Sale of Padres "awfully close"

Three months removed from the announcement of Jeff Moorad starting negotiations to become the new owner of the San Diego Padres. A deal which already has the blessing of Commissioner Bud Selig as well as Chief Operating Officer Bob DuPuy.

Current Padres' owner John Moores: "We're awfully close to being able to announce the deal. Things have gone as well as I could've expected, particularly because of Commissioner Bud Selig and his staff. The process has been fairly smooth from the beginning up until now. There have been no surprises."

After the deal becomes complete, current CEO Sandy Alderson will step down, an announcement he made through a statement back on February 3rd.

What are your thoughts on this? Does this look promising for the team's future? Will Moorad raise the payroll in the coming years? Does this mean the team will compete for more than just an NL West Championship?

Padre fans still want the "big bat"

I listen to the sports talk shows out of San Diego, I listen to Padre fans call in and express their opinion on their team but the one thing I keep hearing that noone has been able to explain is the "we need a big bat in the lineup."

Every time I hear a fan call in and say "why can't we get a big bat," but I've yet to hear one name thrown out that the this team would legitimately be able to acquire. Then another question comes to mind, what's wrong with the bats this team already has?

• Kevin Kouzmanoff .275 BA 18 HR's 74 RBI's...not good enough, ok let's try another name.
• Khalil Greene .254 BA 27 HR's 97 RBI's...still not, hmm..ok, one more
• Adrian Gonzalez .282 BA 30 HR's 100 RBI's

What exactly are you looking for Padre fans? Alex Rodriguez? If you want him, are you prepared to pay him $200M? Adam Dunn? Are you prepared for 160 - 180 strikeouts?

This organization has a plan they put in place when CEO Sandy Alderson came on board, they've followed that plan to the T and they're just starting to reap the benefits with guys like Chase Headley, Matt Antonelli and Wade LeBlanc. This team is going to be a team to be reckoned with in 2008, they have a pitching staff and bullpen that could be the strongest in the National League.

Be patient. I'm going to go out on a limb on this one but it's something I truly believe. In 5 years, the Padres and their fans will have celebrated a World Series title, the first in the team's history. When you ask? If you want me to throw out a year, how about 2010. So, please, if you want to come with the "we need a big bat" argument, be prepared with a name and what it's going to take for San Diego to land him, or just let this team ride with what they got.