Mailbag: Will trade pay off for Padres?
11/21/2005
Mike Cameron is the new Padres' center fielder, joining third baseman Vinny Castilla in a reshaped lineup. Many more moves await in the weeks ahead with free agency a major story still unfolding, the future up in the air for Trevor Hoffman, Brian Giles, Ramon Hernandez and six other Padres free agents. Please send your questions to beat writer Lyle Spencer, and be sure to include your first name, last initial and hometown.
Do you think this Cameron for Xavier Nady deal will really help the Padres? They have basically the same numbers. Except for the experience and defense, Nady has more potential and can become a Jason Bay kind of player in time. -- Rene M., Tijuana, B.C.
There certainly is some risk in this deal, but it's one the Padres had to make. Cameron will improve their defense dramatically at a vital position, plus he has 25-homer power, speed on the bases and a certain presence that can't be quantified. Nady might blossom into a consistent power threat like Bay, but it didn't happen in San Diego.
I really like Nady. He's a versatile, talented player with a lot of potential. But Cameron is a proven talent with few peers in center field. It's interesting that so many Padres fans don't like this deal. Almost every baseball insider I know thinks it was a steal for San Diego.
Only time will tell, of course, but if you want to see the Padres successfully defend their NL West title, you want Cameron in center field.
What are the chances of Freddy Guzman making the Padres' starting outfield next year? He's currently a designated hitter for Estrellas in the Dominican League (rehabbing from his elbow surgery) and is an offensive force. He's super fast, and haven't the Padres said they'd like two center fielders in the outfield? -- Josh L., Los Angeles, Calif.
Yes, general manager Kevin Towers did make that comment. A switch-hitter who can fly and run down balls like Guzman should be able to find playing time if he hits at all.
Guzman missed the entire 2005 season, but the Padres are well aware of his potential and would love to see him force his way onto the roster with a big Spring Training performance.
The makeup of the outfield is unresolved at this point. We'll know a lot more soon, after Giles decides where he wants to play.
Do you think the Rockies might be amenable to swapping Todd Helton for Adam Eaton and Ryan Klesko? -- Dennis B., Spring Valley, Calif.
In baseball terms, it does make sense. Helton is a great first baseman who has tasted success at PETCO Park, while Klesko tears it up in Denver and Eaton would enrich the Rockies' staff.
But there are serious obstacles. Helton makes $16 million, so including Klesko's $10 million for '06 would be an essential component from the Padres' end. But it's doubtful Klesko would waive his no-trade clause.
The altitude has been damaging to breaking-ball pitchers such as the late Darryl Kile, so you can guess how Eaton, whose big curve complements his fastball, would feel about moving to Denver. He'll be eligible for free agency after the '06 season if the Padres don't extend him, and they'd have a hard time replacing him in the rotation unless they acquired David Wells.
Do you think a solid lefty would make a difference in the starting rotation? If so, would you bring up a prospect or search the market? -- Philip B., Sacramento, Calif.
Wells is the name frequently mentioned, since he wants to come home and could back the Red Sox into a corner by telling them it's San Diego or he'll retire.
Boomer is still a craftsman who'd help any staff. But giving two aging starters -- Wells and Woody Williams -- about $20 million combined sounds over the top, unless the Padres can get the Sox to take some salary back in a trade. Other possibilities exist in the market, but none of the Padres' young lefties appear ready.
I understand Kevin Towers and Sandy Alderson wanting to be careful how they allocate the budget, but Trevor is Trevor. Three years may be too much, but given all he means to the fans and the community, can't they see the wisdom in offering something like a two-year, $15 million dollar contract? -- Glen M., Oceanside, Calif.
That sounds reasonable to me, but it's not my money. Hey, I'm with you all the way. I don't want to see Hoffman in any other uniform. But I've never been very good with budgets, and I doubt that management cares much about my input, anyway.
If the Padres don't resign Giles, what's the chance they would pursue Jacque Jones for a corner outfield spot? He does have a background in San Diego. -- Marquis B., San Diego
I'd say there's a very good chance they'd try to sign Jones to play right, with Ben Johnson and Dave Roberts in left, if Giles departs.
This brings up an interesting question: Would you rather have Giles -- or Hoffman and Jones? Judging by the numbers I've heard thrown around, you might be able to get Hoffman and Jones for close to what Giles will command if the Yankees decide they really, truly want him.
Why not go after Jason Phillips from the Dodgers, a hometown boy who's a hard-nosed catcher? -- John T., San Diego
You're right, Phillips is a fine player with an excellent attitude. But the last thing the Dodgers would do is make a deal that would help the Padres -- unless they felt they were stealing somebody.
