Yes, I know, it's been a while, but I'm back. Happy New Year everybody!
I've been traveling the country the last few weeks visiting friends and family for the Holidays, and now it's time to write again! So here goes...
No News Is Good News?
Not much has changed since my last post in San Diego Padres land. It's been quiet at Petco Park, but I think that will change shortly. GM Jed Hoyer has been keeping a watchful eye on what other teams are doing, trying to figure out who may become expendable as a result. This much is true, he knows there are still holes to fill and will start that process soon.
As it looks now, Adrian Gonzalez will start the year with the Padres, but will he be here come August? I think A-Gonz's trade value will increase as his numbers do, and as the July 31 trade deadline arrives during the season. Teams are much more likely to over pay for players if they feel that guy will put them over the top and push that team to the playoffs.
It also seems to me that Kevin Kouzmanoff will be here when the season starts as well. To me that's great news. Kouz has been more than dependable both in the field and at the plate (save the first two months!) in his time in Southern California.
The most immediate move will likely be a back up catcher. Nick Hundley is improving season to season, but I know that the organization would like to have a veteran in there, to continue to bring the young backstop along. Brad Ausmus is a name you hear a lot about. The Padres tried to get him a year ago, but decided instead, after Ausmus signed with the Dodgers, to sign Henry Blanco. Ausmus has the same reputation throughout the league as Blanco, for being a great clubhouse guy and a veteran not afraid to help a youngster along. Ausmus would also be good for the young pitching staff.
Eyes are still open for a right handed hitting center fielder to compliment Tony Gwynn Jr. This could be a little more costly a position to fill than the catcher's spot. Here are a few names to consider: Reed Johnson, ex of the Chicago Cubs. A great defender and at age 33 still has something left in the tank. Another name to consider is that of Jerry Hairston Jr. I was chatting with Corey Brock of mlb.com about Hairston Jr. We both agreed that he'd be a great influence in the clubhouse, like his brother Scott was. He's also a player that gives you a lot of versatility. He can play the outfield, shortstop and second base. Jerry Jr is a right handed hitter with a little pop and he has some speed too, which fits into what the Padres are looking for. Hairston is 34. Food for thought.
I'm sure that Hoyer would like to add another veteran arm to the rotation as well. Makes sense, with some youth in the starting five, it's always nice to have that experienced arm to count on once in a while.
Stay tuned, the hot stove should be getting a bit warmer in the next week or so for the Padres.
Big Unit hangs it up...
Randy Johnson is calling it a career. The "Big Unit" hangs em up after a 22 year career with several teams. He started with the Expos, but came to become a pitcher, with the Seattle Mariners. Johnson winds up his career with 303 wins, and finishes up second on baseball's all time strike out list, with 4,875 punch outs, only behind Nolan Ryan. Johnson was the co-mvp of the 2001 World Series with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He also owns 2 no hitters, including a perfect game, which he threw in 2004. Might he be the final pitcher to ever reach the magic 300 win number? Could be.
Happy Holliday in St. Louis...
So Matt Holliday is going to stay in St Louis after all for 7 years and $120 million. Shocking. Not. Where else was he really going to go? My question is this...the Cardinals are considered a mid-market team, and now has two, $100 million players, how? Especially considering, Albert Pujols is entering the final year of his 7 year, $100 million dollar deal. Good luck Cardinals. Enjoy this year.
Mourning Markas...
I woke today to some terrible news, that of the untimely passing of Angels play-by-play man Rory Markas. He was only 54, and died of an apparent heart attack. He was with the Angels the last 8 seasons, and was also the voice of USC Trojans basketball. I didn't know Rory very well, but he would always have a "hello" or a "how you doing?" when the Padres and Angels would play in Spring Training or during the season. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and all of those in the Angels family, who have had a rough year, with the passing of Preston Gomez, Nick Adenhart and now Markas. He will be missed.
NFL Playoffs...the Weekend of Rematch...
