Trade Rumors Surrounding Jake Peavy, Adrian Gonzalez

It's just a week removed from all the trade talks that surrounded Jake Peavy and already there's another team that seems to have been added to the mix. Well, not really, but the team was at least mentioned to Jake's agent Barry Axelrod.

In a coversation with MLB.com's Todd Zolecki, Axelrod said that Peavy could very well consider playing for the Philadelphia Phillies.

"I have not discussed Philly with Jake because nobody has asked us to discuss Philly. He has a strong preference to play in the National League. He also wants to play for a contender. Both of those two things play into Philly's hands. The personnel is awesome. If there is one downside, it's the geographical difference for him, given that he has made his family home in the San Diego area."

The question that needs to be answered in order for Philadelphia to even be considered is, do they have the prospects to appease San Diego where Kevin Towers would even listen to a proposed trade? If the answer to that question is 'yes' then is Peavy willing to move all the way across the country when he's already made San Diego his family's home?

Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman also had an article out talking about how trading Adrian Gonzalez could land San Diego more than what the Rangers got in return from the Braves when they traded Mark Teixeria.

Heyman asked Padres' GM Kevin Towers about the possibility of trading their star first baseman, to which Towers replied, "Not at this point in time."

Can you imagine if San Diego traded Jake Peavy and Adrian Gonzalez in the same season? How bad of a public relations move would that be, especially after deciding not to re-sign their closer of 16 seasons and future Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman after the 2008 season. You lose one face of the franchise, then you trade Peavy who was supposed to be the next face of this franchise and then Gonzalez right after that?

I've heard of rebuilding, but this is nothing but a fire sale if these scenarious actually become reality.

Brewers' Hall wants Peavy

Peter Gammons has a blog out this morning, and among it was Brewers 3rd baseman Bill Hall saying he expects his team to go after Jake Peavy if he becomes available this summer.

I know the one guy that would lead the charge for the Brewers is former Padre, and long time teammate of Jake's, Trevor Hoffman. You know Trevor would lobby the Milwaukee front office to make a big effort to land him, that is if Jake is made available before the trading deadline.

Also among Gammons' blog is the fact that the Padres have made Brian Giles available. Not that it's really a surprise, but the fact that the Padres are throwing Giles' name out there in trade talks possibly could be a surprise.

Bell continues to struggle during WBC

No more Hells Bells, no more Trevor Hoffman, so us Padre fans have put our faith in a guy we believe can do the job and do it just as well, if not better, than the All-Time Saves leader.

Heath Bell is the guy now for the Padres, the guy that will be coming in in the 9th inning to close out a Padres' victory. But if the WBC is any indication of how he'll perform, I'm more than a little worried about his ability. Bell has continued to struggle during the World Baseball Classic, his ERA sits at a hefty 10.50, giving up 3 runs in just 2 2/3 innings including giving up a run last night against Puerto Rico in USA's dramatic 6-5 win.

So, does that make you question Bell's ability to get the job done for the Padres? Or do you chalk this up to him just getting his feet underneath him and that he'll be ok when the regular season opens? The Padres need Bell to be their guy, they don't want a closer by committee situation, this team just can't handle that right now.

Padres drop 3-2 decision in series finale

The San Diego Padres had plenty of opportunities to put the Dodgers away, but the same problem this team had last year, came up to bite them again. In more than 3 innings, the Padres had runners in scoring position, but failed to bring them in.

Not only that, but Brian Giles was thrown out twice at the plate. The first time coming on a fielder's choice in the home half of the 1st inning, then again in the home half of the third. Both came off the bat of Tag Iguchi.

Starter Chris Young had his typical good outing for the Padres. Going 7 innings, giving up 2 runs on 5 hits, 3 walks and striking out eight. Only problem is, Dodgers starter Derek Lowe matched him, going 6 innings giving up 2 runs (1 ER) on 5 hits and striking out six. Both starters didn't factor in the decision since the game was tied at 2 after 7 innings.

In the 8th, Heath Bell worked his way out of trouble and the Padres handed the ball to Trevor Hoffman in the 9th. For the 2nd time in 4 appearances, Trevor couldn't hold a team at bay. Dodgers' catcher Russell Martin would open up with a leadoff single and would be sacrificed over to 2nd. Then Chin Lung-Hu would single, scoring Martin from 2nd and giving the Dodgers a 3-2 lead going into the bottom of the 9th, which was secured by closer Takashi Saito for his first save of the 2008 season.

The Padres will board a charter plane tonight bound for San Francisco for a 3-game set against the Giants. Greg Maddux, Randy Wolf and Justin Germano are all scheduled to pitch this week.

