versatility and team-first attitude. Fick flourished as a pinch-hitter and was invaluable in a variety of positions, including catcher.
What are the chances of Josh Barfield becoming a starter next year? If so, what position could he take over? -- Robert C., San Diego
Second base belongs to Mark Loretta, and Barfield doesn't have the experience to start anywhere else. He has paid his Triple-A dues and merits a spot on the 25-man roster with a solid Spring Training, though. He can hit and run, so he should be a nice role player until he is ready to start, perhaps in '07.
With Hoffman testing free agency, Clay Hensley possibly entering the starting rotation, and both Rudy Seanez and Chris Hammond still unsigned, how will Towers go about rebuilding a bullpen that may have been the Padres' biggest strength last season? -- Simon C., Escondido, Calif.
They hope Seanez will be back, and scholarly southpaw Craig Breslow looks like a solid middle reliever. Chan Ho Park, Oxspring and Stauffer are long relief candidates if they don't crack the rotation. Scott Linebrink and Akinori Otsuka are solid, and top draft pick Cesar Carrillo could be a major factor around midseason, like Hensley in '05.
How serious do you think the Padres are about trading Adam Eaton? He was having a breakout year until his injury this last season. -- Jeremy G., Fallbrook, Calif.
I can't see them moving Eaton unless they get an offer they can't refuse, one likely involving gifted young athletes or a proven threat for the middle of the order.
Do you expect the Pads to go after some free agent starters or do we have some prospects in the Minors that we feel can move into our MLB rotation? -- Mike K., San Carlos, Calif.
I think they'd like to bring back Pedro Astacio for a reasonable price, about $1.5 million, and plug him into the rotation along with Hensley and Woody Williams behind Peavy and Eaton, with Park, Stauffer and Oxspring also candidates.
Then there's David Wells, who wants out of Boston and longs to be home. Where there's so much smoke, there's usually a fire. It would be nice to slide a lefty into the middle of the rotation -- especially one as talented as Boomer, even in his 40s.
Source: http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/
The questions -- and suggestions -- keep rolling in, like big breakers. Please send your queries to beat writer Lyle Spencer, including your first name, last initial and hometown. For all those concerned about PETCO Park's dimensions being altered, it won't be significant. This will still be a park pitchers love and hitters aren't crazy about.
Here's a proposal for GM Kevin Towers to present to Trevor Hoffman: three years guaranteed at $5 million each year, with a $1 million bonus for 40-44 saves per season, another $1 million for 45-49 saves and another $1 million for 50-plus saves -- plus a $3 million bonus for breaking the all-time saves record (he's 42 shy of Lee Smith's record 478). The maximum would be $27 million, but more likely would be $21 million to $24 million. Doesn't that sound fair? -- Mike H., Escondido, Calif.
It's creative and does sound fair to me, but how it would play with Padres management -- and Hoffy -- is not known. I do like your effort. It shows how deeply loyalists want to see the anchor back in PETCO Park.
If Brian Giles doesn't return, how do the Padres plan to replace him? -- Jim N., Nevada, Mo.
Plan A appears to be free agent Jacque Jones of the Twins, who would play right field, with Ben Johnson, Eric Young and Dave Roberts (pending trades) sharing left and Mike Cameron in center. Johnson also could platoon in right with Jones, who has had problems with southpaw pitching.
If there's a Plan B, it could be another free agent, Jeromy Burnitz. Like Jones, Burnitz is a local kid who made good, and the Padres have tried to acquire his loud left-handed bat and solid defense in the past. He'll be 37 on April 15, and PETCO Park would frustrate him as it has Ryan Klesko and Giles, but the team does play 81 road games.
There should be appealing trade options, notably with the Reds. They have muscular Wily Mo Pena and Austin Kearns, an expendable pair of right-handed weapons, and a crying need for pitching. The Dec. 5-8 Winter Meetings in Dallas should be fascinating.
I'm a huge fan of Khalil Greene, and I think he is due to have a breakout year. Will the Padres wait for him to develop into the All-Star shortstop he will become? -- Stephen M., Washington, D.C.
Towers likes to say that nobody is untouchable, that he'll listen to offers for anyone -- but Greene and Jake Peavy are virtually untouchable. Khalil is the real deal, all right. He's a pure talent, offensively and defensively, with a high ceiling given his work ethic and sense of purpose.
If he can just avoid the fractures that have dogged him his first two seasons, he's ready to emerge as one of the two or three best in the National League, in a class with players such as Rafael Furcal and Jimmy Rollins.
