Evidently, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ double play duo of Bill Russell and Davey Lopes from the 1980s isn’t available.
Maybe that’s why the Padres have signed David Eckstein to play second base … and perhaps shortstop Omar Vizquel could be the next to come.
The Padres got away with signing veteran players on the cheap for a couple years, but it didn’t work in 2008. (Remember Tadahito Iguchi and Jim Edmonds?)
So now, with a projected $40 million payroll, the Padres apparently have no choice but to go with rookies or veterans on the cheap.
More than 60% of that payroll is already committed to pitchers Jake Peavy and Chris Young, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and outfielder Brian Giles. (A Peavy trade could still open up some room for cash – but not miracles.)
So don’t expect the Padres to jump in on the Manny Ramirez bidding on the last minute.
We all know you get what you pay for: which likely means another last-place finish in 2009 for the Padres.
Maybe that’s why the Padres have signed David Eckstein to play second base … and perhaps shortstop Omar Vizquel could be the next to come.
The Padres got away with signing veteran players on the cheap for a couple years, but it didn’t work in 2008. (Remember Tadahito Iguchi and Jim Edmonds?)
So now, with a projected $40 million payroll, the Padres apparently have no choice but to go with rookies or veterans on the cheap.
More than 60% of that payroll is already committed to pitchers Jake Peavy and Chris Young, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and outfielder Brian Giles. (A Peavy trade could still open up some room for cash – but not miracles.)
So don’t expect the Padres to jump in on the Manny Ramirez bidding on the last minute.
We all know you get what you pay for: which likely means another last-place finish in 2009 for the Padres.
