We all have been waiting for Padres’ GM Jed Hoyer to make his first transaction and he did so, in trading 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff and minor leaguer 2B Eric Sogard for OF’s Scott Hairston and Aaron Cunningham. I like the move in so many ways:
This allows Chase Headley to start the season at 3B, his natural position. I feel Headley is a better hitter behind Adrian Gonzalez than Kouzmanoff. If my memory serves me right, Kouzmanoff struggling enormously hitting behind Gonzalez last year and stranded so many runners in scoring position.
OF’s Kyle Blanks and Scott Hairston bring more POP to the line-up and I predict they will out perform Kouzmanoff this year, averaging wise, slugging percentage, on-base percentage and stealing-wise. This is not a knock against Kouzmanoff, but Blanks and Hairston are better fits for Petco Park.
Adding Aaron Cunningham, I feel will provide Padres’ Mgr Buddy Black more flexibility in terms of playing all outfield positions.
The other transaction involved the free-agency signing of P Jon Garland and PH/OF Matt Stairs. Let’s take a closer look at these two acquisitions:
In Matt Stairs, the Padres’ are getting a legit threatening PH off the bench with power. In addition, Stairs will be stability and leadership to the clubhouse as he won a Championship with the Phillies.
In Jon Garland, another player who won a Championship with the Chicago White Sox and been in the playoffs with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. I see Garland having a huge impact on the pitching staff and don’t be surprise to see him win around 13-16 games with the Padres. Garland might end up leading the Padres staff if Chris Young is dealt away mid-season.
Being a Padres season ticket holder for 13 years now, I see Ownership, Front Office, Coaches and Players all having Pride and Joy of being members of the Padres Franchise. Since we are on this subject, this leads us to the video of the day by the late Stevie Ray Vaughn song called ‘Pride and Joy’
Hello Everyone in San Diego and where ever you may be while reading this blog. It’s great to be back blogging on my favorite team — The San Diego Padres –. Much has changed since my last post on this blog and I have a lot of information to share with my loyal readers and those who are new to Snodgrassmuff.
First of all, I would like to voice my displeasure in the San Diego Chargers. I had thought the Chargers had MATURED in their ways, but it was very evident a few players CANNOT handle PRESSURE during the playoffs. I, being a season ticket holder for the Chargers since 2004 season, felt the Chargers should have been much more prepared for anything during the 2010 playoffs. Many people blamed ex-Coach Marty Schottenheimer about the failures of his teams in the playoffs and lacking composure. Well, 6 years later current Coach Norv Turner experienced the same type of behavioral patterns. So where am I going with this? well, it’s time for GM AJ Smith to make some serious changes on the roster. This team is too damn good to be eliminated from the playoffs so soon and there needs to be cultural change in the locker room. I am expecting some well known players on the roster to be sent packing, especially those who put their partying needs ahead of the team’s soul purpose that is to win the Super Bowl. Don’t get me wrong, they can party but there is always a time for that after they have accomplished the primary goal. The same can be said of some local radio station on having pre-game parties. Back in the glorious days of the Los Angeles Lakers, the City of L.A. never had pre-game parties, they acted like they BEEN THERE BEFORE and had celebrations afterwards.
Now, back to the San Diego Padres Franchise. I am glad to see that Owner Jeff Moorad chosed Jed Hoyer as General Manager of the Padres. It was about time, this Franchise moved into another direction of that of the former GM. I, believe Hoyer will institute a formal process on how to build a farm system and continue what has been accomplished by Sandy Alderson regime. Alderson brought back accountability to the failing organization and it was no longer run like a used-car lot under Towers. Today, the players you hear and will see from the farm system is the direct impact that Sandy Alderson, Grady Fuson, and company had during their tenure with the Padres. People in San Diego, harped on the sternness of Alderson and how he dealt with people in public. But in the end, Alderson had built the farm system and Dominican Republic Academy from ground zero. GM Hoyer will greatly benefit from this as did former GM Towers in the second half of the 2009 season.