Peavy dominates, Padres win

If there was a question about whether or not Jake Peavy could repeat his performance of 2007, he's answered it over his last 2 starts of the 2008 season.

Peavy's last 2 starts, he's combined for 16 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, good for a 0.56 ERA and improved to 10-1 in 19 career starts against the Los Angeles Dodgers after a 4-1 victory on Saturday. Peavy added a new pitch to his repertoire in the offseason, a changeup. Although he only used it a few times against the Astros in his first start, he mixed it in well against the Dodgers tonight.

Catcher Josh Bard, “He threw a couple on opening night, but I thought he did a really good job tonight. It gave him another pitch. Guys like Kent and Martin have seen his slider a lot, and it’s still the best slider in the game, but sometimes they’re cheating for it. We threw a little wrinkle in there. You can’t say enough.”

There was some controversy tonight, however. Padres' closer Trevor Hoffman had been warming up in the bullpen and was ready to go, but manager Bud Black decided to let Peavy go out and finish up his complete game. Jake said it was no disrespect to Hoffman, but more the confidence Black had in Jake.

Padres' pitcher Jake Peavy, “We have the best closer of all time down there, man. The guy’s as good as it gets. Division opponent, save situation. It’s tough to get back out there, but I appreciate Buddy showing the confidence in me. That’s absolutely no disrespect for No. 51. I just appreciate the confidence that Buddy showed in me. It was a good win for the boys. No doubt, we had to have it. Got to win this one to have a chance to come out tomorrow and win the series.”

Manager Bud Black, “We would have felt good either way. It was good to give the bullpen a day off and I think it was good that Jake felt good about his stuff. You combine all that and our decision after eight that he felt strong.”

The Padres will finish up the 3-game set against the Dodgers tomorrow afternoon from Petco Park. The Padres will have big 6'10" right-hander Chris Young on the mound while the Dodgers will counter with Derek Lowe. Game time is 1:05pm.

Series Recap: Padres win 3 of 4 from Houston

The San Diego Padres got their 2008 season off to a good start this week, winning 3 of their 4 games against the Houston Astros.

On Monday, Jake Peavy outpitched Astros' ace and close friend Roy Oswalt and got help offensively.

On Tuesday, Chris Young was unusually wild, but held it together enough to get the win in a 2-1 victory with Trevor Hoffman getting the first save of 2008.

On Wednesday, it looked like the Padres were well on their way to winning their 3rd straight, coming back from a 3-0 deficit and taking a 6-5 lead into the 9th inning. Trevor Hoffman came into the game, wasn't given a called 3rd strike to one batter, Adrian Gonzalez just missed a line drive that would have ended the game and Lance Berkman made the Padres pay for it. He hit a 2-out 3 run HR off Hoffman to give the Astros a 9-6 lead, Hoffman was pulled after that bat at bat. As you might imagine, the Hoffman haters were out in full force after that game, calling the talk shows with "Trevor is done," "why is Trevor still the closer."

One night later, on Thursday night, the Padres wrapped up the series with a 3-2 victory and guess who got the save. Trevor came right back out the next night and made up for it, going right through the 9th inning with ease and picking up his 2nd save of the season. Kevin Kouzmanoff also hit his first HR of the season, a 2-run shot in the 1st inning off Astros' starter Shawn Chacon. Scott Hairston also had a big game, coming up a HR shy of the cycle, going 3-3.

Tonight, the Dodgers come to town in a matchup a lot of people are talking about. Justin Germano will get the start for San Diego (3-1) while Japanese starter Hiroki Kuroda makes his first start as a Los Angeles Dodger (2-1).

Padres close to wrapping up spring schedule

The San Diego Padres have all but decided their 25-man roster prior to their opening series against the Houston Astros next week.

There are a few positions that still need to be decided, and those changes may not be what the team first thought, especially with Edmonds feeling almost 100% and says he's ready to go for Opening Day. If that's the case, the previous idea that Jody Gerut, Callix Crabbe and Paul McAnulty would all make the team may have to be looked at again and re-decided.

The other final decisions that need to be made will be on the bullpen. They seem to have the players they want, but it just needs to be finalized. When you have guys like Cla Meredith, Glendon Rusch and Adam Bass pitching as well as they have, on top of Heath Bell and Trevor Hoffman, it's going to be a strong bullpen yet again in 2008.

I think a lot of the national media is taking this Padres team lightly, but this team is going to be stronger than that of the 2007 team, I have no doubts about that. A stronger, more determined Jake Peavy, Michael Barrett should have a better year, they'll have 1 second baseman (Iguchi) instead of a platoon, Kevin Kouzmanoff showed his ability, a healthy Jim Edmonds will go a LONG ways.

