The Chicago cubs 2010 posted by Jeff Lewis

    After two consecutive years of winning the National League Central Division, the Chicago Cubs watched their hated rivals the St. Louis Cardinals win it. In order for this not happen again, the Cubs have some concerns they have to address in order to get back to their winning ways.

    First, they have to get rid of Milton Bradley. This guy was a cancer on and off the field. He was quoted saying that he does not like the Cubs fans. I am here to tell you that the feeling is mutual. The Cubs general manager, Jim Hendry, needs to get this guy off this team no matter how. If that involves eating majority of his contract in a trade, then that's the way it needs to be done. There have been a few teams mentioned in trade talks for Bradley. The Tampa Bay Rays, the San Diego Padres, and the team that keeps getting mentioned the most the Texas Rangers. It doesn't matter what team the Cubs get the deal done with, as long as this guy is off the team come next year.

    Second, the Cubs need a lead-off hitter and center-fielder. These two go together, because the Cubs can fill both of these holes with one player. Coco Crisp. Crisp is a great player. He has speed, he is a descent outfielder, and he can hit. He did have a down year last year, but he played for the Kansas City Royals. Put a good team behind Coco he will shine! Look what he did in Boston an few years ago. There have been rumors that the Cubs are in the Curtis Garnderson sweepstakes. Grandy would be a good fit with the Cubs, and probably benefit from the National League style of play. The one downside to getting Garndy is that he can't hit left-handed pitchers. So the Cubs would have to find someone to platoon with Grandy in center when they are facing a lefty. With the Cubs payroll, I don't see that happening. Crisp should be Hendry's guy, but we will see what happens.

"Carney Lansford the Scape Goat for Giants' Offensive Struggles" posted by Michael McGauley

  Do we really blame Carney Lansford for a bunch of over-anxious, free-swinging hitters?  The stats certainly don't lie.  Only the Padres, Pirates, and Astros scored fewer runs than the Giants' 657 runs in 2009.  San Francisco's 122 home runs was second-to-last in the N.L., behind only the Mets, who stroked just 95 homers with a half-injured team in their brand-new, spacious Citi Field. Walks: 392 for the Giants was dead last in the league (the Rockies had 660 walks to lead the league). And that leads us to on-base percentage; where the Giants ranked last at .309!  That is just dismal, anemic, pitiful....any other good adjectives to throw in there?

  Bottom line, this has been a consistent problem for the Giants for several years now. They never really replaced Bonds and Kent - the last time they had a legitimate three-four combination in the batting order.  Yes, they've built up the pitching big time. Yes, Pablo Sandoval can rake. But that's not enough -- we need two or three more hitters like Pablo. Hey, you've got to give up something to get something, and the time is now to part with a starting pitcher, and acquire a bat. It's not the most desirable scenario, but consider the lack of available sticks in free agency. In addition, they will have to invest some money to keep the young guys happy (Tim Lincecum and Brian Wilson are due for BIG raises, and I say, give them whatever they want!).

  Back to Lansford, I don't blame him. He won a batting title (1981 with Boston), and knows how to hit. That doesn't always translate into being able to teach others how to do the same however. Just to use a brief basketball analogy -- how good of a coach was Magic Johnson with the Lakers? Same idea, but on a smaller scale. Lansford is bright and knowledgeable, but without a couple of big thumpers, this line-up loaded with number two and number six hitters (besides Sandoval) is not going to get the job done. We all know this. The Giants know this. But for some reason, they felt like they had to make a statement with this firing. The rest of the staff was retained by the way, when it was officially announced that Bruce Bochy would be returning for two more years with a club option for a third year. Same goes for GM Brian Sabean.

