Back up Catcher signed to mentor Hundley

Padres sign Blanco

SAN DIEGO -- Padres general manager Kevin Towers could have easily filled the vacancy for a backup catcher from within the organization or with someone other than 37-year-old Henry Blanco.

But Towers wasn't merely looking for a Sunday catcher -- someone who usually starts one day a week, collecting cobwebs sitting on the bench the other six days of the week.

Instead, Towers was looking for a mentor for 25-year-old catcher Nick Hundley, who impressed during his three-month stint last season after being recalled from Triple-A Portland.

So on Tuesday, Towers picked up the phone and called former Padres pitcher Greg Maddux to procure feedback on what kind of player, mentor and clubhouse presence Blanco was during their time together with the Cubs and Braves.

Apparently, Towers liked what he heard, and on Wednesday the Padres signed Blanco to a one-year deal for $750,000 to occasionally spell Hundley and provide mentorship to a player the Padres think very highly of.

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Bell to Close for Padres in 2009

Padres Ink Bell

Heath Bell has some pretty big shoes to fill, but hopefully the fire baller is up to the task. Corey Brock reports that he's signed a 1 year deal for $1.255m. Hopefully he'll have a successful transition into his new role.

SAN DIEGO -- The new year isn't a month old, yet it's already shaping up to be a very good one for Padres' relief pitcher Heath Bell.

And it could get even better.

On Tuesday, the 31-year-old avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $1.255 million contract to succeed Major League career saves leader Trevor Hoffman as closer.

A new role, a new contract and now the possibility of a more lucrative future, as general manager Kevin Towers indicated Tuesday that a multiyear deal with Bell could be done sooner than later.

"We explored it in September for probably about a month. It's something we're still open to. Talking with his adviser, we said, 'let's agree on a one-year deal now.' I imagine that's something we will explore in the next couple days. I don't see this thing dragging out."

It's pretty heady stuff for Bell, who kicked around the New York Mets organization for parts of nine seasons, with a handful of stints at the Major League level, before landing for good in San Diego, where he admits, after two seasons here, that it feels like home.

"They're really happy with my performance on the field. I'm very happy to be a part of the Padres organization. I can now sit back and smile and say, 'I'm in the Major Leagues and I'm doing really well.' I'm pretty thrilled.

"Then again, I'm going into a new role as closer. I want to prove myself. I just need to keep doing what I've been doing. I can prove to the Major Leagues and everyone else that I can close and be a closer to reckon with in the league."

Bell had a 2.02 ERA in 2007 and a 3.58 ERA a year ago that was skewed by the five runs he allowed over his final three appearances. Bell has 173 strikeouts over 171 2/3 innings with only 58 walks over the past two seasons, leading the Padres to believe he'll be able to handle the closer role.

"I expect Heath to be no different in this role than he was last year. I look for him to be as successful in the closers role," Towers said. "He's got the makeup, he has the confidence. He has closed before. He's a strike-thrower has a plus breaking ball and no fear."

Aside from a new role, Bell is planning on taking a more defined leadership role with the team, especially among relievers, now that Hoffman has moved on to Milwaukee. Better still, Bell wants the bullpen, statistically the best in the Major Leagues two years ago, to regain its place among the best in the game.

"I'm going to come into spring and set the tone. ... I'm going to take pride in the bullpen," he said. "Now I feel like it's my bullpen since I'm the closer. One of my goals is to get our bullpen back to where it was as a force to be reckoned with. If you're going to be in the pen, you better keep the ball down and pump the strike zone."

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2009 Lake Elsinore Schedule is out

And for the love of all that is decent and holy, don't forget Thirsty Thursdays folks........ $1 beers during the 7th inning..... it's a must at the Diamond.......cheers ! See you there

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San Diego Gas Lamp Quarter is getting an old friend back

The Old Spaghetti Factory was a landmark in downtown San Diego for decades, and was forced out a couple years ago. But never fear pasta fans.......the popular restaurant is coming back, and will be ready to serve you your favorite dishes in time for baseball season.

What took over when The OSF vacated was Dussini's Mediterranean Bistro, and apparently they will remain in a small capacity. The upstairs will become The Loft at Dussini's, while the downstairs will reestablish itself as The Old Spaghetti Factory. This is good news all the way around as it returns to downtown one of the best feasting spots known to mankind, but it also increases the size and class of the bar inside the restaurant which should draw all kinds.......and both should benefit from the other.

Great news for us here in Padre land since we all know the front door of The Spaghetti Factory is a direct shot into the Brick Yard gate of Petco........should see quite a few Padre fans eating dinner before night games this year.