Well, it’s time for GM Jed Hoyer to pick up the pieces and create a Mosaic for 2010 Season, which I firmly believe will be a very successful one. With that being said, here’s a music video featuring Blues/Jazz Guitarist Jeff Golub song ‘Pick Up the Pieces’
On this Saturday morning 1 Aug 2009, one day after Padres GM Kevin Towers had pulled the trigger not ONCE but TWICE in his attempts to rebuild his mess that has occurred under his watch. Let’s really analyze what took place on Friday 31 July:
GM Towers sent Padres Staff Ace and Homegrown talent Jake Peavy to the Chicago White Sox for 4 pitchers, Clayton Richard, Aaron Poreda, Dexter Carter, and Aaron Russell. Hmmm, okay that is fine and in a span of two weeks the Padres have acquired 7 pitchers. But the real problem has yet to be addressed –Offense–. As I continue on with the analysis, quoting Towers directly “Maybe there’s a Jake Peavy in the bunch” Well if there is one, it is highly probable that in a couple of years the Padres will once again trade great talent for prospects. Even Sox GM Kenny Williams said after the trade “To get a number 1, you have to pay the price. Clayton Richard, we believe, especially going to the National League and in San Diego’s ballpark,” Sox GM Williams told him. “You are about to be a very successful and rich man. You are going to do well over there.” See article posted on Padres.com. As I alluded before, I surely hope the Padres do attempt to keep the players they acquired from this trade for a good time frame like 4-5 years. This franchise needs stability and consistency from the coaching staff to the players. I am not against that at all, but what seems to be a consistent behavior pattern here is the Padres have no real plan. Hello ! it’s the offense that needs some major league talent, and you can have the best pitching staff while still losing close games. Speaking of the Offense, my second vital point is about to be made.
Padres’ GM Kevin Towers once again fails to admit failure in his inability to grab the best qualified hitting coach and fires coach Jim Lefebvre. This is the FOURTH batting coach change in the last FIVE years, once again a consistent pattern. In the current software business, companies who acknowledge they have failed, are the ones in the long run who will become successful. Simply, because they shown they care and take the accountability for their own actions. Having fired FOUR coaches in FIVE years simply tells me, the person in charge of hiring is unsuccessful and a failure at trying distinguish good coaching abilities from the crop of wealth that remains in the leagues.
So, the real question is when will the other two triggers will be pulled. I am specifically referring to either Gonzalez or Bell trade and the firing of Towers. Before the public (fan base) can learn to trust the Padres’ Baseball Operations, the Baseball Operations must learn to trust the public’s knowledge of the game. What really is the point here is, the truth about truth is itself counter-intuitive. Corrections do not diminish creditability. Corrections enhance creditability. Standing up and admitting your errors makes you more believable, it gives your audience (fan base) faith that you will right your future wrongs. Being willing to be wrong is a key to innovation and for all successful organizations. The ball is in the Padres’ Front Office and Baseball Operations court now, the clock is ticking.
As for the team, the Padres have been on a winning streak and showing signs of life which is very entertaining.To wrap up this post, I have a song by Aerosmith, titled “Train Kept on Rollin”. This is a cool video by some young man playing his guitar to the song.
In today’s web environment, successful companies like Google, Amazon, Dell, and others listens to their customers and builds services based on customer’s desires. It’s time the Padres Front Office listens to their fan base and make a bold move before 31 July 09 trading deadline. This organization has not made ONE major transaction since the off-season trade for Adrian Gonzalez and Chris Young back in winter of 2005. It was recently reported that Kevin Towers said the Padres might make a few small trades before the trading deadline. Hmmm, hasn’t Towers been making small trades all this time ? Towers should trade Adrian Gonzalez and get back atleast 4 players who can play at the major league level now. If Towers is afraid of losing the fan base, he and the others in the Front Office should check out the attendance at the last home game (12K).
I have been posting repeatedly, Kevin Towers needs to show the fan base he is willing to pull a trigger vice talking a good game. It’s do or die for the Baseball Operations as the product on the field is very reflective on the baseball operations. If Florida Marlins, Tampa Bay Rays, and Minnesota Twins can produced great young talent from the farm system, there is no reason why San Diego can’t do the same. For now, all things are looking to the GM’s seat as everything has occurred under his watch. Pull the trigger and shake up the entire organization, the resort-like atmosphere shall not be tolerated.
Come on Towers shake your booty and pull that trigger, give us Padres fans a chance for some hope. Here’s a closing video, KC & The Sunshine Band, titled “Shake Your Booty”
The second half of the season has begun and unfortunately for all Padres fans, the results remain the same. Padres just called up Pitcher Mat Latos and will make his major league debut on Sunday against the Rockies. The Sandy Alderson and Grady Fuson protege will finally show those people who had lack of confidence in the Alderson regime that their drafting philosophy was in fact legit. The roster continues to be overhauled with majority of talent that was drafted by Sandy Alderson’s regime. Though, since Alderson has been let go the most prominent front office personnel is Kevin Towers. I would imagine, Towers is being closely watch and observe thoroughly these last few months of the season. As with all cases, new ownership and CEO usually want their own hand pick people, given consideration that recently hired Bob Melvin has been given the title of assessing the current minor league system. This move is quite significant, Towers and Fuson may be the next ones to be let go from their current responsibilities and titles. I, personally think the Grady Fuson has made a huge impact on the Padres minor league system. In my most humble opinion, it is Towers who should be shown the door. With that being said, what will be Mgr Bud Black status? I would re-sign Black for 3 yrs and let him work with the youngsters. Black had worked with many throughout his days with the Angels and deserves a fair shot given consideration the situation he was placed in by Kevin Towers.
