What the 2010 lineup could look like

Possible Lineup and Active Roster

The 2010 season is almost upon us and fans everywhere are starting to speculate on the who/what/where/when & how's of the Padres lineup. It appears that they are successfully moving toward a team based more on being athletic and fundamentally sound, who can run and cause havoc on the basepaths. With few regular position spots still open, what really remains is to figure out who on the active roster will fill the starting roles. There are choices, and while a few might not be popular, with some fans, they could be in the teams best interest overall.

Starting lineup - ( not batting order )
1. 1b - Adrian Gonzalez
2. 2b - David Eckstein ( should be Jerry Hairston Jr.)
3. SS - Everth Cabrera
4. 3b - Chase Headley
5. LF - Kyle Blanks
6. CF - Scott Hairston
7. RF - Will Venable ( should be Aaron Cunningham )
8. C - Nick Hundley

Bench -
9. C - Yorvit Torrealba
10. U/OFer- Tony Gwynn Jr. ( should be Will Venable )
11. If/OF- Jerry Hairston Jr.
12. U/If- Oscar Salazar
13. DH/OF - Matt Stairs

Starting Pitchers -
14. Chris Young
15. Jon Garland
16. Kevin Correia
17. Clayton Richard ( I say this name based on who has options left, should be Mat Latos )
18. Sean Gallagher* ( I say this name based on who has options left, should be Richard or LeBlanc )

Bullpen -
19. Tim Stauffer*
20. Adam Russell ( or Gallagher )
21. Luke Gregerson
22. Edward Mujica ( or Gallagher )
23. Joe Thatcher ( or Gallagher )
24. Mike Adams
25. Heath Bell

Now I have an issue with a couple of things I'd like to put out there......

First is David Eckstein starting at 2nd base. While I'm a pretty big Eck fan, I don't think he brings to the table as many daily tools as Jerry Hairston Jr. does. Hairston will likely hit for a better BA, OBP & Slg pct., has much better speed and is a legit threat to steal a base, has good defensive skills and probably more range and for sure a better arm.... So I would start Jerry Hairston Jr. over David Eckstein at 2nd base.

Second is our 5th Starting Pitcher being Sean Gallagher. I think he's the guy that will ultimately get the job, and not because he's our best option, but instead because other guys like Mat Latos and Wade LeBlanc still have OPTIONS left and can be moved down to Portland without having to drop them from the roster or try and pass them through waivers. In my opinion Mat Latos has EARNED a starting position, but there simply isn't any room. I also think Wade LeBlanc has made a serious case for himself as well, but again there is simply no room at the inn. Neither of these guys can afford to sit in the bullpen either both must continue to work so I think they are off to AAA.

Third is Tony Gwynn Jr. making this team over guys like Aaron Cunningham or even Chris Denorfia. I am of the opinion that if Tony Gwynn Jr.'s name was Tom Smith, he wouldn't even be in the big leagues right now, and while I'm a huge fan of his fathers, I'm not a big fan of his. Aaron Cunningham brings a much more complete set of tools with decent power and a better arm to the table, and should get the 4th OFer role on this team, maybe even the starting RF job over Will Venable, but I doubt this will happen.

So these are good problems to have, but we could see an active roster that doesn't necessarily have our best players on it. Makes for a very bright future going forward to be sure.

Play Ball !!!


*denotes a few players that are out of options

Lake Elsinore Storm Release

Scott and BR get screwed

Well leave it the flagship station of the San Diego Padres to make bone headed moves. This is the same station that fired a season professional in 'Philly' Bill Werndel, and essentially replaced him with two daily callers (yes fans).....This train wreck didn't last as apparently one of the new DJ's melted down on air and that was that......

Now the same station, who has given new meaning to musical DJ's over the last few years, has lost their morning anchor The Scott & BR show, who have a massive following of "Great Friends". This happened when the show's two radio guys were told that the station wasn't going to honor their contract.....Yup you heard it.......The station was going to knowingly breach it's contract.....

Way to go XX1090 you've lost even more listeners... Maybe the Padres should dump you like you dump what talent you have remaining?

Play Ball !!!

Spring Kicks off for the Padres

Spring Training Begins

Spring Training and the 2010 season officially take the mound Thursday when Chris Young and Kevin Corriea will each get some time on the bump. The word is they will both see two innings, and at this point CY is healthy and eager to go. Hopefully that translates into his finest season so far, both from a health and production standpoint.

By Corey Brock / MLB.com

03/02/10 8:02 PM EST

PEORIA, Ariz. -- After two weeks of preparation, of countless fielding drills and bullpen sessions, Padres pitchers will get a chance Thursday to do something they haven't done all spring -- pitch in a game.

The Padres will play their first game of the spring at 12:05 p.m. PT Thursday against the Seattle Mariners at the Peoria Sports Complex in their annual charity game.

San Diego manager Bud Black said that Chris Young and Kevin Correia -- two pitchers who will help comprise the starting rotation -- will each pitch two innings.

The Padres will play the Mariners, their Peoria brethren, the first four days during Cactus League play.

Several regular position players figure to be in the lineup on Thursday, though Black has not announced a lineup for the game.

Mat Latos, Wade LeBlanc and Sean Gallagher -- all candidates for the No. 5 spot in the starting rotation -- will throw on Friday against the Mariners in San Diego's first official Cactus League game.

On Saturday, in another game against Seattle, Jon Garland and Tim Stauffer will throw at the Peoria Sports Complex.

Finally, on Sunday against Seattle, Clayton Richard and Cesar Carrillo will pitch against the Mariners.

This game might be available via mlb.com radio.

Play Ball !!!