Barmes' Unbelievable Catch - Was It Real? posted by Debbie Donner

Of course we all know by now that Barmes' unbelievable catch was just that. More of an acting job than catching. To his credit, he did make an outstanding defensive play, getting two outs off the pop-up by Cardinals outfielder Ryan Ludwick, that would have otherwise tied the game.  Seeing this catch brought back bad memories from two years ago, when the Rockies beat the Padres in a tie-breaker game for a play-off spot, because of a bad call at home plate.  Did Holliday really touch home plate or not?  I think not, after they showed the play over and over again.  Those dang Rockies are always gettin' lucky.  I'm real close to rooting for the Dodgers in this last series coming up between them and the Rockies.  The bad call at home plate from two years ago just stings too much still.  So what do you think?  Should the MLB use instant-replay challenges like they do in the NFL? At least during post-season games? Hmmm.

The past two days were thoroughly enjoyable though, watching the Padres take both games against the Dodgers.  Another great finish by the Pads late-inning pitchers.  If they should end up losing Heath Bell to another team next season, Gregerson has my vote as the Padres' next closer.  Or Adams if he can stay healthy.  With Clayton Richard's one-hit shutout and Kouz's three-run shot, the Padres made sure the Dodgers are going to have to work for the NL West title.  I'm not sure what's been going on with the Dodgers lately, losing six of their last ten games.  They went so strong all season I think maybe they're spent.  Or maybe Manny's hair is just too long now.  I think it's getting in his way.  Vin Scully even noticed it last night too.  Maybe if Manny would cut his dreads it might change the bad mojo.  Just a thought.

San Diego Padres - Lookin' Good! posted by Debbie Donner

Woohoo! Lovin' my Pads these days!  After taking three out of four games against the Pirates to win their fourth consecutive series, the Padres are headed to Colorado to hopefully continue their role as spoiler in the NL West.  What a difference from last season, when the Padres were hard-pressed to come back in a game, any time they were down by two or more runs.  This season, how many times have they been down by four, five, even six runs, and they fight back to win a game. I love it! 

 I am so proud of this 2009 San Diego team.  They started off strong at the beginning of the season, in spite of having several inexperienced youngsters on the team  They hit a long rough patch when they were suddenly inundated with injuries prior to the All-Star break, losing some key veteran players, and suddenly the San Diego Padres were more like the "San Diego Rookies."  But man, have these young players stepped up! I mean, obviously they are going to be eager to prove themselves, and I think they have done just that.  Cabrera, Venable, Headly, Blanks, Gwynn - they have been impressive.  And of course our remaining veterans have done no less - Gonzalez, Eckstein, Kouzmanoff.  Is Brian Giles still on the team?  JK, but seriously, we probably don't even need him now, so I'm wondering what will happen for him next season.

I am very excited about next season.  These Padres have shown a tremendous amount of heart as a team, especially during the second half.  And finally we seem to have a solid starting rotation of pitchers and a strong bullpen.  And our late relievers?  Adams, Gregerson, Thatcher (coming around this season), and closer Heath Bell?  Pitchers that I think other teams are not looking forward to facing these days.  So awesome.  If they can keep this group of players together, I think this could be at least, a division-winning ball club in another season or two.  go Pads!

"Brad Penny to the Rescue as Giants Avoid the Sweep" posted by Michael McGauley

  I went to Sunday's game, and enjoyed another strong outing from Brad Penny - this time against his former team the Dodgers in a 7-2 Giants' win.  Penny is now 3-0 in the orange-and-black.  After two disastrous games Friday and Saturday, the Giants finally got the offense going with seven runs on fifteen hits; knocking Chad Billingsley out of the game after just four-innings.  Juan Uribe really set the tone with an early two-run home run that barely cleared the wall in left.  Uribe and Travis Ishikawa each banged out three hits, while Sanchez, Sandoval, and Winn each contributed two hits.  It was nice to see Sanchez come through with a clutch two-run single to cap off that four-run, sixth-inning rally.  Billingsley hasn't been at his best over the past month or so, and L.A. fans had better hope he rights the ship in time for the play-offs.  It was odd that Torre pulled him after only 70 pitches and six K'S through four.  However, it was Jeff Weaver who gave it up in relief, allowing four earned.  Once the real strength of the Dodgers' bullpen got the ball, they shut things down the rest of the way.  L.A.'s starting rotation may be questionable, but that bully is rock solid, especially with the trade deadline acquisition of extra-closer George Sherrill from Baltimore as a set-up man for Broxton.   Some observations about the atmosphere Sunday.  I can't remember the last time I went to A.T.& T. Park with both my sunscreen and rain gear.  It did sprinkle a bit and was quite dark mosContinue reading ""Brad Penny to the Rescue as Giants ..."