What do you think of the Padres' trade for Bobby Hill? What is their plan for him for 2006? -- Paul K., Farmingdale, Maine
A switch-hitter with good speed and excellent plate discipline, Hill gives the club more options off the bench. He can play second or third, but with the club's depth at second, he appears likely to see most of his time in support of Vinny Castilla.
It's not hard to see Hill playing a game or two a week at third, and he can lead off, if necessary. Young, returning to his all-purpose backup role, is another leadoff candidate. Young gives the team an aggressive, dynamic presence it needs on the field, and he's a leader in the clubhouse.
Since the Reds have a lot of outfielders, including powerful hitters Wily Mo Pena and Adam Dunn, have the Padres considered trading one/two of their young pitchers (Chris Oxspring, Tim Stauffer) for one of them? Both have really cranked the ball in PETCO. -- Loren C., San Diego
I can't see the Reds parting with Dunn, but Pena and Kearns would have to be available for the right return -- and the Padres do have a surplus of pitching. For Oxspring, in particular, it could be a blessing, getting a chance to start.
I am really curious to know why the Padres never tried to re-sign catcher Ramon Hernandez. He has mentioned many times that he would like to come back to San Diego. Shouldn't the Padres at least have made an attempt to bring him back? What are they thinking? -- Ismael Hernandez, San Diego
Management concluded fairly quickly, it appears, that Hernandez's market value was significantly higher than they were willing to go. It remains to be seen what the Mets or another club will offer Ramon, but you're right, he's happy in San Diego and would like to return.
The Padres feel that catching is one of their organizational strengths now with two of their premier prospects -- George Kottaras and Nicholas Hundley -- not too far away from the Major Leagues. I think they're confident with Miguel Olivo for the time being, and they should be.
In Olivo's 37 games behind the plate with the Friars in '05, the staff ERA was 3.64. With Hernandez, in 99 games, it was 4.07. Olivo batted .304 with a .487 slugging mark, compared to .290 and .450, respectively, by Ramon. I'm not saying Olivo is better than Hernandez -- just that he's not as far away from Ramon as a lot of people think.
What are the Padres' chances of re-signing free agents Robert Fick and Mark Sweeney? -- Eric F., Encinitas, Calif.
Sweeney is getting interest from some heavyweights: the Mets, Giants and Cardinals. If that inflates the financial significantly, it probably diminishes his chances of returning to the Padres.
Something should be worked out with Fick, given his versatility and team-first attitude. Fick flourished as a pinch-hitter and was invaluable in a variety of positions, including catcher.
What are the chances of Josh Barfield becoming a starter next year? If so, what position could he take over? -- Robert C., San Diego
Second base belongs to Mark Loretta, and Barfield doesn't have the experience to start anywhere else. He has paid his Triple-A dues and merits a spot on the 25-man roster with a solid Spring Training, though. He can hit and run, so he should be a nice role player until he is ready to start, perhaps in '07.
With Hoffman testing free agency, Clay Hensley possibly entering the starting rotation, and both Rudy Seanez and Chris Hammond still unsigned, how will Towers go about rebuilding a bullpen that may have been the Padres' biggest strength last season? -- Simon C., Escondido, Calif.
They hope Seanez will be back, and scholarly southpaw Craig Breslow looks like a solid middle reliever. Chan Ho Park, Oxspring and Stauffer are long relief candidates if they don't crack the rotation. Scott Linebrink and Akinori Otsuka are solid, and top draft pick Cesar Carrillo could be a major factor around midseason, like Hensley in '05.
How serious do you think the Padres are about trading Adam Eaton? He was having a breakout year until his injury this last season. -- Jeremy G., Fallbrook, Calif.
I can't see them moving Eaton unless they get an offer they can't refuse, one likely involving gifted young athletes or a proven threat for the middle of the order.
Do you expect the Pads to go after some free agent starters or do we have some prospects in the Minors that we feel can move into our MLB rotation? -- Mike K., San Carlos, Calif.
I think they'd like to bring back Pedro Astacio for a reasonable price, about $1.5 million, and plug him into the rotation along with Hensley and Woody Williams behind Peavy and Eaton, with Park, Stauffer and Oxspring also candidates.
Then there's David Wells, who wants out of Boston and longs to be home. Where there's so much smoke, there's usually a fire. It would be nice to slide a lefty into the middle of the rotation -- especially one as talented as Boomer, even in his 40s.
Source: http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/
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