San Diego Padres: What is 'strategic planning?'

It all seemed so positive for the San Diego Padres during the last 10 weeks of the 2009 season.

They had the fourth-best winning percentage in MLB during that time. They were third-best in the National League and second (to the surging Colorado Rockies) in the NL West.

Even the questionable trades of Jake Peavy and Scott Hairston have turned out positive so far.

The Padres got rid of Peavy’s $50-million plus salary over the next three years. In return, they received Clayton Richard (probably the No. 3 starter next year), Adam Russell (a likely mainstay in the bullpen) and Aaron Poreda (probably in the starting rotation by 2011.)

The Hairston trade netted them the likes of Ryan Webb and Sean Gallagher, both of whom should contend for spots on the 2010 pitching staff.

Then came the firing over the weekend of General Manager Kevin Towers, who brought all the new pitching to San Diego this season. Love Towers or hate him, this is a “what have you done for me lately” business. Lately, he has done quite well.

And remember, during his 14years as the team’s GM, the Padres won four of the five division championships they have captured in their 41-year history.

Now comes the news that the team is into “strategic planning,” one of those buzz phrases that makes you want to regurgitate.

What is strategic planning? If you’ve been around it, it’s nothing more than a catch-term for people who takes months to make a decision … then the decision is usually no decision at all.

The Padres came so far in the second half of 2009 that it appeared they were headed in the right direction. But now that they are into strategic planning, it makes you wonder what nonsense the future might hold.

San Diego Padres hurting on, off the field

Pity the poor San Diego Padres.

Not only will they probably have MLB’s worst record over the second half of the season; they also have more than half of their payroll on the disabled list.

And that’s not good for an organizational that cut its payroll to $45 million this year (second lowest in the majors.)

The Padres have $25.475 million sitting on the DL in:

Pitcher Jake Peavy, $11 million
Outfielder Brian Giles, $9 million
Pitcher Chris Young $4.625 million, and
Second baseman David Eckstein, $850,000

And that’s not to mention three others who have been out all (or virtually all) season costing another $1.679 million:

Outfielder Cliff Floyd, $750,000
Pitcher Shawn Hill, $500,000, and
Pitcher Cha Seung Baek, $429,000

All told, these seven veterans are costing the Padres about 60 percent of their payroll for not even playing.

The Padres also traded away their second-best hitter in Scott Hairston ($1.25 million) this week in a further salary dump.

Sadly, this is a team whose only direction seems down … on and off the field.

Have Padres given up on 2008 season?

Have the Padres quit on the 2008 season?

It sure looked like it in Monday night’s 8-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.

The night began with Scott Hairston dropping a fly ball over the fence for a two-run homer for Ryan Ludwick of St. Louis.

It ended with Josh Bard appropriately taking a called third strike.

In between, there was lack of effort, lack of execution and an overall lack of desire displayed by the Padres.

Sure, General Manager Kevin Towers is threatening to bring up a bunch of players from the minors.

But what good would that do? If those guys were good enough, they’d already be in the majors because this team has needed help all along the way.

Towers has only himself and the front office to blame for building a team with a lack of speed, power, pitching depth, outfielders, etc.

Sadly, with 116 games to play, it looks like the Padres have already cried “Uncle” for 2008.

Padres should demote more than Germano

The Padres have demoted starting pitcher Justin Germano to the bullpen because of his 0-3 record and 6.35 ERA.

If you’re going to demote Germano, don’t forget:

Catcher Josh Bard, his .216 average and inability to throw out base stealers.

Shortstop Khalil Greene with his .213 average and one home run.

The whole left field tandem of Scott Hairston, Justin Huber and Paul McAnulty.

Center fielder Jim Edmonds with his .171 average and inability to get to fly balls anymore.

And while you’re at it, don’t forget starting pitcher Chris Young (2-3, 4.31 ERA) along with the bullpen trio of Trevor Hoffman (0-2, 6.52), Glendon Rusch (1-2, 6.26) and Joe Thatcher (0-3, 6.75).

With so many underachievers, no wonder the Padres are tied with the Colorado Rockies for the worst record in Major League Baseball at 12-21.

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.

Bonds good fit for Padres? No way!

In a column titled “A King Without a Kingdom,” Cliff Corcoran of Sports Illustrated says Barry Bonds would best fit with the Padres among all the teams in Major League Baseball.

Pleeeeeeeeaaassssssssssseeee!

OK, so the man with deteriorating skills and a perjury charge facing him in court is the all-time home run leader.

Other than that, he’s the definition of class without the “cl,” a clubhouse cancer, a trouble maker, etc. etc.

So, how would that be for a harmonious Padres’ clubhouse on a team that traditionally overachieves because of its unity?

Here’s what Corcoran had to say about Bonds and the Padres:

The Padres came painfully close to the post-season last year, giving them something to prove. They also have a gaping hole in left field, which is currently occupied by Scott Hairston. The drag here is that Bonds is a career .195/.405/.390 hitter in San Diego's pitcher-friendly Petco Park. Still, the Padres, who have taken a less controversial but also far less favorable chance with Jim Edmonds in center, seem more likely to sign Bonds than the other teams that could best use him (the Angels, Braves, D'backs, Indians, and Mets), and would benefit more than other the three teams (Texas, Houston, and Seattle) that seem most likely to give him a shot. Signing in San Diego would also keep Bonds in California and out of an intense local media spotlight. San Diego seems like the best destination for Bonds despite his past struggles in Petco. Should he land there, he'll undoubtedly tip the balance of power in the division, but then, he'll do that no matter where he plays this year.

The Petco Park argument alone should eliminate Bonds from consideration for the Padres. Not only is he a poor hitter at Petco, but could you imagine him trying to cover that vast expanse in left field at the downtown stadium with his bad knees?

He’s trouble, he’s hurt, he’s probably going to have his day in court, and he’s ineffective at Petco Park.

Those are among the myriad of reasons why the Padres should not consider signing Bonds.

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.

Kevin Towers: Padres' resident genius?

If you’re going to Las Vegas any time soon, take Padres general manager Kevin Towers with you.

Why? It seems like everything he touches turns into a winner.

Just take his recent acquisitions for example and tell us how:

Scott Hairston hits three consecutive home runs, including a game-winner, after he replaces the injured Milton Bradley.
Morgan Ensberg homers in his first at bat as a first baseman when Adrian Gonzalez gets a rare night off.
Michael Barrett doesn’t succeed behind the plate, but his presence spurs Josh Bard on to greater heights.

Then there are the pitching miracles:

Tim Stauffer starts in place of the injured Chris Young and gets racked. The Padres still win.
Wil Ledezma starts for David Wells after Wells is cut, and Ledezma gets knocked around. The Padres win again.

The list goes on and on concerning how the Padres have conquered the odds this year.

Speaking of odds, don’t bet against Towers when he makes moves that may not appear that great on paper.