Hoffman Boos Really About Franchise

The recent advent of boos directed at future Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman are disheartening. FF does not support this behavior - not one bit. With that out of the way - we suggest that Hoffy was not the target of the boo birds. It was the organization. Michael Barrett figured it out in the previously linked Union-Tribute article:

I thought they were booing all of us.

Mr. Barrett - go to the head of the class. There is something deeply wrong with the 2008 ball club. There is plenty of blame to go around. The bullpen has been awful. Hitting has been atrocious - at times it seems like hitters actually think that goal of the game is to strikeout more than the other team. Managerial decisions have been all over the place. Remember when Josh Bard could hit? We do, and we don't think it is a coincidence that the catchers and bullpen have suffered from an American League-style of managing where certain players are called upon far too often. The front office also plays a prominent role. But none of these gripes is the real problem with the team.

There isn't enough anger from players, coaches, or the front office over the team's lackluster play. It's true that Kevin Towers got angry a while back (and the team actually seemed to respond). But the reaction to boo birds seems to cut to the heart of the matter. To his credit, Hoffman said the right thing:

"I've got to make a better pitch"

Meanwhile, a number of other team members commented that the boo-ers basically lacked class. This is true. But those folks all need to take a page from Hoffman's book and focus on improving. FF believes that team doesn't have a fire lit under their collective butts. If they do, maybe that should express it more. Fans may still boo, but at least we'd all know that the players are more frustrated than the fans. About their, play, not manners.

Atrocious; What's Next?

Even Jake Peavy can't cure the Padres' current ills. The staff ace allowed three runs over six innings with six punch outs to take a 9-2 loss against the Mariners. The club has not won a game in over a week (6/20) and one has to go back more than two weeks to find a second win (6/14). If everyone is being honest with themselves, there is no reason to continue on in their current incarnation. Even if they hit a major hot streak and win the horrid NL West, they would be trounced in the playoffs. After reportedly still standing on the fence 10 days ago, the likelihood of front office mailing in a veteran-lead comeback is increasing. For instance, the Union-Tribune yesterday suggested that there is too much financial benefit to dump contracts, such as Randy Wolf's:

The Padres stand to save $1.6 million in salary, plus an additional $175,000 per start if they deal Wolf in late July. With the club preparing to spend several million dollars on foreign amateurs by Wednesday, future savings might be welcomed.

FF would welcome this change of pace. In fact, we see as much or more upside to the strategy - both in terms of current and future success. Outside of one or two guys, it's quite possible that lessor known players will provide as much or more upside compared to current Padre regulars. For instance, we don't see Tad Iguchi unseating Edgar Gonzalez anytime soon. Little-big brother Gonzalez is providing better returns than Iguchi this season, and would seem to be a cheap, effective alternative to pushing Matt Antonelli for 2009. Expect Kevin Towers to to wait until the trading deadline draws near to maximize his leverage. In the meantime, any chance we can find more Gonzalez brothers?

Tomko Back, Padres Lose 6th Straight

The San Diego Padres gave Friar fans a familiar feeling Friday night by losing to the Seattle Mariners 5-2 and bring Brett Tomko back for a 3rd tour of duty. The Friars made room for Tomko by sending lefty Justin Hampson to AAA Portland. FF can't get too excited about this move, but not only does Tomko provide Bud Black a swing-man in the bullpen he may also gift SD with an additional draft pick next summer.

FF feels the pain of all Padres fans. What has made this season more difficult than the horrendous record of 32-49 is the fact that the Padres are bringing up the rear in the worst division in baseball. If the Friars are a distant last in this weak division, exactly how bad are they? We'd invest in puts if we had the chance.

At Least They're Consistant

The San Diego Padres lost yet another chance to pick up a game in the weak NL West to remain 8 games back and drop to 14 games under .500. The Friars 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Twins was not unlike countless other games this season. Tuesday's game marked off all the usual boxes to insure that Frair fans know they are watching the Padres.

The checklist typically includes:

Wasted solid outing by a starter check (Jake Peavy's 6 innings and 1 run earned him a no decision)

Total lack of offense check (1 run on 7 singles and failures in the hit and run and bunting aspects of the sport, not to mention the ridiculously high strikeout rate)

Bullpen collapse check (Trevor Hoffman gave up homers with 2 outs on consecutive pitches in the 9th to take his 5th loss of the season)

Managerial short comings check (Hoffman does not pitch well in non save situations, never has. FF knows this why is Black slow on the uptake?)

