This Bud's For You

The San Diego Padres extended the contract of manager Bud Black through the 2009 season on Tuesday. As a rookie skipper last season, Black lead the Friars to a 89-74 record, and earned a spot in a one game playoff for the NL Wildcard. Black provided longtime Padres fans a breath of fresh air last season highlighted by his handling of rookie Kevin Kouzmanoff, who got off to an extremely rough first month of the season; Kouz came on strong down the stretch and ended as the 3 hole hitter in the Friars lineup. In years past FF has continually seen ex manager Bruce Bochy stick with unproductive veteran players and bury the younger players on the bench (with the exception of Sean Burroughs).

Black made the transition from the American League (where he was the pitching coach for the California Angels of Anaheim in LA) to the NL and handled double switches and pinch hitting situations well. The former MLB hurler handled his pitching staff as well as could be expected while he and pitching coach Darren Balsley helped Jake Peavy realize his full potential and garner huge returns from Mets castoff Heath Bell.

FF is happy to see Buddy Black on the top step of the Padres dugout for a minimum of 2 more years. We are sure that many former big league hurlers are also excited as Black helped dispel the notion that pitchers do not make acquit mangers.

Estes Shelled In Catcus Debut

Shawn Estes toed the rubber in Fridays Cactus League opener and was able to record just 2 outs in the 8 Royals he faced. Estes is attempting to keep the 5th spot in the rotation warm for Mark Prior and while there are many more innings to toss this spring to make an impact, FF is sure that the southpaw hurler is not happy with his outing that included two free passes and four hits.

NOTES FROM PEORIA:

Callix Crabbe was slotted as San Diego's leadoff hitter Friday and responded with a double to officially kick start the Friars offense. Crabbe is a rule V draftee who can play an assortment of positions and brings speed to an otherwise station to station club.

Friars spring loaded sticks come alive late, but not enough to propel Pads to first win...

Dynamic Duos

The Padres have what FF considers to be the premier 1-2 punch in all of baseball with NL Cy Young winner Jake Peavy, and All Star Chris Young. The San Diego organization has placed a premium on pitching and it has payed off recently with 2 division titles and a trip to a wild card play in game in the last 3 seasons. There will be a number of teams who will compete with the 2 aces of the Padres this year, here's a look at the pitching pairs who will be scary for offenses to face in '08. The following list shows team, duo and combined Record, IP, and ERA, respectively:

• Padres, Jake Peavy*, Chris Young#, 28-14 396 1/3 2.79


• Diamondbacks, Brandon Webb, Dan Haren^, 33-19 459 3.04


• Indians, C.C. Sabathia*, Fausto Carmona, 38-15 456 3.14


• Mariners, Erik Bedard^, Felix Hernandez, 27-12 372 1/3 3.55


• Mets, Johan Santana^, Pedro Martinez#, 18-14 247 3.24
  

* Won Cy Young award in 2007
# Lost significant time due to injury
^ Traded in offseason

Busy Day For NL West Arms, OF Answers Soon

Friday proved to be a busy day for hurlers coming and going in the NL West, as the Arizona Diamondbacks acquired All Star pitcher Dan Haren from the A's and shipped last 2007 NL saves leader Jose Valverde to the Houston Astros.

While the reigning NL West champions were busy making moves involving big names, the Padres inked 2 veteran LHP, in Shawn Estes and Glendon Rusch. These moves solidify depth for the back end of the Friars rotation that (after Peavy, Young, & Maddux) features many seasoned lefties coming off of injury in Randy Wolf, Estes, and Rusch. The 2 signings Friday reduce the probability that San Diego will bring in native Mark Prior, or Josh Towers who was non tendered by Toronto earlier this week.

OF Answers Soon

After missing out on Fukudome, and Bradley the Padres are drawing nearer to hearing back on their final offers to Mike Cameron, and Geoff Jenkins. It seems that the Pads and Cameron's agent have agreed on the length (2 years) of a deal but remain far apart in dollars. The Geoff Jenkins sweepstakes (if you can call it that) has come down to the Padres and the Phillies, in both destinations the left handed slugger would be in a platoon role.

The Padres remain desperate for a CF, and if they bring Cameron back he will miss the first 25 games of the season as a result of testing positive for a banned substance. In that case (as the roster stands right now) Scott Hairston would slip into center with corner outfield possibilities that include: Chase Headley, Brian Giles, Geoff Jenkins,and rumored ex Pad Xavier Nady. The Pads outfield questions remain as vast as the the actual outfield at Petco.

For a little fun lets take a look at a very plausible scenario ~(The Pads sign Cameron and Jenkins, Brian Giles starts the season on the DL after knee surgery)... The Padres would have to trot Scott Hairston out in CF flanked by Geoff Jenkins in RF, and rookie Chase Headley in LF. So, how would that work out for a team built around pitching and defense, not very well! Hairston is not a true CF and with the spacious outfields throughout the division it might just remind Friar fans of the "defense" played by Brady Clark in the 1 game playoff against the Rockies. Jenkins has below average foot speed and is much better suited as a left fielder (especially at Petco), but with Chase Headley having never play outfield Jenkins would be the lesser of the evils.