San Diego Padres Break The Rockies 8-Game Winning Streak posted by Debbie Donner

Wow! It was another nail-biter last night between the Padres and Rockies. It was definitely a pitching duel, with Padres pitcher Tim Stauffer going up against the Rockies' rookie pitcher Esmil Rogers, in Rogers' major league debut. Rogers, who used to be a shortstop with the Rockies organization, faltered through his first two innings, allowing two San Diego runs, but went on to pitch three scoreless frames showing an ability to handle himself well.  Stauffer had another strong outing, carrying a shutout into the sixth inning before Troy Tulowitzki hammered a solo home run to get the Rockies on the board.

Top of the ninth, the score is 2-1 Padres - enter Heath Bell. Brad Hawpe reached base on a jam shot and then that dang Torrealba struck again, hitting a ground ball up the middle to tie the game.  Second blown save in as many nights for Bell, after being perfect in all 19 chances at home before this.  Heading to extra innings, Jim Tracy decides to send in the big guns, Rockies' closer Franklin Morales, in an effort to hold the Padres.  Will Venable hit a single off Morales and Luis Rodriguez followed with a sacrifice bunt to move Venable into scoring position. Morales then walked the next two batters - one intentionally - to quickly load the bases. Coming off the bench to pinch hit was Nick Hundley, who showed great patience at the plate, which still seems to be hard for this young catcher to do sometimes.  But he hung in there, didn't try too hard to be the hero, and managed to pull off the walk-off walk to win the game for the Padres, putting the Colorado Rockies three games back from the first place Dodgers. Just keep on spoilin' Padres!    

San Diego Padres vs. Colorado Rockies posted by Debbie Donner

Woohoo! Taking the series against the Dodgers, taking the series against the Giants - the Padres are playing their role of spoiler very well. And now it's up to Heath Bell to save the Padres lead tonight of 1-0 over the Rockies. Nice solid start tonight by Edward Mujica. What do you think? Will we see Mujica in the starting rotation next season? He's done well as a long reliever, but I think he could definitely make the transformation to starter. 

Overall San Diego as a team, has been hitting 22 points higher since the All-Star break. It may be coincidence, but this young team seemed to really get fired up, offensively and defensively around the same time David Eckstein came off the DL and the Padres replaced their hitting coach. As a talented, veteran player, Eckstein has provided a lot of leadership and motivation for the youngsters on this team.

Well, the Rockies have pulled ahead 4-1 on a triple from Yorvit Torrealba in the top of the 9th. It looks like Heath Bell has his 4th blown save this season.  Still, all in all, a pretty impressive record for Bell as he continues to exceed expectations in replacing Trevor Hoffman.  So, final score tonight - Padres 1 Rockies 4, but there's still two games to go. . .

Tough Series Opener For The San Diego Padres Against Third Place San Francisco Giants posted by Debbie Donner

Well the Giants hit the Pads hard today, taking the series opener by a score of 9-4.  No doubt the Giants really wanted to win today, not just to keep pace with the second place Colorado Rockies, but maybe to soothe the sting of yesterday's loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in the 12th inning, on a Prince Fielder home run.  Whatever the prevailing reason, their offensive performance was hot today, and they certainly seemed to have Padres pitcher, Clayton Richard's number.  Maybe because it was one of those pesky day games.  Richard's ERA for day games is sitting around 7.59, while his ERA for night games is only 3.99.  Overall though, Richard has already proven himself to be an asset to the Padres club.  Jake who?

