Hillenbrand in the fold

In what can only be described as a flurry of moves Kevin Towers, the Padres very active GM, has signed 2 time All-Star Shea Hillenbrand to a minor league contract. The Padres have been extremely successful in making low risk acquisitions and this is another in that line. Hillenbrand is a right handed, power hitting corner infielder who (if called up) can give Adrian Gonzalez a day off at first and can be an alternative to rookie Kevin Kouzmanoff at 3rd.
In Kevin Towers' most active mid-season turnover, he has addressed some problems that have plagued this team in 2007. KT has improved this team at the catching position with Michael Barrett as well as finding a difference making outfielder in Milton Bradley. Towers then filled the needs of speed and right handed batters off the bench with a duo of deals. While Shea Hillenbrand will begin with AAA Portland, Scott Hairston will join San Diego on Saturday. Hairston is a speedy, right handed batter who plays all three outfield positions and broke into the major leagues as a second baseman. If the Padres can't swing a deal for a Mark Lorretta type player, maybe Scott Hairston gets some playing time at 2nd.