MLB: It's time for instant replay!

Umpires are human beings. Yes, they make mistakes (lots of them in some cases.)

Now that the San Diego Padres have concluded a 10-game homestand punctuated by missed calls, it has become more than obvious that instant replay is needed in MLB.

Take just a few instances of the past week, and it’s hard not to conclude that it’s time for instant replay:

Tony Gwynn was called out for a batted ball hitting him on the basepaths. Problem is, the ball clearly missed him.

Chase Headley made a great sliding catch to end an inning. However, the umpire wrongly said Headley trapped the ball.

Headley was again the victim on a play at the plate. He was called out, yet replays showed he was unquestionably safe.

Everth Cabrera was ruled safe on a stolen base attempt of third. He was unmistakably out.

However, that one more than evened out. Cabrera was ruled out for missing home plate on a sliding attempt; replays showed his hand clearly touched the plate.

Kyle Blanks was ruled safe at home on a tying run in the ninth inning vs. the New York Mets. Replays showed he was definitely tagged out by catch Brian Schneider.

Ok, this was only the Padres. On a scale of MLB, there seems to be an attitude of “Who cares what happens west of the Mississippi?”

Let’s hope the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox have this many blown calls on a homestand. Then, MLB will do something about adding instant replay.

When will Padres get rid of Edmonds?

Sadly, the Padres need to get rid of Jim Edmonds.

He’s only hitting .153 through the first month of the season, but that’s not half the story.

Edmonds, one of the best center fielders of the last generation, isn’t even getting to balls that he used to catch easily.

The Padres have had a recent history of trying to squeeze all they can out of aging veterans. It’s starting to catch up with them … especially in the case of someone like Edmonds.

If they had acquired him five seasons ago, they would have been much better off for it. Not so in 2008.

Don’t be surprised if Chase Headley comes to the majors in late May to play left field, with Scott Hairston moving to center.

The Padres will call up Headley after the time in which he will have to wait another year before being eligible for arbitration (otherwise, he would be in the majors now.)

As the Padres limp into May, their already poor outfield situation is only getting worse.

Headley should be Padres' left fielder

Chase Headley should be the starting left fielder for the Padres in 2008.

Why?

More than anything, it would be like history repeating itself.

In 1984, the Padres took rookie first baseman Carmelo Martinez and moved him to left field because Steve Garvey was already at first base.

Martinez turned out to be a somewhat adequate outfielder with pretty good power. Along with rookie center fielder Kevin McReynolds, he helped the Padres make it to the 1984 World Series.

Headley, a converted third baseman, wouldn’t be a great outfielder … but probably better than Martinez. He also has decent power and would not be a liability in the line up.

But here’s the big difference: Martinez was on a much more talented team in 1984 than Headley would be in 2008. Don’t expect the current Padres to make the World Series.

Why should Headley be the leading contender in left field?

Well, have you heard anything lately about center fielder Jim Edmonds improving from his strained calf?

Didn’t think so. Scott Hairston in center field and Headley in left sounds like a plan for now.

Padres need to hold tryouts; not FriarFest

The Padres are holding 2008 FriarFest this weekend, but why not hold tryouts instead?

Or have you not seen the proposed outfield for the March 31 season opener at home against Houston?

Right fielder Brian Giles, 37, is coming off microfracture surgery on his right knee and is likely in his last year with the Padres.
Center fielder Jim Edmonds, 37, has more than lost a step or two from his glory days in St. Louis.
Left fielder Scott Hairston had some brilliant flashes last year, but he’s never been an everyday starter.

Then you throw major-league retreads such as Chip Ambres, Jeff DaVanon and Jody Gerut into the picture.

Then you consider long-time minor leaguer Paul McAnulty … then consider the fact prospects Chase Headley and/or Matt Antonelli could move from the infield to the outfield.

There are a lot of possibilities in the mix; but not too many probabilities.

Once again, it appears the best hope is for General Manager Kevin Towers to work his magic in the trade market.