Catchers inability to control baserunners wow (Not an issue in Tuesday's game, infact Barrett threw out a runner to end the 8th)

Kouz on the Block?

CBS Sports is reporting both of the following rumors:

• Rumor: Kevin Towers may be a fit for the recently vacated Seattle Mariners GM spot, given his ties to the region and misalignment with Sandy Alderson.
  
• Rumor: Kevin Kouzmanoff will be unloaded to open up the hot corner for Chase Headley due to concerns that Headley can't cover enough ground in left field.

FF isn't really concerned with the first rumor. The Padres organization seems to be run by committee a this point. The Padre's front office seems to be the First Wives Club of former General Managers. Employed in front office's army are Sandy Alderson (A's and current Padres CEO), Randy Smith (Padres, Tigers) and Paul DePodesta (Dodgers) and Grady Fuson (Assistant GM for the Rangers). We doubt any change in GM would impact the organization too much.

In terms of Kouz, addition by subtraction doesn't seem like a great strategy at this point. Given the Padres' desire for cheap players, a trade would have to be for someone less than or equal to Kouz. This scenario will seem much more plausible if Kouz heats up, the Padres wind down, and a playoff team with a deep farm system finds themselves in desperate need of a third baseman.

Pads Bullpen Cracks Again

The Padres squandered yet another game in this lackluster 2008 season, this time dropping a Saturday night contest to Detroit Tigers 7-5. Brian Giles, who has been playing very well this season, sat out the evening, with Edgar Gonzales sliding into the 3 hole. Paul McAnulty took over in right field. Cha Seung Baek had his moments, both good and bad, though he wasn't helped by a Magglio Ordonez homer that centerfielder Jody Gerut accidentally pushed over the wall while bracing for contact. At the end of the day, Justin Hampson would surrender a bomb to Marcus Thames, who has now hit home runs in 8 of his last 9 at bats. Long story short - we've seen this game numerous times this season. The Friars must right their ship to regain the form that had led what seemed like it would be a successful June.

Friar Fragments:

• Michael Barrett continued to show signs of heating up, hitting his second bomb of the season.
• Heralded rookie Chase Headley captured another hit, accounting for a 5 game mini-hitting streak. He also punched out twice, bring his total to 8 in 20 at bats (vs. 7 hits). We're sure that Chase will cut down the number of strikeouts, but its a scary proposition for a .300 hitter to strikeout more than he hits. Nonetheless, Headley is sporting a 1.050 OPS since being called up from AAA Portland.
  
• Headley manned third base again while Kevin Kouzmanoff continues to recover from a stiff back.
• Gerut had another solid night at the plate, accumulating three base knocks to pull his average to .278
• Giles was out of the lineup due to a sore hamstring, rather than the balky shoulder that required an MRI last week.
  

300

FF would like to thank our readers for their support as we reached our 300th post in less than a year of operation. While this season has been a bit of a challenge given the lackluster play of the team, we still enjoy the outlet and discussions that result from FF posts. Hopefully we'll have some more interesting items to blog about than the same basic loss, over and over. We think the team will turn it around or the fire sale will begin. Either way, things promise to get more interesting with the Friars franchise.

Friars Run Out Of The Bronx

The Padres spoiled another solid start by Josh Banks who gave up just 2 runs and was on the wrong side of a 2-1 tally. The Friars could not cash in during the 2nd inning after loading the bases with no outs. Two strike outs and a runner cut down at the plate on a passed ball helped the Yankees escape the inning and preserve the 3 game sweep.


Friar Facts


The Yankees scored their first run without the benefit of a hit as a walk and 2 stolen bases set up a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 1. The game winning run was also scored after Derek Jeter stole second and scored on A Rod single. The Padres catchers are, once again, a distant last in throwing out base runners. The Padres have allowed 98 of 111 runner to steal successfully. The 98 SB's against is 29 more than the second worst in baseball.

KT Staying In San Diego

The Padres Sandy Alderson put a quick stop to the notions that Kevin Towers was on the Seattle Mariners short list to fill their newly vacant General Manager position. Alderson said that the Mariners have not called, and if a call from the northwest was placed KT would not be granted permission to speak to them regarding the job. Rumors where spinning as the there is a popular sentiment that Towers has lost some power in the Alderson regime. It most likely did not help that the Padres gave Towers the green light a few years back to interview with division rival Arizona. KT did throw his name in the hat, but the Diamondbacks decided to go a different direction.

