2008 Record: 63-99 .389
Run differential: -127 (14th)
2008 payroll: $73,776,616
The worst thing that could have happened to this year’s San Diego team was the passing of California’s Community Property Law decades ago. With owner John Moores going through divorce, all of his entities must be divided in half. Since the team cannot be divided into two equal parts it must be sold. This really is too bad because the franchise had its greatest successes under Moores including a 1998 trip to the World Series.
In order to make the team affordable for potential buyers, Khalil Greene was traded to St. Louis for a bag of apples and a mediocre reliever, Jake Peavy was in constant trade rumors all winter, and the team’s big free agent splash was backup outfielder Cliff Floyd.
Furthermore, San Diego has one of the bottom five minor league systems with only Matt Antonelli having the potential to be an above average major leaguer—and even that seems unlikely after last season’s flop in AAA. Even when a new owner is found the future looks bleak.
At least Sandy Alderson and Kevin Towers retained their jobs so there is creativity in the front office. San Diego fans should hope Adrian Gonzalez, Chris Young, Kevin Kouzmanoff, and possibly even Jake Peavy get traded to the highest bidders over the next couple of seasons in order to restock a terrible farm system Oakland style. This will at least give the team some starting blocks. Because with a low payroll and no minor league system we’re looking at the 1998-2000 Devil Rays as a best case scenario. I doubt even the San Diego Chicken will even come out to watch these guys so if San Diegans need to laugh they should watch Anchorman.
Likely opening day roster:
| Pos. | Name | Salary | How Acquired |
| C | Nick Hundley | $.39 M | Drafted 2nd rd 2005 |
| C | Henry Blanco | $.75 M | Signed as FA 1/21/09 |
| 1b | Adrian Gonzalez | $9.5 M | Acquired in trade w/ Tex 1/6/06. Signed extension 4/07 |
| 2b | Matt Antonelli | $.39 M | Drafted #17 overall 2006 |
| 3b | Kevin Kouzmanoff | $.41 M | Acquired in trade w/ Cle 11/06 |
| SS | David Eckstein | $.85 M | Signed as FA 1/15/09 |
| LF | Chase Headley | $.39 M | Drafted 2nd rd 2005 |
| CF | Jody Gerut | $1.78 M | Signed as FA 1/21/08 |
| RF | Brian Giles | $9M | Acquired in trade w/ Pit 8/26/03. Resigned 5/05. |
| Inf | Luis Rodriguez | $.675 M | Signed as amateur FA from Venezuela '97 |
| Inf | Everth Cabrera | $.39 M | Selected in Rule V draft '08 |
| Of | Scott Hairston | $1.25 M | Acquired in trade w/ Ari 7/27/07 |
| Of | Cliff Floyd | $.75 M | Signed as FA 2/5/09 |
| SP | Jake Peavy | $8 M | Drafted 15th rd 1999. Signed extension 12/07 |
| SP | Chris Young | $4.5 M | Acquired in trade w/ Tex 1/6/06. Signed extension 4/07 |
| SP | Cha Seung Baek | $.393 M | Acquired in trade w/ Sea 5/27/08 |
| SP | Wade LeBlanc | $.39 M | Drafted 2nd rd 2006 |
| SP | Josh Greer | $.39 M | Drafted 3rd rd 2005 |
| Cl | Heath Bell | $1.23 M | Acquired in trade w/ NYM 11/15/06 |
| SU | Justin Hampson | $.403 M | Claimed off waivers from Col 10/06 |
| RP | Cla Meredith | $.415 M | Drafted 6th rd 2004 |
| RP | Joe Thatcher | $.393 M | Acquired in trade w/ Mil 7/25/07 |
| RP | Chad Reineke | $.39 M | Acquired in trade w/ Hou 7/22/08 |
| RP | Mark Worrell | $.39 M | Acquired in trade w/ StL 12/4/08 |
| RP | Mike Ekstrom | $.39 M | Signed as amateur FA from Panama 2006 |
Say hello to: Mark Worrell, Chris Britton, Henry Blanco, David Eckstein, Cliff Floyd
Wave goodbye: Khalil Greene, Josh Bard, Michael Barrett, Shawn Estes, Clay Hensley
Rookies: Matt Antonelli
Non-Roster Invitees to Watch: Mark Prior, Kyle Blanks, Chris Burke, Chris Britton, Emil Brown
Potential breakout: Chase Headley
Welcome to Earth: Adrian Gonzalez is an excellent player but last season was a career year.
Likely to rebound: Chris Young
Strenghts: Jake Peavy and Chris Young play in a big ballpark with a good defensive outfield.
Weaknesses: There are many but I’ll say shortstop if Luis Rodriguez is playing everyday.
Payroll obligations to former players: none
Optimal batting lineup (position, name, bats, Avg/OBP/Slg, HR, SB, EqA):
RF Giles L .306/.398/.456 12, 2 .318
2B Antonelli R
1B Gonzalez R .279/.361/.510 36, 0 .311
3B Kouzmanoff R .260/.299/.433 23, 0 .263
CF Gerut L/Hairston R* .303/.284
LF Headley B .269/.337/.420 9, 4 .281
SS Eckstein R .265/.343/.349 2, 2, .260
C Hundley R .237/.278/.359 5, 0 .236
*I have listed EqA’s for Gerut & Hairston
Prediction: 5th place and the worst record in the NL
2 comments:
Anderson, you're doing a great job with these previews. It probalby will be easier to comment on them as you complete a division and we can see how the race might be shaping up "on paper."
For anyone looking to draft Jake Peavy in their fantasy league, I had him last year and unless you think the Padres are going to compete for a division title, he's not really worth a high pick. Low ERAs are nice, but you want you starting pitchers to WIN GAMES. He's not going to win very many as long as he's in San Diego.
A shame such a beautiful stadium and city cannot field a better team. I always have felt San Diego has fantastic potential to be a baseball hotbet. Seems only sustained success had kept this from becoming a reality.
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