Multiple Moves Provide Clarity

The Padres are a decision away from officially announcing their 25 man opening day roster. The Friars cleared up some confusion earlier this week by optioning Chase Headley, Shawn Estes, and Oscar Robles to AAA. It appears that non roster invitees Glendon Rusch and Jody Gerut have made the club as their contracts were purchased from Portland on Wednesday. That same day, the Padres added a player to the mix when they traded for Justin Huber of the Kansas City Royals. In exchange the Padres sent the infamous player to be named later or cash. The right handed 25 year old Australian is out of minor league options and will be on the roster to provide manager Bud Black with a right handed bat off the pine.

The Huber move forced Padres brass to option infielder Luis Rodriguez to AAA, leaving only Callix Crabbe to back up at 2nd, 3rd, and short. The official 25 will be known when the Padres figure out what they are going to do with the recovering Jim Edmonds, who played in a minor league game today with success at the plate (couple of hits, including a HR). Assuming that Edmonds needs a little more time to fully heal his calf strain the Friars will break camp with a surplus of outfielders including Brian Giles, Scott Hairston, Paul McAnulty, Jody Gerut, and Justin Huber (Callix Crabbe can also play OF). FF wonders who will be the odd man out once the veteran center fielder returns; besides the possibility of a trade the Friars would only have Jody Gerut with any minor league options left.

The pitching staff is a much easier puzzle to piece together. The starting rotation is now set with Jake Peavy, Chris Young, Greg Maddux, Randy Wolf, and Justin Germano. The bullpen battle raged until late in the spring, but FF has seen Kevin Bass get sent down to Portland Tuesday followed by 2007's feel good story, Rule V draftee Kevin Cameron, join him Wednesday. The Friars will also begin the season with 3 relievers on the 15 disabled list in Carlos Guevara (groin), Clay Hensley (shoulder strain), and lefty Justin Hampson (shoulder tendinitis) . Coming out of the left-center field bullpen for the Padres this year will be all time saves leader Trevor Hoffman, set up men Heath Bell, and Cla Meredith. The back end of the pen will be joined by southpaws; Glendon Rusch, Wil Ledezma, and Joe Thatcher. The bullpen will be rounded out by right handed Enrique Gonzalez, who was a long shot to break camp with the big boys.

Barring any additional moves the 2008 Padres appear to be set with 13 position players, 12 pitchers and 8 new Padres. While these are the Friars who will begin the season opposite the Houston Astros on March 31, FF knows this roster will not look too similar come October...And maybe not even a week from now!