Bombs Not Enough In Bronx

Three late solo homers San Diego's Brian Giles, Adrian Gonzalez, and Chase Headley weren't enough to overcome a short (4 innings) start by Jake Peavy and a bullpen who allowed the Yanks to keep adding on. The Pads drop Wednesday 8-5 in New York. The Friars conclude their 2 city road trip tomorrow morning and hope to pick up a second win prior to returning to Petco. Josh Banks matches up opposite the much hyped Joba Chamberline.

Friar Facts

Chase Headley's bomb was the first homer and RBI of his young, promising career. Headley filled in for the injured Kevin Kouzmanoff at third base while Paul McAnulty roamed left.

Giles and Gonzalez went back to back with 2 outs in the 7th inning.

Yanks Blank Friars

The New York Yankees played longball en route to their 8-0 victory to open a 3 game set against the visiting Padres Tuesday night. Randy Wolf missed with location through the night and the Friars played some sloppy defense behind him, but it was the New York pitchers lead by Andy Pettitte that controlled the ballgame. Padres Chase Headley collected a couple of singles in his 2008 debut and slid up to the 6th slot in the order after Kevin Kouzmanoff was a late scratch due to a balky back (Kouz is day to day at this point). The Friars send Jake Peavy to the hill in Wednesday's contest to try to even the series.

FF Facts:

The Padres had 7 hits Tuesday, all singles.

A foul ball into the seats Tuesday caught a group of Padres fans who included FF contributor, Todd Clark, and his brother Timmy. With the exception of Headley making his debut with a couple knocks, seeing frequent FF readers on camera was the highlight!

Headley To Bat 7th; Huber To Portland

Padres top prospect, Chase Headley, will start in left and bat 7th in Tuesday night's opener in Yankee Stadium. The much anticipated move should add offensive depth to a line up that has been reliant on Adrian Gonzalez for much of the season. To make room for Headley the Padres sent Justin Huber down to join the Beavers in Portland. FF has not been this excited over a homegrown prospect since Khalil Greene ascended through the system 4 years ago.

Vegemite Mates

We loved the Union-Tribune's sidebar on the Justin Huber, the Friar's man from down under. The bottom line is that Vegemite is not only tasty, but offers great nutritional value for Men at Work.

TOP 5: JUSTIN HUBER'S FIVE FAVORITE USES FOR VEGEMITE, THE AUSTRALIAN SPREAD MADE OF YEAST EXTRACT.

• It's not butter - Toast and crackers are the mainstays.


• Meat substitute - Sandwiches, with or without cheese.


• Vegemite shake - Mix it with milk, shake it up.


• This is nuts - Mix it with walnuts and again have it in a sandwich.


• Smile when you eat - As entertainment value. Serve it to Americans and watch their reactions. It is always good for a laugh.

Anyone for a Cooper's Sparkling Ale?

Fuson Changes Up Roles

FF applauds Grady Fuson's tough stance on pitchers throwing change ups. He is following through on threats to remove pitchers from the rotation at minor league affiliates if they don't toss the change piece at least 15% of the time (on average). AA San Antonio pitcher Michael Ekstrom is Fuson's first victim, while a shot has been sent across the bow of Jeremy McBryde, who plays for A Fort Wayne. This really comes down to being a two- versus three-pitch pitcher, which is a well known barometer for a player's ability to handle a line up multiple times. The theory goes that a two-pitch guy won't be able to provide a different enough look to get through the second or third pass of a lineup, whereas a three-pitch (or higher) guy can give significantly more looks. There really isn't a reason that every pitcher doesn't have a change up in his arsenal. If you throw a fastball, it's difficult to understand why one is reluctant to just grip the ball a bit differently and throw it exactly the same way you do your fastball. In fact, one can manage three pitches from the same arm slot - a four seam fastball, two seam heater and change up. These should be the only three pitches taught until varsity high school ball. They are all easy on the arm, and teach players that pitching really is about changing speeds and hitting spots.

Headley Finally Arrives

The Padres front office has finally pulled the trigger on Chase Headley's promotion. He will presumably take over left field from a revolving case of the following characters: Scotty Hairston, Paul McAnulty, and Justin Huber. Kevin Towers has also indicated the Headley may be used to spell Kevin Kouzmanoff at third. He was quoted as saying,

I think the environment is much better than it was three weeks ago. We have got a lot of guys contributing offensively. When he gets here, he shouldn't have to feel like he's got to carry this ballclub. We're playing good baseball now... To me, now is kind of the right time to have him here, when things are going well.

