Tender Cuts

Wednesday night was baseballs deadline for tendering contracts to arbitration eligible players. The Padres have decided to non tender two of their mid season Astros' acquisitions, in 3rd baseman Morgan Ensberg and OF Jason Lane. The Friars also cut ties with pitchers Jack Cassell and Ryan Ketchner, although Cassell and Ketchner are expected to be offered minor league contracts.

Other players that were non tendered across the league of note to the Friars include a group of pitchers that were connected at one point or another this off season to San Diego. Starters Mark Prior and Josh Towers have officially hit the free agent market and a bullpen arm of note that is now available is, former Friar, Aki Otsuka. The other position that might interest the Pads is catcher (especially a defensive minded back-stop). Former Padre Miguel Olivo, and Johnny Estrada have hit the open market; if the Padres end up moving Michael Barrett I would expect to see Olivo get a long look.

I would like to see Kevin Towers bring in either Prior or Towers to round out the rotation and FF would love to see Aki back in the fold as he, Heath Bell, and all time saves leader Hoffman would shorten games to 6 innings in 2008. I have a feeling the price will be right, and we all saw that both mark Prior and Aki Otsuka have expressed their willingness to play for the Padres.