How strange is that? 3 of the Week 17 match ups will happen again, in the first round of the playoffs. In the AFC, the Jets who destroyed the Bengals Sunday night, will meet again, but this time with something on the line for both teams and in Cincinnati. My pick, Cincinnati. Also in the AFC, Baltimore visits New England. Even without Wes Welker, I think the Patriots will be able to get it done and advance this weekend. Of course that would mean that the Chargers would host the Patriots and make it 12 in a row after dispatching of "The Hoodie" and "Tom Terrific". In the NFC, it's an all rematch slate. The Packers face the Cardinals in Arizona. I think (and this kills me as a Bears fan) the Packers will advance and then beat the highly over rated New Orleans Saints. Dallas hosts Philadelphia again, and I see the same result happening in this one, Cowboys over Eagles in Jerryworld. I'll keep an eye on the games, and have more after the weekend.
Alright, that will do it for now. My New Year's resolution is to keep this blog a bit more updated. Hope I can stick to it!!!
Andy
Showing posts with label Adrian Gonzalez. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adrian Gonzalez. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Friday, October 9, 2009
Padres Post Season Awards…
Ok, it’s time for the inaugural Andy Awards.
2009 Padres MVP: Adrian Gonzalez
Also considered: David Eckstein, Kevin Correia, and Kevin Kouzmanoff.
Tough to argue this one. Adrian once again showed why he is one of the elite in Major League Baseball. He hit .277, with 40 homers and drove in 99. He became one of just 4 San Diego hitters to belt 40 long ones in a season. He now has 30+ hr’s in 3 consecutive seasons (30, 36, 40). Not to mention his ability to walk, a career high 119 times in 2009. Gonzalez also plays a gold glove caliber first base.
2009 Padres Pitcher of the Year: Kevin Correia
Also considered: Heath Bell, Mike Adams, Edward Mujica and Luke Gregerson.
Correia was a non-roster invitee to spring training and won a spot out of camp. His early starts showed a little inconsistency, but something changed on or around May 15 in a start at PETCO against the Reds. He started showing faith in his curve and change up, and the rest was history. Culminating with a complete game shutout victory at Arizona, September 25th. Correia finished 12-11 with a 3.91 ERA in a career high 33 starts.
Also considered: Will Venable, and Kyle Blanks.
I went with Cabrera because to me he was the most exciting player to watch this entire season. He continued to improve from day one, and when he returned from injury, he started every game. I was impressed with his plate discipline and of course his fielding. He did boot some routine grounders, but come on, he made some plays that still have me thinking, WOW! EC, you make it look EZ.
Also considered: Mat Latos, and Ryan Webb.
Gregerson came out of nowhere. Seriously. Part of the retooled pen at the end of spring training, he was acquired as part of the Khalil Greene trade and never looked back. Luke appeared in 72 games, pitched in 75 innings and struck out 93 hitters. He became a stabilizing force in the 7th and sometimes the 8th. He also recorded his first ML save this season. His slider is among the best I’ve seen.
Also considered: Joe Thatcher, Kevin Correia, and Tim Stauffer.
This was a tough choice. Considering that Thatcher who rode the Portland shuttle as many times as Drew Macias, made an adjustment in the minors and came back strong. He turned into a reliable reliever and situational lefty for Bud Black. But LeBlanc made his comeback after a demotion following a start in Seattle, and turned heads. His numbers after his first two outings, 0-1, 14.50 ERA, 4 1/3 innings, 7 earned runs. He finished the season, 3-1, with a 3.69 ERA. He cut down on his walks and struck out a career high 8 Giants in his last start.
Also considered: Mike Adams, Heath Bell, Henry Blanco, and Oscar Salazar.
What can you say about Eckstein. Numbers do not tell his story. He meant as much to the team in the clubhouse, lockering right next to Everth Cabrera, as he did on the field. He just made every play. How? Not sure, but he did. A stabilizing force in the lineup in the 2 hole, always gave a tough at bat, and who didn’t love watching him choke up on the bat? You know you did. Glad that Eckstein is going to be back in 2010. A class guy.
Also considered: Tony Gwynn, Luis Durango, Everth Cabrera, Will Venable
Blanks season was cut short due to a foot injury after 54 games. He hit .250, with 10 homers and 22 runs batted in. The sample size was good to get an idea of what raw power this young man possesses, but I would have loved to see more. His adjustment to the outfield seemed pretty smooth. He’s not Tony Gwynn or Will Venable out there, but he certainly made all the plays. His power and speed intrigue me, and I’m looking very forward to seeing more of Kyle Blanks in 2010.
Thanks for checking in!
Andy
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