The Padres should demote P Josh Greer and cut their loses with Greer. Let’s bring up Carrillo, Buschmann, and any other pitcher who should have a legit shot of starting. I like the fact Tim Stauffer is looking rather quite emotionally and physically strong. I still believe in Stauffer, and most Padres should remember Stauffer was already hurting physically when he got drafted initially. I foresee a starting rotation of Jake Peavy, Chris Young, Kevin Correria, Tim Stauffer, and Mat Latos
It’s time for the Padres to have some fun, and I will conclude this post with a music video by Con Funk Shun, song titled ‘FUN’. Do enjoy Padres fans and let’s have some fun while going to the games.
If you think that Wall Street has hit the bottom, think otherwise because sometime in the fall the market will fall to a threshold of 4500. The Padres have reached the bottom literally in one week, they were nearly involved in a no-hitter, following night they were in fact NO-HITTED, and they settled at LAST PLACE. How did they get here ? From horrendous drafts from 1996 through 2005 and who’s accountable ? Gone is all the former CEO’s, some scouts, coaches, and a manager. Though, only person who’s accountable still remains with the ballclub, the GM.
It’s time for the franchise to step up to the plate and be honest with not only to those fans who are true baseball fans, but to those who have supported the franchise for a very long time. Ray Kroc, back in the 1980’s apologize, what has changed since then ? The Padres have a new stadium, in downtown and though the results remain the same despite a growing town in terms of population and wealth in comparison to the 1980’s. Just maybe, Towers can go out and bring back Joey Hamilton since he has already brought back Brian Lawerence to the Padres.
Trading Scott Hairston for a three-pack of prospects is like a financial adviser telling you to sell google stocks for three junior miner stocks who have limited funding and potential earnings. We call that high risk investments, and thank god Towers isn’t my day financial adviser or I couldn’t afford my season tickets because I would be broke. Let’s trade Towers for a few GM prospects, just maybe this organization will get in the right direction.
If there was a turning point in this season with the Padres, I would have to point on that Sunday in Philly against the Phillies when the Padres were winning the game on a very successful early season road trip through New York and Philadelphia. On that Sunday afternoon not only did the Padres lose the game but lost Everth Cabrera to an injury. Since then, the Padres have been boring and shown no speed what so ever until the acquisition of Tony Gywnn Jr. Last night, while at the game I’d witnessed some synergy from the Padres who had Kyle Blanks in Left field and Everth Cabrera at Shortstop. Even Mgr Bud Black had a twist to the line-up with Pitcher Walter Silva batting in the 8th slot and Cabrera in the 9th slot. That gave Black an advantage with two speedsters back to back in the order with Cabrera and Gywnn Jr. Though, it didn’t help at all and as usual the Padres lost another interleague game to the visiting Oakland A’s. You would think, based on the Padres lack of speed, they would have an advantage playing these AL West teams. So much for wishful thinking and as I had alluded before this season is history, only now we await for further roster moves. Speaking of moves, P Josh Greer wouldn’t be on the roster nor would I have re-signed P Brian Lawrence. Just a typical Kevin Tower’s acquisition, like an old-time miner trying to find gold in an historic gold mine which hasn’t been in production in over several decades. Going to the well too many times will eventually burn you and maybe it’s time to trade Towers for a couple of prospects. Hahaha !
All I have to say to all the Padres fans out there, the few weeks before the trading deadline are going to be exciting and we will all be taking a voyage, a fantastic one at that ! Here’s a video by Lakeside, called ‘Fantastic Voyage’
I am back to posting after taking leave due to the fact I had sustain an elbow injury to a nerve. In that time span, I have seen the Padres have a winning and losing streak. People had asked me what do I think about the Padres last winning streak and my response was “This streak resembles much like the Market’s Bear Rally. It’s just a mirage of what’s head of us –storm and turbulence–”. The latest set back of Jake Peavy along with Scott Hairston, has set the tone for the rest of this season. This team is out of it and all fingers are now pointing towards Padres’ GM Kevin Towers. Everything has occurred under his tenure with the Padres and time has come to hold someone accountable for this. This is surely not General Motors, Wait a Minute ! Maybe it is and Padres fans are paying out their pension plans. Hahahaha…Hey Padres fans, most of you hated Sandy Alderson and who’s next for this latest debacle? Let me hear your thoughts, don’t be shy. Who should be accountable for this ? Sound off. Remaining status quo is unacceptable in any failing organization/company, unless it’s the government and we won’t go there.