This move has been alluded to for some time, though it appears that Headley may not see action until the Yankees series starts. A corresponding roster move has yet to have been made, but Scott Hairston's hyperextended elbow could move him to the DL, providing extra time for the front office to make a move.

FF is relieved to finally see the club's top prospect leveraged. We firmly disagree with the mantra of the "bad environment" that Towers has been spouting recently. The bottom line is that struggling club is great way to offer some low-pressure playing time for a prospect to get comfortable. Given the club's general lack of success in bringing prospects on board, we recommend the Friars completely retool this process. Everyone in baseball - and sports in general - knows the story: play well or someone else will get your opportunity. This is another opportunity for KT to learn from AJ.

Padres KO Kuroda

The Padres had to be worried this offseason with the Dodger's acquisition of Japanese phenom Hiroki Kuroda. After a decent start, Kuroda's shutto has gotten the Tom Selleck treatment, this time with a back-to-back bombs from Brian Giles (to right center at Petco) and Adrian Gonzales (another opposite field shot), kicking off a 9-0 ass-whoopin'. Giles' shot gave Jake Peavy, making his first start since straining his forearm in mid-May, a 3 run lead, with A. Gone adding his 59th RBI of the season (he would eventaually add number 60). Gonzales' little big brother remained hot, with 3 more hits to boost his average to .322. The only Padre not to get in on the action was Kevin Kouzmanoff, who is in the midst of a major slump that has drawn his average down to .254. Bud Black had Peavy on a pitch count of about 90, but Jake would only require 72 to beat LA in 6 innings (4 punch outs, 3 hits allowed, 0 walks).

Notes:

• Luke Carlin managed RBI number one for this career with a first inning fielder's choice. He would then force in a run via a walk in the third.
  
• The Padres are now 8 games under .500.
• Joe Thatcher was optioned back to AAA Portland to make room for Peavy's return.
  

Wolf, Friars Beat L.A.

Randy Wolf paced the Padres with an excellent outing to a 4-1 win - holding the hated Dodgers to just one run over seven innings against nine punch outs. Heath Bell and Trevor Hoffman each tossed scoreless innings, earning a hold and save, respectively. Each of the hermanos Gonzales notched an RBI, with the older, slimmer version (Edgar) knocking a first inning bomb out to deep left center. Khalil Greene added a bomb into the Petco sandbox, with Jody Gerut knocking in an always important insurance run in the bottom of the eighth, while facing a lefty with a 0-2 count. All together, things have begun to look up to for the Friars, who regain staff ace, Jake Peavy, in Thursday afternoon's contest. FF is mildly optimistic - but still questions Chase Headley's absence from left field. Of course, in a couple of years his lessor amount of MLB service time will play in the club's favor (and we can only assume that this is the reason for his extended stay in AAA Portland).

Hairston, Padres Walk Off To 4th Straight 2-1 Win

Scott Hairston hits another huge game winning bomb. The latest Hairston shot, leading off the 10th frame, propelled the Friars to their forth consecutive 2-1 victory (new MLB record). If it seems like Scotty Hairston only hits homers when his club needs it the most, its because he does; all 9 of his long balls have come with the Padres either trailing or tied. Bryan Corey threw 2 impressive innings before Mike Adams tossed a scoreless inning to pick up his first win of the season.

Pads Points

• Jake Peavy threw over 60 pitches in a simulated game Saturday afternoon and reported no pain. It appears as through Jake was throwing smoothly and getting close to returning.


• Michael Barrett hit his first home run as a Padre with a game tying solo shot in Saturday night's win.


• The Padres 4th straight victory is the longest winning streak of the season, the fact that they have won them all 2-1 is a nice piece of baseball trivia.


• Scott Hairston hit his 3rd walk off home run with the Padres in less than a season.


• The entire NL West has won their last 2 contests, the Padres remain 8 games off the pace in 4th place.

Hey, Bud
FF questioned the move Black made in the 6th when he choose to use Tony Clark in Huber's spot with the bases loaded and 1 out. Clark ended up grounding into a fielders choice that forced Brian Giles at the plate. FF would have preferred using Jody Gerut for many reasons that include, speed, ability, and AB's. We think that Black wanted to keep Gerut to double switch into the 9 spot to extend the top of his line up and bury the pitchers spot for the next time around, but there was an opportunity to put up some runs. In addition, Paul McAnulty should be the #1 left handed option off the bench until Tony Clark starts hitting.

