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PADRES ARE OFFICIALLY THE WORST TEAM IN BASEBALL by Jason Martinez sdpadrefan.com posted 5/02/08 At this very moment, the San Diego Padres hold on to the worst record (11-19) in major league baseball. Yes, worse than the Royals (12-16). Yes, worse than the Pirates (11-17). Yes, worse than the Nationals (12-17). They're even 2.5 games behind the San Francisco Giants, the team that was expected to be the worst in baseball. So now what? There really isn't any possible trade that will significantly improve this team. General Manager Kevin Towers is currently in Portland scouting the AAA affiliate. Any new additions to the team will likely come from here. According to me, here are a few of the players that could be promoted in the near future and how it could affect the current makeup of the team: 1. Chase Headley will eventually be promoted to be the everyday left fielder and could also give Kevin Kouzmanoff a break at third once or twice a month. At this point, the team will have to decide who is more valuable to the team, Paul McAnulty or Justin Huber. One of them will have to be traded or designated for assignment to make room. The fact that Headley could spell Kouz at third is huge, considering he hasn't had a day off yet. 2. Jody Gerut is another outfielder who could be promoted, based on the fact that he's been the best hitter down in Portland. However, I don't see the Padres taking a chance on losing McAnulty or Huber to make room for Gerut. If Jim Edmonds continues to struggle, the Padres could release him, which would clear a spot for Gerut. Another option would be for the Padres to go back to a 6-man bullpen. I like this idea but for some reason, they feel the need to carry four pitchers that Bud Black won't use unless the team is losing by a few runs. 3. Clay Hensley will be promoted to the Padre bullpen once he makes another 5-10 appearances in Portland. Kevin Cameron and Joe Thatcher each have minor league options and could use some more time in the minors so I can see one of those two going down to make room, especially if they continue to struggle. 4. Either Shawn Estes or Josh Geer could be promoted to replace a struggling Justin Germano in the starting rotation. Estes has an out-clause, which releases him from his contract if he is not on the major league roster by May 15th. The Padres might want to give him at least 1-2 starts. Geer will eventually pitch in the majors, although his stuff isn't that much better than Germano's. However, his deceptive delivery could be tough on a team that is seeing him for the first time. He could have early success if promoted. Here are a few moves that could happen later this season, once the Padres give up hope on this season: 1. Matt Antonelli is the second baseman of the future and will most likely get a chance to play everyday in the majors later in the season. He is struggling badly right now, but he has a few months to turn it around, and then he'll be at the top of the San Diego lineup. 2. Wade LeBlanc, Cesar Ramos, and Josh Geer could all get looks in the rotation. I really don't see them trading Greg Maddux unless he requests to be traded to a contender. He would be a good person to have around once all the youngsters arrive. I do think that Randy Wolf will be traded, leaving two rotation spots open for Geer, LeBlanc, and Ramos. Of course, once Mark Prior is ready, he'll take up one of those spots. 3. Nick Hundley will get a chance to play on a semi-regular basis in the majors. Even though Colt Morton is in the majors now, Hundley is the guy they feel has a better chance to be a major league starter. He won't hit for much average, but plays good defense and could hit 15-20 homers in the majors. 4. Paul Abraham, Adam Bass, Dirk Hayhurst, and Jared Wells could all make their major league debuts in 2008. Abraham is 28, Hayhurst is 27, and Wells and Bass are 26. OK, so they're not exactly top prospects but Abraham, Bass, and Wells throw in the 90's and Hayhurst has 24 strikeouts in 18.2 innings. 5. Will Venable could get a look at all three outfield spots, giving the Padres their first look at a possible outfield candidate for 2009. With at least two outfield spots up in the air (Headley should have a hold on LF), Venable will get a chance to show what he can do in center field and right field. |