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Padres sign Prior for 2009

Padres sign two to minor league deals

Padres sign Mark Prior to a minor league deal today once again locking up the former NL star, and giving him an invite to spring training.

They also signed Chris Burke the utility role player to a minor league deal as well.

Mad Friars has a write up as on of their freebies. Don't miss this opportunity to check out the most comprehensive MiLB Friars site on the web.

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YOOOOOOOO Adrian

Adrian Gonzalez won his first, of hopefully many, Gold Glove today. The San Diego native, and smooth fielding first baseman was one of the lone bright spots in an otherwise dismal season for the Padres.

Straight from the Padres site ....

SAN DIEGO -- John Boggs, the agent for San Diego first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, was talking about the National League All-Star last month, though the conversation wasn't so much about his offense as his defense.

"What does he got to do to win a Gold Glove?" Boggs said.

On Wednesday, Boggs and Gonzalez got their answer, as the 26-year-old was awarded the National League's Rawlings Gold Glove Award for his defensive play at first base.

It is the first Gold Glove Award for Gonzalez and the 20th in franchise history, as well as the first for a first baseman in franchise history.

Gonzalez, the 10th Padre to win the award, joins the likes of Tony Gwynn, Ozzie Smith, Dave Winfield and Ken Caminiti.

Gonzalez, who along with Philadelphia's Ryan Howard were the only National League players to appear in 162 games last season, tied with Houston's Lance Berkman and St. Louis' Albert Pujols for the best fielding percentage (.996) among NL first basemen.

The left-handed Gonzalez made six errors in 1,442 chances in 161 games at first base.

"He made plays with his arm," said Padres manager Bud Black, who often marveled at Gonzalez's ability to make the 3-6-3 double play look easy.

Gonzalez, a first-time All-Star, wasn't bad with the bat, either. He hit .279 with 36 home runs and 119 RBIs, ranking fifth in the league in home runs and third in RBIs.

"Without him, I do not know where we would be. He's played pretty much every day. He's been tremendous, with the power, the RBIs, the defense; he's been an All-Star performer, no doubt. He's been our best player," Black said.

Also, Greg Maddux picked up a record 18th Gold Glove Award of his illustrious career, named the NL recipient for pitchers. Maddux, traded to the Dodgers on Aug. 19, made just three errors in 77 chances overall, including his time with the Padres before the waiver trade. He was involved in four more double plays, extending his all-time record for a pitcher to 98.

Corey Brock is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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GM Meetings 2008

Todd Kauffman Bio
Planet Padres Beat Writer

REBUILDING OR NOT, BIG CHANGES ARE IN STORE

The San Diego Padres could be in for some huge changes going into the 2009 season. New players coming in, familiar faces going out and possibly a player that was supposed to be the face of this franchise, may not be a Padre when the season opens next April.

As the GM Meetings open today in Dana Point, there's only one topic that Padre fans want to talk about, and that topic is whether or not Jake Peavy will be in a Padres uniform in 2009. According to reports, General Manager Kevin Towers is talking to at least three teams about the possibility of trading the Padres' ace. The one team that seems to be on the top of that list is the Atlanta Braves, but Towers says any deal will be based on quality not quantity, meaning any deal he makes with any team will have to involve the right players in return.

"In any type of Peavy deal, ideally we'd get pitching, but we want the best players back and are focusing to improve our club in '09 and beyond,"

said Towers. "If a deal presents itself that doesn't make us better, then I don't see us moving him."

A player that might be included in the deal, from San Diego, is long time short stop Khalil Greene. The Padres seem to have tired of his constant injuries and lack of offensive ability the past few years, so why not include him in the deal?

If you're asking me about all this, I think dealing Peavy is the wrong way to go about "rebuilding," if in fact that's what the Padres are doing. Jake is still one of the premier pitchers in not just the National League, but in all of baseball, so why get rid of a big time pitcher like that?

Do I think this team can win in 2009, absolutely. Let's not kid ourselves here, these young players showed they know how to win. I know fans have been impatient for a number of years, yes I know the argument of "we were promised this and we were promised that," continues to come up but this franchise is almost to the point where they're reaping the benefits of rebuilding their farm system. You saw players like Chase Headley, Will Venable, Wade LeBlanc and Josh Geer come up and make an impact, and they weren't even up for a full season, imagine what they could do with a full season with the Padres.

This team isn't going to spend money like Boston, New York and LA, but I believe they have the talent to really be a surprise in the NL West next year. Don't believe me, that's fine, I'll still be here if I'm wrong, but I think the 2009 team is going to be a team Padre fans will really enjoy

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