Dan Hayes - San Diego North County Times

Dan Hayes with the San Diego North County Times, stopped by for another update on the 2008 San Diego Padres.


Todd Kaufmann: I know a lot of fans keep hearing and reading about Chase Headley. In your estimation, has he impressed enough this spring to warrant being on this roster on Opening Day?

Dan Hayes: Headley has absolutely impressed enough this spring with the bat to warrant a spot on the roster. He's done a pretty decent job in the outfield too, but he still needs to be tested. That being said, I wouldn't be surprised if the Padres had Headley in Triple-A Portland for a little seasoning to start the year off. That way his learning curve doesn't come at the expense of major league wins and losses.


Todd Kaufmann: The last time we talked, you had Shawn Estes being the #5 guy in the Padres rotation when the regular season opened. Has that opinion changed?

Dan Hayes: Estes has gotten off to a rocky start. Essentially, he's pitching like a guy who hasn't competed in two years which has pushed him back a little. Right now the Padres are happy with the spring put forth by Justin Germano and he's the current frontrunner. He's only allowed a run over his last nine innings and the Padres like how he's using his change-up more often and his curveball less.


Todd Kaufmann: Wade LeBlanc is getting his first start this spring against the Oakland A's this afternoon. Any chance he's a Padre when the season opens or do you think he needs time in Portland before he makes the jump to San Diego?

Dan Hayes: LeBlanc has opened a lot of eyes around camp this spring and a lot of it has to do with his change-up. Kevin Towers likes his makeup and thinks he's a middle of the rotation guy in the future. I don't think he makes this club out of camp if everyone stays healthy. But Leblanc sounds like the team's top option if someone goes down.


Todd Kaufmann: A guy that Padre fans have been keeping their eye on, if for no other reason than his last name, is Edgar Gonzalez. From what you've seen, has he done enough to make the team or do you think he's too far on the outside looking in?

Dan Hayes: Edgar's in a tough spot. He's one of 13 guys scratching and clawing for two, perhaps three bench spots. He's got great credentials with the bat but his defense isn't quite at the same level. Don't get me wrong, Gonzalez's glove is solid but just not spectacular. One upside he offers is that he's versatile. He has played every infield position thus far and made an appearance in the outfield. And I've heard he's even willing to throw on the catcher's mask to act as the team's emergency backstop. That could help him make the squad.


Todd Kaufmann: Brian Giles and Trevor Hoffman are both at the ends of their respective contracts, but the team does hold options on both players. Will either player be back with the Padres in 2009 or is this the swan song for both?

Dan Hayes: I could see Giles coming back it would be after the team selected to buy him out for $3 million and then re-signed him for a cheap deal. There's no way the Padres will pay $9 million for him. If Hoffman were to have a down year, I could see them handing the job over to Heath Bell because he'll be significantly cheaper and seems to have a closer's makeup. But if Hoffman has another solid year I'd think the team might be hard-pressed to let him walk. He is the San Diego Padres. And even though the Padres are paving the way for this to be Jake Peavy's team, it'd be tough to get rid of Hoffman when he's still performing well. I think odds are better that Trevor returns.

Dan Hayes of the North County Times

Dan Hayes, who covers the San Diego Padres for the San Diego North County Times, gave me a few minutes on the Padres as spring training gets underway.


Padres Blog: If you had to guess on who the #5 starter will be when the 2008 season opens, who would that be?

Dan Hayes: Right now I'd say the leading candidate to open the season as the No. 5 starter would be Shawn Estes. I know the Padres were really impressed with him two years ago and he's finally healthy. At this point it's really a matter of Estes building up his arm strength. Justin Germano obviously could change this picture if he performs in spring training. He was outstanding in the first half of the year last year and gained a ton of experience. He's also feeling very comfortable in camp this year, which has to count for something. Still, I'm giving Estes the nod.


Padres Blog: Seeing pitchers go through their day-to-day routines, is there something you've seen in one guy that has surprised you?

Dan Hayes: I haven't seen enough of the pitchers yet to determine anything.


Padres Blog: If Carlos Guevara clears waivers, do you think he will have an impact on the Padres bullpen this year, and in what role ?

Dan Hayes: Carlos Guevara came to the Padres as a Rule 5 draftee. So he either sticks with the team out of camp or goes back to Cincinnati. Right now Guevara is injured with a hamstring strain, and although its good timing because its early in camp, it definitely can't be helping his chances. If he makes the squad you're going to see something very similar to the way the Padres handled Kevin Cameron last year. He's a rookie and the Padres will definitely ease him in because he's never pitched in the majors. The staff was very reluctant with Cameron last year and only changed his role late in the year out of necessity. Guevara has a great screwball and his fastball ---- said to be in the mid to high 80s ---- would be well-suited for Petco Park.


Padres Blog: How much of an impact do you see Jim Edmonds having on this Padres ballclub?

Dan Hayes: Edmonds' impact on the Padres is hard to determine at this point because it's completely dependent upon his health. All I can go off is based on discussions with him and the opinions of others. That said, the 37-year-old is very determined to prove that he's still a viable option. He talked about how his legs let him down last year and he focused heavily on strengthening them this offseason. If he can stay healthy and play 135-140 games Edmonds' will have a monster impact because he can provide strong center field defense and a good left-handed bat.


Padres Blog: Last question for me Dan and thanks for taking time out to answer them. Is this the last year for both Brian Giles and Trevor Hoffman as Padres?

Dan Hayes: Brian Giles' contract puts the Padres in a tough situation because he's due to earn $9 million next year or receive a $3 million buyout. He's obviously no longer the big home run hitter that he was when he originally signed this deal with the Padres. But the 2009 free agent class isn't looking strong and the Padres could have to fill out all three OF spots, with very little help coming from the minors at this point. So I could see Giles getting the buyout and coming back at a reduced rate. As forTrevor Hoffman, I know that he's going to have to prove that he's the same old Trevor this year. The team has Heath Bell in the wings and he's a much cheaper option at this point. But Hoffman wants to continue pitching, and if proves to be his consistent self, the team will be placed in a tough spot to let a perennial fan favorite walk away.