Tony Gywnn Jr A Padre

Amid all the Jake Peavy to the Chicago White Sox rumors on Thursday the Friars did pull the trigger to bring Tony Gywnn Jr to San Diego in exchange for Jody Gerut. While FF has enjoyed watching Jody Gerut resurrect his career in a Padres uniform we are excited to have the son of Mr Padre roaming the spacious outfield in Petco Park (19 Tony Gywnn Ave)! FF wrote about the possibility of bringing Gywnn Jr in at the beginning of the season, but we were about 45 days early.

Gwynn Again?

It appears that Tony Gwynn Jr is on the outside looking in with the Milwaukee Brewers and out of minor league options. This means that he would have be placed on waivers available for the rest of MLB. FF wonders if KT and the Friars would take a flier on the son of Mr Padre? The positive aspects of Jr's game include above average speed (seen first hand by Padre faithful on his infamous 2 out, 2 strike triple down the right field line in 2007 that essentially kept the Pads out of the playoffs), and a swing that has his fathers finger print all over it. The problem is that his name is Tony Gwynn; and he is not a future Hall Of Fame player, he has the look of a future 4th outfielder.

The Padres are entering a season without fan favorite Trevor Hoffman for the first time in over a decade, and without much hope of playing games with much importance beyond July. Will Tony Gwynn Jr put people in the seats at 19 Tony Gwynn Drive, most likely. Being out of options would mean that room on the Padres roster would have to be made, although Jr is slender the Frairs may not have room. The Padres major league outfield roster is set with Jody Gerut in center flanked by top prospect Chase Headley in left and an aging Brian Giles in right. Scott Hairston will get his at bats late in games (although new owner/CEO, Jeffrey Morrad, has already traded Hairston once in his career). FF assumes that Drew Macias and Will Venable would be ahead of Gwynn Jr down in Portland.

With all that said FF would love to see Gwynn given a chance to grow into a solid major league player in a stadium with a statue of his father. If the Padres and Gwynn Jr find themselves together we all need to realize that he will not produce to the level of his father; but his speed and name sure would look good at 19 Tony Gwynn Drive!

*** UPDATE ***

Tony Gwynn Jr has cleared waivers and has accepted his demotion to the Brewers Triple A affiliate. FF is surprised that zero organizations were willing to take a shot on the 26 year old center fielder, especially considering he would have only cost $20,000. FF wishes Little T the best of luck, and we hope to see him back in the bigs sooner rather than later.