UPDATE 1/28/10 - 2:55 PM PST
After a very slow start to their offseason, the Padres and GM Jed Hoyer are picking up steam as spring training approaches. After making a flurry of moves over the past two weeks, the team signed veteran starting pitcher Jon Garland to a one-year, $5.3M deal with a mutual option for 2011. The addition of the 30 year-old right-hander gives the team a solid #3 option behind Chris Young and Kevin Correia with lefty Clayton Richard the fourth starter. While 22 year-old Mat Latos is the favorite to win the last spot in the rotation, Garland's presence allows the Padres the option of letting the youngster start the season in AAA, where he has yet to throw a pitch after making the jump from AA last season. In order to make the team, Latos will have to beat out the likes of Wade LeBlanc, Tim Stauffer, and Sean Gallagher.
The Padres will be Garland's third NL West team in two seasons. After signing with the Diamondbacks last offseason, he was traded to the Dodgers on August 31st and helped lthe team down the stretch with a 3-2 record and 2.72 ERA in six starts. The former AL All-Star ('05 w/CHW) has won at least 11 games and made at least 32 starts in eight consecutive seasons.
UPDATE 1/18/10 - 12:24 PM PST
Just two days after completing a trade for Scott Hairston, the Padres signed his older brother, Jerry Hairston, Jr., to a one-year, $2.125M deal. For a team that many feel won't compete in 2010, they sure are putting together a quality bench with two of the more versatile players around. While Scott plays all three outfield positions and offers above-average power and speed, the 33 year-old Jerry can play everywhere but P, C, and 1B, as well as hit the ball out of the park (10 HR's in 383 AB's in '09) and steal some bases (15 SB's in 80 games in '08). He'll be the primary backup to third baseman Chase Headley, shortstop Everth Cabrera, and second baseman David Eckstein. The Padres will be Hairston's sixth major league team.
The brothers join Oscar Salazar, who has a career batting average of .362 as a pinch hitter, on the Padres bench. While he also showed his versatility, playing 1B, 2B, LF, and RF for the team after being acquired last July, his value lies in his bat.
UPDATE 1/16/10 - 9:03 AM PSTThe Padres have made it known that they were shopping for a right-handed hitting outfielder that could share time with Tony Gwynn, Jr. in center field. They've finally accomplished their goal by re-acquiring Scott Hairston from the A's just six months after he was traded there for three minor league pitchers.
In parts of three seasons with the Padres, the 29 year-old hit .270 (165-for-610) with 35 HR's and 80 RBI's and was hitting .299 with 10 HR's and 8 SB's at the time of the deal last July. He didn't have the same success with Oakland (.236 BA, 7 HR, 35 RBI), however, as he battled through back and hip injuries.
Acquired, along with outfielder Aaron Cunningham, for Kevin Kouzmanoff and minor league second baseman Eric Sogard, Hairston will likely be the starting center fielder against LHP's (career .867 OPS) and will be a late-inning defensive replacement for Kyle Blanks in left field when isn't in the starting lineup.
UPDATE 11/7/09 - 8:32 AM PST
LINEUP - The lineup appears to be set but no one knows if GM Jed Hoyer feels that way. While Chase Headley has improved some in LF, he is still a 3B playing out of position. But the Padres already have a pretty good 3B in Kevin Kouzmanoff, a guy who just set a record for highest fielding percentage (.990) ever by a player at the hot corner. Both players showed great improvement offensively over the 2nd half of the season but it is unclear what either would bring back in a trade. If both players stay, Headley would stay in LF with Will Venable and Kyle Blanks getting the majority of playing time at the other two spots.
BENCH - The team has a hole behind starter Nick Hundley at catcher and could try and re-sign backup catcher Henry Blanco, who was a positive clubhouse presence on a young team. Another obvious target this offseason will be a backup middle infielder who could spell Everth Cabrera and David Eckstein.
ROTATION - The team could use a healthy Chris Young in 2010 to go along with 21 year-old Mat Latos, one of the better young pitching prospects in the game. Kevin Correia is coming off of his best season as a pro and lefty Clayton Richard showed flashes of being a very good pitcher after coming over from the White Sox. The #5 spot should be up for grabs although Wade LeBlanc appeared to have overtaken Tim Stauffer late in the season with a strong finish.
BULLPEN - Heath Bell was an All-Star in his first season as a closer and the trio of Mike Adams, Luke Gregerson, and Joe Thatcher was among the best in baseball over the second half of 2010. Adam Russell and Ryan Webb, acquired in separate deals in 2009, both throw in the mid-90's and showed potential in late-season auditions with the Pads.
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