 On a more positive note, the Padres are making a last-ditch effort to spread the word about Kevin Kouzmanoff's outstanding defensive play at third base this season.  The Padres overnighted a DVD highlighting some of Kouz's plays at third base, to the other 15 National League managers.  The team also included a note supporting the team's push for Kevin to win the Gold Glove Award.   Kouz has the highest fielding percentage of any third baseman in the Major Leagues right now (.990).  He really does deserve this award.  There's not much that gets by Kouz and only three errors in 296 chances is pretty much unheard of.  Good luck Kouz, I voted for you and I'll be keeping my fingers crossed.

I don't want to play golf. When I hit a ball, I want somebody else to go chase it.

Great Series Finale Tonight Between The San Diego Padres and The Los Angeles Dodgers posted by Debbie Donner

It's a great day when the Padres beat the Dodgers.  That's something I always enjoy seeing!  What about Tim Stauffer tonight - allowing only one earned run on 7 hits?  It was a notable evening for the Padre offense tonight as well, with Gonzalez hitting his 35th homerun and Kouzmanoff driving in 3 runs for his 81st - 83rd RBIs.

Luke Gregerson - I love watching this guy pitch!  I predict that he will eventually be one of the best closers in the game.  He definitely has the makings of a closing pitcher, and coming in as Heath Bell's set-up guy right now (with Adams out), what a one-two punch combination for the Pads against opposing teams!  With that nasty slider, Gregerson usually makes quick work of the opposing batters.  I think we'll be hearing the name Luke Gregerson a lot in the future, hopefully as part of the San Diego Padre organization.

Chula Vista California is Looking Strong to Take the Little League World Series! Chula Vista Dropping Bombs! posted by Adam Hill

Little League World Series: No Longer ‘The Bronx Bombers’ its now Chula Vista Bombers!

By Adam Hill

                51 Home runs in 10 games!  I think that is all I need to say.  Anybody who understand baseball, knows that 51 home runs is not normal for anybody to hit in only 10 games.  I saw the stat comparison with the San Diego Padres, and it has taken them 60 games to hit that many home runs, if that puts it into comparison for those who are unfamiliar with baseball.

                75mph, equivalent to a 98mph fastball in the major leagues is not normal for a 13 year old kid.  300ft homers are not normal for a 12 year old kid.  6ft, 212lb and size 14 shoe is not normal for a 12 year old kid.  Chula Vista has all of these.

                Is it just me, or do all of these stats ring a bell in your head?  How are these kids hitting so well, throwing so hard and growing so big?  Do we give credit to the coaches?  However it is the all star team, so is this Chula Vista league one of the elite in the world or is it just a coincidence that these players are coming through at the same time?  It is not just the top of the order opposing pitchers need to worry about, as all 9 hitters are lethal threats!  The 9 hitter, usually the least productive hitter in the lineup, has 3 home runs!

Cardinals extend lead over Padres

St Louis Cardinals beat San Diego Padres 6-2 to move 2-0 ahead in the National League Division Series. [read full article]

From BBC Sport

Source: Padres sign Garland to one-year, $5.3M deal

The San Diego Padres made their own splash in the free-agentstarting pitching market Tuesday, signing right-hander Jon Garlandto a one-year, $5.3 million dollar deal. [read full article]

From FOXSports.com News for MLB

Padres deal 3B Kouzmanoff to A's in 4-player deal

The San Diego Padres have traded third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff andminor leaguer Eric Sogard to the Oakland Athletics for outfieldersScott Hairston and Aaron Cunningham. [read full article]

From FOXSports.com News for MLB

Report: Padres to deal 3B Kouzmanoff to A's in 4-player deal

The San Diego Padres agreed Friday to trade third baseman KevinKouzmanoff and a minor leaguer to the Oakland Athletics foroutfielders Scott Hairston and Aaron Cunningham, according to aperson with knowledge of the deal. [read full article]

From FOXSports.com News for MLB

Padres lock in Bell for one year, $4M

Closer Heath Bell says he and the San Diego Padres have agreed to a$4 million, one-year contract to avoid salary arbitration. [read full article]

From FOXSports.com News for MLB