ROSTER PREDICTONS REVISITED: MY APOLOGIES TO P-MAC AND GERMANO
By Jason Martinez
sdpadrefan.com

3/28/08

Like many other Padre fans, sports writers, and bloggers, I took a shot at guessing what the Opening Day roster would look
like. And while you can never predict injuries or trades, I definitely missed the boat on a few of my predictions.

The fact that none of the reserve middle infielder candidates, except for Callix Crabbe, made the roster didn't help my
cause. Everyone had to figure they'd put either Edgar Gonzalez, Luis Rodriguez, Oscar Robles, or Craig Stansberry on the
team to back up second, short, and third. My pick was Edgar Gonzalez. Right-handed pop off the bench. Ability to play all
four infield spots and catcher. His brother is the team's star first baseman. I can try to argue the fact that they traded for
Justin Huber to be the right-handed bat off the bench, as well as third string first baseman and catcher but the truth is,
Gonzalez was the first one demoted out of the four.

Then there was that exciting battle for the fifth spot. While Justin Germano, Glendon Rusch, Shawn Estes, and Wade
LeBlanc were all mentioned as candidates, I had a darkhorse in mind. A guy that was seemingly forgotten. Tim Stauffer
would be my pick. Things started off great when Stauffer pitched two scoreless innngs against Seattle on February 28th. I
thought, "Wow, I'm really going to look like a genius considering I'm like the only person to pick this guy". Then, he was
crushed in his next outing. I figured one bad outing early in camp wouldn't affect his chances but then I read that he was
throwing 83 mph fastballs. What? A few days later, it was reported that Stauffer was experiencing a 'cranky shoulder'. He's
now on the 60-day DL and while Germano might have been tough to beat out anyways this spring, Stauffer likely had his
last chance with the Padres go down the drain.

On to the bullpen, where along with every other prognosticator, I was correct with my Hoffman, Bell, Thatcher, and Meredith
predictions. However, injuries did affect my last three picks of Kevin Cameron, Carlos Guevara, and Justin
Hampson. Guevara and Hampson will start the season on the DL and Cameron was slowed by injuries early in camp,
which did not allow him enough time to find a groove before camp ended. He'll start in AAA. Chances are, these three will
all be up with the Padres at some point during the season. On a side note, I entered a 'guess the opening day roster'
contest over at ducksnorts.com and I did predict that Hampson would start on the DL and Enrique Gonzalez would make
the team. Really.

Lastly, the most heated battle in spring training was over the starting left field job. While Scott Hairston was a lock to at
least split time, I chose Jody Gerut over Paul McAnulty as the fourth outfielder. I did say that P-MAC 'would have to crush
the ball in spring training if he is going to win a share of the starting job.' Well, he crushed the ball and now all signs point to
us hearing this on opening day, "Starting in left field for the Padres, #18, Paaaaaaaaaul McAnulty." Sorry for doubting you,
P-MAC.