WWW: Friars Win 3rd Straight

Randy Wolf and Padres capitalized on their opportunities Friday night, claiming their third consecutive wins - this time a 2-1 final at the expense of perennial Cy Young award winning Johan Santana. Timely RBI singles by Adrian Gonzalez and Kevin Kouzmanoff in the sixth blunted the Met's lone run scored in the top half of the same frame. Randy Wolf's 7 solid innings were complemented perfectly by Heath Bell and Trevor Hoffman, accounting for a win, hold and save, respectably. The trio of consecutive wins marks just the second time in the 2008 campaign that the Padres have strung together more than two wins.

Graph from FanGraphs.com

Iguchi Separates Shoulder

Padres second baseman, Tadihito Iguchi, will be placed on the DL after separating his shoulder attempting to dodge a Kevin Kouzmanoff grounder in Thursday night's 2-1 victory over the Mets. Iguchi will be out 4 - 6 weeks which leaves the Padres without a consistent defender (zero errors this season) and the 2 hole hitter in their lineup. The most likely replacement will create an all Gonzalez right side of the infield as FF expects Edgar Gonzalez to see the bulk of the playing time with a promotion in line for Craig Stansberry, who was a PCL All Star last year.

Padres Select Local 1st Baseman With Power

The San Diego Padres used the 24th pick of the 2008 draft to select Wake Forest's Allan Dykstra who played his high school ball at Rancho Bernardo High School. Dykstra, 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, hit .323 with 16 home runs and 50 RBIs this season.. FF will update as the Friars have 5 of the first 110 selections.

The Padres only selected just one pitcher in the draft's first day, addressing an organizational need for offense. The Friars stayed true to there preference for more polished college players as 38 of their 46 selections came from the college ranks.

Peavy Close

Padres ace, Jake Peavy threw 45 pitches at close to game speed on Wednesday and came through with a smile and a sense of relief. Peavy felt as though he threw well and, more importantly, pain free. The 2007 Cy Young winner will throw again in Saturday with a return date to follow.

13 under and not sunk

The Padres will head into a 4 game series with the New York Mets sporting a disappointing 24-37 record that due to the weak play of the entire NL West division has San Diego just 8.5 games out of first. Don't get FF wrong, this is not a division championship caliber team. However, if the Friars can shave the deficit to 5 or fewer games by the deadline maybe they will look to add some players as opposed to selling off players to the highest bidder. There is a long way to go for San Diego to get from selling to buying, but the with each Arizona and Los Angeles loss, the sale date gets pushed back.

Kouz Pumps Up Pads

Kevin Kouzmanoff cashed in a very strong Greg Maddux outing in the bottom of the eighth inning, with a go ahead sacrifice fly to plate Brian Giles. Trevor Hoffman would strike out three in the ninth to save the 2-1 win, ending the Cubbies 9 game winning streak (the longest in MLB for 2008). Maddux allowed just 3 hits over 7 innings, with Heath Bell tacking on a scoreless eighth inning to notch the win. Scotty Hairston flexed his muscle to lead off the game for the Friars, knocking home run number 8 on the season. The Frairs would squander men in scoring position with zero or one out in the sixth and seventh before Giles led off the eighth frame with an opposite field double. Giles then took third on a relatively shallow fly to left center, taking advantage of Alfonso Soriano's weak arm. This heady base running would prove to be the difference in the game, as Kouzmanoff launched a fly ball to deep center, allowing Giles to easily beat former Friar Jim Edmonds' throw to the plate.

Cubs Outclass Padres

For the second consecutive game the Friars jumped out to an early lead only to watch the Cubs storm back for the victory. The Chicago Cubs have an offense that is clicking on all cylinders (an offense has to be strong to absorb the Jim Edmonds stick this season), Chicago simply has a good baseball club. San Diego continues to strike out not only a lot, but in crucial situations. Three of the final four outs recorded by Chicago pitchers were called strike 3's, absolutely unacceptable the baseball bat should not be used as a prop.

Adrain Gonzalez continued his torrid hitting as the slugging first baseman notched 3 more hits Tuesday including an RBI to give San Diego a 2-0 lead early. Adrian is in a zone that is, alone, worth the price of admission. FF loves to see the maturation of a young player which is what we are witnessing with AGon. He is hitting balls where they are pitched and he is not over extending the zone trying to make something happen, the Pads need a little help to take the load off of the Eastlake High grad.