San Diego Padres
2010 Record: 90-72
665 RS, 581 RA, Pythagorean Record: 92-70
Manager: Bud Black
GM: Jed Hoyer
Free Agents:
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B ($6.2MM Club Option)*; Aaron Harang, SP (1, $3.5MM); Brad Hawpe, OF (1O, $2MM; $6MM Mutual Option); Orlando Hudson, 2B (2, $11.5MM); Dustin Moseley, SP (1, $900k); Chad Qualls, RP (1O, $1.5MM; TBD Club Option).
* Gonzalez was traded to the Red Sox after the option was picked up.
Minor League FA:
Greg Burke, P; Anthony Contreras, 3B; Randy Flores, P; Kevin Frandsen, 2B; Geoff Geary, P; Jesus Guzman, 3B; Erik Hamren, P; Bobby Kielty, OF; Mike Koplove, P; Jon Leicester, P; Dustin Pease, P; Luis Perdomo, P; Kyle Phillips, C; Chris Rollins, P; Guillermo Quiroz, C; Eddy Rodriguez, C; Oscar Salazar, OF; Rod Scurry, P; Andrew Werner, P; Gregg Zaun, C*.
* Zaun retired during spring training.
Rule V Pick:
George Kontos, P (Yankees)*.
* Returned to Yankees 03/14.
Trades:
Received Jason Bartlett (SS) and a player to be named later from the Rays for Cole Figueroa (2B), Brandon Gomes (P), Cesar Ramos (RP), and Adam Russell (RP); Received Reymond Fuentes (OF), Casey Kelly (P), Eric Patterson (2B), and Anthony Rizzo (1B) from the Red Sox for Adrian Gonzalez; Received Rob Johnson (C) from the Mariners for a player to be named later; Received Cameron Maybin from the Marlins for Edward Mujica (RP) and Ryan Webb (RP).
Waiver Claims:
Samuel Deduno, SP (from the Rockies); Pat Neshek, RP (from the Twins).
Players Lost:
Joe Agreste, 1B; Chris Ahearn, SS; Matt Antonelli, 2B; Josh Barfield, 2B; Jon Berger, P; Josh Cephas, P; Juan Chavez, P; Mike Collins, C; Matt Combs, C; Kevin Correia, P; Nate Culp, P; Bo Davis, OF; David Eckstein, SS; Aaron Everett, P; Brandon Fowler, C; Jon Garland, P; Eric Gonzalez, P; Nick Green, SS; Tony Gwynn, OF; Jerry Hairston, OF; Scott Hairston, OF; Kevin Hansen, 2B; Ryan Hinson, P; Matt Irsfeld, P; Sean Kazmar, SS; Radhames Liz, P; Tyler Lumsden, P; Scott Munter, P; Wily Mo Pena, OF; Gregorio Petit, SS; Gary Poynter, P; Jackson Quezada, P; Matt Riley, P; Chris Rollins, P; Dusty Ryan, C; Matt Stairs, OF; Craig Stansberry, 3B; Chris Stewart, C; Miguel Tejada, SS; Yorvit Torrealba, C; Mark Worrell, P; Chris Young, P; Lance Zawadzki, 2B.
Top 15 Prospects
1. Casey Kelly, RHP
2. Simon Castro, RHP
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Jaff Decker, OF
5. Donavan Tate, OF
6. Reymond Fuentes, OF
7. James Darnell, 3B
8. Jedd Gyorko, SS
9. Drew Cumberland, SS
10. Cory Luebke, LHP
11. Edinson Rincon, 3B
12. Jonathan Galvez, SS
13. Adys Portillo, RHP
14. John Barbato, P
15. Everett Williams, OF
The Padres loaded up on talent by trading Adrian Gonzalez; they received Casey Kelly, Anthony Rizzo, and Reymond Fuentes in the deal. Kelly is an ace in the making. Rizzo is slated to take over for Gonzalez in about a year. Fuentes is an athletic centerfielder that has MLB potential. Add that with their top guys – Simon Castro, Jaff Decker, and Donavan Tate – and they have a strong system. Castro will be the perfect #2 to go with Kelly. Tate is the real question mark; he’s very athletic, but it hasn’t translated to the field like the Padres were hoping.
2010 Review:
The Padres pretty much came out of no where in 2010; they were within games of winning the NL West, which would have changed the landscape of the playoffs.
Gonzalez was his typical self; he’s put up amazing numbers at Petco, so it’ll be interesting to see what he does in another home park. Rookie Pitcher Mat Latos pitched like a future ace.
Mid-season acquisition Ryan Ludwick struggled after joining the team. He was joined by Miguel Tejada at the deadline, who faired better.
The main bright spot, again, was the relief corp. Anchored by closer Heath Bell, the Padres bullpen was one of the most reliable in baseball. They have done a great job of finding value in cast offs, like Mike Adams, Edward Mujica, and Adam Russell.
2011 Preview:
The Padres have sort of rebuilt this off-season. Knowing that they were going to lose Gonzalez to free agency, they parted ways with the slugger. In turn, they acquired Jason Bartlett to handle shortstop and were willing to make a deal for former prospect Cameron Maybin.
They also spent a little money. Orlando Hudson provides an upgrade at second base. Brad Hawpe should replace Gonzalez’s power. They also brought in starter Aaron Harang and reliever Chad Qualls.
I expect them to be as good as last year, if not better.
From the Bloggers:
Michael Metzger, Padres Trail: 2010 was a magical year for the San Diego Padres, but they will be pressed to repeat the magic in 2011. Several key veterans of their near-playoff run have left the team, either through free agency (Yorvit Torrealba, Miguel Tejada, Jon Garland, Kevin Correia) or trade (Tony Gwynn Jr, and of course Adrian Gonzalez).
The young core of the starting pitching returns. Tim Stauffer started to fulfill the promise that made him a #1 draft pick, Clayton Richard continued to improve, and Mat Latos exploded onto the scene. The key arms in the bullpen return for another run (Luke Gregerson, Mike Adams, Heath Bell). San Diego improved its defense up the middle with the acquisitions of Jason Bartlett and Orlando Hudson. Although they will not completely replace Gonzalez, their offense is more balanced this season, and they should get better production up and down the lineup.
Key to the Padres fortunes will be Ryan Ludwick. If he hits like he did in St Louis, this team might surprise again. If he hits like he did the last two months of last season, the Padres will be an also-ran in 2011. They are one of the more intriguing teams in the National League, because anything is possible with them. Just look back at 2010.
Prediction:
2nd Place