There are so many things that make this team the best in the NL West, but they need to put it all together to make that happen, not to mention to go deep into the playoffs.

Cubs' 6-run 1st does in Maddux, Padres

Greg Maddux's former team didn't waste any time jumping all over him in the 1st inning. The Padres' right-hander gave up 6 runs (1 ER) in the first inning alone, allowing the first 5 Cub batters to reach base.

Maddux finished the day giving up 7 runs (2 ER) on 7 hits, walking 2 and striking out 4 in 4 innings of work in a 7-3 loss. Wil Ledezma, Trevor Hoffman and Enrique Gonzalez combined for 5 shutout innings behind Maddux, giving up just 5 hits, 2 walks and 2 strikeouts.

Cubs' right-hander Jason Marquis also had a rough first inning, giving up all 3 Padre runs in the 1st inning, a 3-run HR by 1st baseman Adrian Gonzalez his first of the spring. His next 3 1/3 innings were almost perfect, giving up just 1 hit and striking out five.

Next up for San Diego, they'll be in Tempe to face the Los Angeles (don't call me Anaheim) Angels. Left-hander Randy Wolf will get the start for the Padres, Ervin Santana will go for the Angels. Game time is 1:05pm.

Rangers quiet Padres offense 5-2

In the first night game of the spring training schedule, the Padres offense was finally quieted, this time by the Texas Rangers in a 5-2 loss on Monday night.

Justin Germano got the start for the Friars, throwing 4 shutout innings, giving up just 2 hits. He looked like he did through his first 5 starts in 2007, going 5-0 to start the season. The Padres offense, however, didn't help out much tonight.

The Padres got on the board first when Scott Hairston was hit by a pitch. Hairston would proceed to steal 2nd, advance to 3rd on a sac fly by Tadahito Iguchi and would then score on a wild pitch to Kevin Kouzmanoff for a 1-0 Padres lead.

The lead would hold up until the 5th inning, when the Rangers scored 3 runs off left-hander Shawn Estes, they would add 1 more in the 7th and 1 in the 8th for a 5-1 lead. The Padres would get 1 of those runs back in the bottom half of the 8th on back-to-back doubles by Paul McAnulty and Jody Gerut.

Some of the team, including 1st baseman Adrian Gonzalez and closer Trevor Hoffman, will pack their bags tonight for an early morning flight bound for Beijing, China. The rest of the team will remain in Peoria to face the Los Angeles Angels tomorrow afternoon at 1:05pm.

On Friday and Saturday night, the Padres will face the Los Angeles Dodgers from Beijing, China. Padres Channel 4 will have the coverage starting at 10pm PST on both nights.

Hoffman struggles, Padres lose 6-2

In his spring training debut, Trevor Hoffman didn't look like the Trevor of old, giving up 4 hits and 2 earned runs in 1 inning of work.

Jake Peavy, who made the start for San Diego, pitched 2 innings, giving up 4 hits and 2 earned as well.

Chase Headley continued his hot start to the spring, going 2-for-2 with a couple of singles in 2 at bats. Khalil Greene, Chip Ambres and Scott Hairston all had doubles to lead the San Diego offense.

Tomorrow, the Padres will travel to take on the Brewers, Chris Young is expected to start for the Padres.

Heath Bell: The successor to Trevor Hoffman?

When teammates like Josh Bard say “Heath Bell was the best relief pitcher in baseball last year," NL Cy Young Award Winner Jake Peavy says “He was our MVP,” and future Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman says “The MVP of our bullpen, by far,” you must be doing a lot of things right.

Set up man Heath Bell was doing a lot of things right last season for the San Diego Padres. His list of achievements is staggering.

Among major league relievers:

• Led in strikeouts (102)


• Ranked fourth in wins (6)


• Fifth in games (81)


• Fifth in ERA (2.02)


• Allowed .185 batting average overall


• Allowed .157 batting average to right-handed hitters


• Stranded 27 of 34 inherited runners


• Had a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 102/30

That's an impressive list, seeing as Bell was a first year Padre, not to mention having to pitch in almost half of the teams' games, but Bell is also getting a lot of talk with Padre fans about being the closer after the 2008 season. That's a lot of pressure to put on one guy's shoulders, especially when that guy sets up for one of the games best closers and a future Hall of Famer. I think he's got enough pressure on him already.

I know, when I first heard the name 'Heath Bell' when the Padres brought him on board last year, my first reaction was "who?" Now, he's a household name, not only in San Diego, but around all of major league baseball and should be for years to come.