Who knows how the rest of the offseason will play out, but as it stands now GM Kevin Towers must not be sleeping very well. For a franchise that puts such an emphasis on pitching, it becomes extremely important to catch the ball. We continue to hear that there is a plan and that the Pads will look to bring in young players with speed, great plan! The only problem is the Padres perpetually sign players who are past their prime (if they ever had a prime)...frustrating, scary, and ridiculous all wrapped up into 1. This is a recipe for disaster.


UPDATE

Since the post was written, Mike Cameron has broken off talks with the San Diego Padres. The Friars are, amongst others, discussing the possibility of bringing in two more aging players in St Louis' Jim Edmonds, and Kenny Lofton to fill their huge hole in center.

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.

Pads Land Lefty For Rotation

The Padres agreed to terms (1 year deal) with veteran LHP Randy Wolf on Saturday just days before the GM Winter Meetings start in Tennessee. Wolf tossed for the Dodgers last season winning 9 games for LA. Wolf figures to be one of the two starters that was on the Friars wish list. Some of the other names floating around to join last years Cy Young winner Jake Peavy, future HOF Greg Maddux, and All Star Chris Young are Mark Prior (SD native), and Matt Clement (ex Padres). Both Priior and Clement are coming off of shoulder surgery.

Triple Crown On 3 Days Rest

Padres ace, Jake Peavy, will toe the rubber for Bud Black's Padres Wednesday night versus the Diamondbacks. The Cy Young front runner is going to start after just 3 days rest in the rubber game that will determine who goes into Thursday's off day in first place of the National League West. The Padres say that their All Star pitcher feels great and with 2 off days in the next week, it was easy to grant Peavy's request to get the start.

Jake Peavy is currently leading in the 3 main statistical categories for pitchers. He has 16 wins, only two other pitcher's in the NL have 15. His 206 punchouts is 26 more than the Reds Aaron Harang. His 2.10 ERA is the best in baseball with teammate Chris Young next in line at 2.38.

Although the Triple Crown in pitching happens a little more frequently than the offensive Triple Crown, it is still extremely rare and special. Since 1940 there have been just 9 pitchers to achieve such heights as compared to just 4 Triple Crown winning hitters.

With Petco Park being the best pitcher's park in the league, its Peavy's numbers away from San Diego that reinforce his dominance. Along with his 8-0 record he is allowing over a run per contest better in the sand away unis.

Jake Peavy has had some great success against Arizona this year posting an eye-popping 16 strikeout game at Chase Field in Phoenix. He boasts a 1.71 ERA against the Dbacks while his 45 K's is more than twice as many as any other opponent this season. He is 1-0 in his 5 year career when making a start on short rest. Wednesday night's showdown will have an electric, playoff type atmosphere ~ and this is exactly the guy who the Friars want to have going!

Peavy's Mechanics Broken Down

Hardball Times has done a nice job breaking down Jake Peavy's approach - complete with video clips isolating different stages of his pitching motion. Definitely worth a look.

Cassel Gets Start

Padres rookie right hander, Jack Cassel, is toeing the rubber as a starter for the first time in his MLB career. If a rookie making his second career outing against the division rival Dodgers wasn't enough of a storyline for Friday nights contest, throw in the opponent' s starting pitcher, David Wells. Boomer made 22 starts for his home town team this year going 5-8 with an ERA over 5 before being designated for assignment and signed by the Dodgers. Cassel is the brother of New England Patriot backup QB Matt Cassel.

Pete Laforest was designated for assignment to clear a spot for Cassel. This makes Geoff Blum the Friar's backup catcher until Michael Barrett returns to club, which will most likely happen tomorrow.

In news three levels of indirection away from the Padres Friday night starter, ESPN reports former Charger and current Patriot star Rodney Harrison has been suspended because he "obtained Human Growth Hormone ".

Bush's Stock Tumbles Again

Just when Matt Bush's stock began to rise, its tumbled again. Drafted first overall by the Padres in the 2004 draft class as a shortstop, as much for his sign-ability as his potential, Bush struggled through parts of 4 seasons at the plate and in the field. His .570 OPS and career best .940 fielding percentage tempted the front office into trying him out as a pitcher. Stranger things have happened - Trevor Hoffman himself is a converted minor league shortstop. The early returns were nothing short of breathtaking: a 8-1 strikeout to walk ratio (a statistic known to make the front office swoon), 0.95 WHIP and a strikeout per 9 innings pitched rate of nearly 20 in the Arizona Rookie League. All of this for a guy that hadn't pitched since high school. Did I mention that he was nearly hitting 100 on the gun? Well, it now looks like he's facing Tommy John surgery.

Hensley Will Return, Fill Wells' Void

As FF expected, Clay Hensley will return from AAA Portland and assume David Wells' old spot in the rotation on Thursday. Hopefully this will end the timultuous portion of his 2007 campaign, picking up on his fantastic second half in 2006 in which he compiled a 2.66 ERA. Over his career, Hensley has posted a post-break ERA that is 2.36 runs better than his pre-break numbers. This dichotomy is further strengthened by his recent strong start in Portland, going 6 innings while allowing 2 runs, striking out 6 and walking none.

Chris Young Listed as Day-to-Day

We can only hope that Chris Young's early exit from tonight's game is due to an abundance of caution. Young came out to pitch in the bottom of the third inning, threw a single warm up pitch and was then yanked. He's currently listed as day-to-day and hasn't spent time on the disable list in his career to date.