Source: http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/
Mike Cameron is the new Padres' center fielder, joining third baseman Vinny Castilla in a reshaped lineup. Many more moves await in the weeks ahead with free agency a major story still unfolding, the future up in the air for Trevor Hoffman, Brian Giles, Ramon Hernandez and six other Padres free agents. Please send your questions to beat writer Lyle Spencer, and be sure to include your first name, last initial and hometown.
Do you think this Cameron for Xavier Nady deal will really help the Padres? They have basically the same numbers. Except for the experience and defense, Nady has more potential and can become a Jason Bay kind of player in time. -- Rene M., Tijuana, B.C.
There certainly is some risk in this deal, but it's one the Padres had to make. Cameron will improve their defense dramatically at a vital position, plus he has 25-homer power, speed on the bases and a certain presence that can't be quantified. Nady might blossom into a consistent power threat like Bay, but it didn't happen in San Diego.
I really like Nady. He's a versatile, talented player with a lot of potential. But Cameron is a proven talent with few peers in center field. It's interesting that so many Padres fans don't like this deal. Almost every baseball insider I know thinks it was a steal for San Diego.
Only time will tell, of course, but if you want to see the Padres successfully defend their NL West title, you want Cameron in center field.
What are the chances of Freddy Guzman making the Padres' starting outfield next year? He's currently a designated hitter for Estrellas in the Dominican League (rehabbing from his elbow surgery) and is an offensive force. He's super fast, and haven't the Padres said they'd like two center fielders in the outfield? -- Josh L., Los Angeles, Calif.
Yes, general manager Kevin Towers did make that comment. A switch-hitter who can fly and run down balls like Guzman should be able to find playing time if he hits at all.
Guzman missed the entire 2005 season, but the Padres are well aware of his potential and would love to see him force his way onto the roster with a big Spring Training performance.
The makeup of the outfield is unresolved at this point. We'll know a lot more soon, after Giles decides where he wants to play.
Do you think the Rockies might be amenable to swapping Todd Helton for Adam Eaton and Ryan Klesko? -- Dennis B., Spring Valley, Calif.
In baseball terms, it does make sense. Helton is a great first baseman who has tasted success at PETCO Park, while Klesko tears it up in Denver and Eaton would enrich the Rockies' staff.
But there are serious obstacles. Helton makes $16 million, so including Klesko's $10 million for '06 would be an essential component from the Padres' end. But it's doubtful Klesko would waive his no-trade clause.
The altitude has been damaging to breaking-ball pitchers such as the late Darryl Kile, so you can guess how Eaton, whose big curve complements his fastball, would feel about moving to Denver. He'll be eligible for free agency after the '06 season if the Padres don't extend him, and they'd have a hard time replacing him in the rotation unless they acquired David Wells.
Do you think a solid lefty would make a difference in the starting rotation? If so, would you bring up a prospect or search the market? -- Philip B., Sacramento, Calif.
Wells is the name frequently mentioned, since he wants to come home and could back the Red Sox into a corner by telling them it's San Diego or he'll retire.
Boomer is still a craftsman who'd help any staff. But giving two aging starters -- Wells and Woody Williams -- about $20 million combined sounds over the top, unless the Padres can get the Sox to take some salary back in a trade. Other possibilities exist in the market, but none of the Padres' young lefties appear ready.
I understand Kevin Towers and Sandy Alderson wanting to be careful how they allocate the budget, but Trevor is Trevor. Three years may be too much, but given all he means to the fans and the community, can't they see the wisdom in offering something like a two-year, $15 million dollar contract? -- Glen M., Oceanside, Calif.
That sounds reasonable to me, but it's not my money. Hey, I'm with you all the way. I don't want to see Hoffman in any other uniform. But I've never been very good with budgets, and I doubt that management cares much about my input, anyway.
If the Padres don't resign Giles, what's the chance they would pursue Jacque Jones for a corner outfield spot? He does have a background in San Diego. -- Marquis B., San Diego
I'd say there's a very good chance they'd try to sign Jones to play right, with Ben Johnson and Dave Roberts in left, if Giles departs.
This brings up an interesting question: Would you rather have Giles -- or Hoffman and Jones? Judging by the numbers I've heard thrown around, you might be able to get Hoffman and Jones for close to what Giles will command if the Yankees decide they really, truly want him.
Why not go after Jason Phillips from the Dodgers, a hometown boy who's a hard-nosed catcher? -- John T., San Diego
You're right, Phillips is a fine player with an excellent attitude. But the last thing the Dodgers would do is make a deal that would help the Padres -- unless they felt they were stealing somebody.
Source: http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/
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