As a long time season-ticket holder, I am entertaining thoughts of raffling off my remaining season tickets for 10.00 per game. I will most likely entertain 20 bids per each raffle. Not bad, considering they are toyota terrace seats and in this economy, hell it’s a deal ! Stay tuned for more details later. Otherwise, let’s hope this organization’s Front office wises up, otherwise this Bear Padre Rally can only last so long.
Ahh, it’s Dangerous now, both economically and baseball wise for San Diegan’s. Here’s the Ying Yang Twins song called ‘Dangerous’
I have been purposely staying away from blogging due to the fact, I believe in keeping up some class and not focusing on the negative so much. As you are all aware, there’s been nothing but negativity with the Padres since their downward spiral. The entire organization from Front Office to the low minors are all facing the heat of the pathetic major league ball club. Though, I have been listening to Mighty XX Padres sports-talk station, reading blogs and various news outlets regarding the Padres. Plain and simple, the fans are fed up with the excuses and propaganda that is thrown to them. The latest from Padres’ GM Kevin Towers stating in today’s Union-Tribune, that he is embarrassed about his club. Well, that is very much in tune what Ex-Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan said about the economy. Greenspan re-iterated in the newspaper, his lowering the interest rates from 2001-2003 did NOT create a housing/mortgage crisis. Hmmm, okay if you say so Greenspan ! Now, a few days later Towers admits he’s embarrassed about his club. This is the second time in a year that Towers has said that and who’s been the GM of the Padres for the last 15 years ? You guessed it Kevin Towers. I know I know, for some of you this is a known fact for others who are just wondering, maybe the light went on as you can see through the propaganda.
So what has been Tower’s MO for 15 years ? Pick-N-Save, grab the players who have lost value and squeeze out something from them in terms of production. If lucky, then probably use them as trade bait. Hey, I am all for that philosophy as it had worked on occasion. But like a gold/silver investor, that’s like saying I am going to purchase several mining exploration companies who are selling for .05-.09 on the stock market in hopes of hitting a 5-bagger (5 times potential growth in terms of wealth). It’s called Speculation and when you perform some speculation, you best hope you have eliminated the majority of the risks associated with that investment philosophy. In terms of baseball, the Padres have done nothing in regards to player development and they have been going too much into the well for speculation on so-so talent. Bold organizations make bold statements as I have been professing the past 8-9 months. So far, this Padres organization is not a bold organization, as no one has pulled a trigger that could shake up this entire pathetic organization. It’s time to admit this team will be torn apart and build from ground zero, the loyal season ticket-holders earned that respect. Afterall, those loyal season ticket-holders are the backbone in supporting this organization. A few might not like the ‘philosophy’ on how the baseball organization is executed. Though, they are simply there to witness some good baseball and when it comes to that basic fundamental thinking, the Padres organization must come through on their behalf.
May June bring a sense of freshness, starting with the Amateur Draft. This time, the Padres HAVE NO EXCUSES, the front office is up to the dish and the count is 0-2, bases loaded, bottom of the 9th and they are trailing 4-3. Is the front office going to be 0-6 with prospects in the 1st round ? Almost replicating the ballclub’s horrendous RISP percentage. If the Front Office goes 0-6, soon a few will be Dust in the Wind, as this leads into the next video of the day. Kansas playing ‘Dust In The Wind’
This franchise is completely handcuffed by one person and that is Owner John Moores. The product on the field is a true reflection on Moores investment philosophy. Which is put a cheap product on the field and reap the benefits of any money that can be made. Even in the years of 07 and 06, during the trading deadlines the Padres never made any profound impact moves. Which told me back then, they really weren’t serious about winning a championship. Now, as the years have moved on, it’s becoming very apparent the Owner is only worried about the bottom line which is the profits he can make on the minimum investment at the major league level. This reminds me the same mentality of Los Angeles Clippers Owner Donald Sterling has, why win ? when you can make a profit. Being a season ticket holder, this attitude is unacceptable and I just hope Jeff Moorad will do something quick. Moores is on the way out, though on his terms only but he is handcuffing this entire franchise by his mere presence. If I can’t stomach watching 5 innings, can you imagine Troy Aikman watching these games as a minority owner as well. Aikman has won several superbowls and knows what it takes to win. I am sure, Troy is just as frustrated as we are.
Hey Front Office personnel, Rip it up ! Make a blockbuster deal to prove to the fan base you are trying to build a competitive team and with that being said. A music video by Orange Juice, titled ‘Rip It Up’.
The San Diego Padres announced Tuesday that Doug Dascenzo, who skippered Class A Fort Wayne to the Midwest League championship last season, will be San Antonio’s field boss in 2010. […]
