Mailbag: Will 'X' man play third?
11/14/2005
The response has been overwhelming from Padres fans brimming with suggestions and questions for management in the afterglow of a roller-coaster ride of a 2005 season. We'll try to get to as many e-mails as possible that address widely expressed concerns. Please try to keep your questions fairly brief and always include your first name, last initial and hometown.
Is Xavier Nady at third base an option? It is high time we see what X can do with a full season. He hit most of his homers against right-handed pitching, but he mostly played against lefties. -- Jason M., La Mesa, Calif.
The Padres apparently have decided that Nady is a first baseman or corner outfielder, not a third baseman. There is a strong groundswell of support for Nady as an everyday player among fans, with good reason.
There are few players in the game with as much raw power as Nady. You're right -- it's time to find out what he can do playing every day, not looking over his shoulder. He could be dealt for a proven player, but that could come back to haunt the club.
Is there any credence to the rumors that the Padres may take Steve Finley back to finish his career? If Ryan Klesko leaves, we could have a hole in the outfield that Finley would fill nicely.-- Julie J., San Diego
This is a potential straight-up swap -- Finley for Klesko -- that could work to everyone's advantage if the money issues could be ironed out. Finley slumped badly in 2005, as did Klesko in the second half, and a change of scenery could do wonders for both men.
Klesko would have to waive his contractual veto right, but for Anaheim, and a chance to play for a World Series contender, he might be convinced it's the right thing to go DH and save wear and tear on his shoulder and back. Finley keeps himself in great shape and can still play center field.
How about getting someone who likes to hit at PETCO Park, like Randy Winn, Reggie Sanders or J.T. Snow? We have a good blend of veterans and talented youth. Snow or Sanders could really add to that dynamic. -- Jeffrey C., Vista, Calif.
Interesting thought. Sanders certainly moves around, and he can pull the ball out of any park. Snow fits the same profile: experienced talent, good guy in a clubhouse. J.T. would save a lot of errors at first, where he's as good as anybody, and he's an underrated hitter. Winn will be back with the Giants.
Will the Padres do anything to bring Hank Blalock home from the Rangers? We have plenty of guys to trade, and Hank's bat will win way more games than someone like Adam Eaton's pitching or Sean Burroughs' hitting.-- Grayson A., Solana Beach, Calif.
Blalock could be on the block as the Rangers continue their never-ending pursuit of pitching. His value as a power threat, quality glove at third and drawing card is evident. But I'd hate to sacrifice Eaton, and so would the Padres. He was on his way to 18-20 wins when he injured his finger.
How much are the Padres willing to spend next year? Is there any way they can get out of paying these huge salaries to players who do not deserve them? -- Tracy L.V., Las Vegas
From most indications, they'll try to keep the salary ceiling around $70 million, which means the arrival of a big name is unlikely. As for players with huge contracts, generally the only way to unload them is for a similar contract -- unless you can interest the Yankees.
Why are the Padres not being aggressive in trying to re-sign Hoffman? He is almost automatic. Furthermore, the fans and community love him. Are the Padres trying to find cheaper help for the closer role?--John G., San Diego
One theory is they'd like to see what the market sets as his value and then determine if he's worth that figure to them. They have great admiration for Hoffman, but feel they're covered if he leaves with Scott Linebrink, who has closer stuff and appears to have the attitude to succeed in that role.
Source: http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/
The response has been overwhelming from Padres fans brimming with suggestions and questions for management in the afterglow of a roller-coaster ride of a 2005 season. We'll try to get to as many e-mails as possible that address widely expressed concerns. Please try to keep your questions fairly brief and always include your first name, last initial and hometown.
Is Xavier Nady at third base an option? It is high time we see what X can do with a full season. He hit most of his homers against right-handed pitching, but he mostly played against lefties. -- Jason M., La Mesa, Calif.
The Padres apparently have decided that Nady is a first baseman or corner outfielder, not a third baseman. There is a strong groundswell of support for Nady as an everyday player among fans, with good reason.
There are few players in the game with as much raw power as Nady. You're right -- it's time to find out what he can do playing every day, not looking over his shoulder. He could be dealt for a proven player, but that could come back to haunt the club.
Is there any credence to the rumors that the Padres may take Steve Finley back to finish his career? If Ryan Klesko leaves, we could have a hole in the outfield that Finley would fill nicely.-- Julie J., San Diego
This is a potential straight-up swap -- Finley for Klesko -- that could work to everyone's advantage if the money issues could be ironed out. Finley slumped badly in 2005, as did Klesko in the second half, and a change of scenery could do wonders for both men.
Klesko would have to waive his contractual veto right, but for Anaheim, and a chance to play for a World Series contender, he might be convinced it's the right thing to go DH and save wear and tear on his shoulder and back. Finley keeps himself in great shape and can still play center field.
How about getting someone who likes to hit at PETCO Park, like Randy Winn, Reggie Sanders or J.T. Snow? We have a good blend of veterans and talented youth. Snow or Sanders could really add to that dynamic. -- Jeffrey C., Vista, Calif.
Interesting thought. Sanders certainly moves around, and he can pull the ball out of any park. Snow fits the same profile: experienced talent, good guy in a clubhouse. J.T. would save a lot of errors at first, where he's as good as anybody, and he's an underrated hitter. Winn will be back with the Giants.
Will the Padres do anything to bring Hank Blalock home from the Rangers? We have plenty of guys to trade, and Hank's bat will win way more games than someone like Adam Eaton's pitching or Sean Burroughs' hitting.-- Grayson A., Solana Beach, Calif.
Blalock could be on the block as the Rangers continue their never-ending pursuit of pitching. His value as a power threat, quality glove at third and drawing card is evident. But I'd hate to sacrifice Eaton, and so would the Padres. He was on his way to 18-20 wins when he injured his finger.
How much are the Padres willing to spend next year? Is there any way they can get out of paying these huge salaries to players who do not deserve them? -- Tracy L.V., Las Vegas
From most indications, they'll try to keep the salary ceiling around $70 million, which means the arrival of a big name is unlikely. As for players with huge contracts, generally the only way to unload them is for a similar contract -- unless you can interest the Yankees.
Why are the Padres not being aggressive in trying to re-sign Hoffman? He is almost automatic. Furthermore, the fans and community love him. Are the Padres trying to find cheaper help for the closer role?--John G., San Diego
One theory is they'd like to see what the market sets as his value and then determine if he's worth that figure to them. They have great admiration for Hoffman, but feel they're covered if he leaves with Scott Linebrink, who has closer stuff and appears to have the attitude to succeed in that role.
Source: http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/
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