As pitchers and catchers get ready to report to their clubs this week, MLBTradeRumors.com has provided of list of guys currently on a 40-man roster who are out of options and have less than 5 years of MLB service time. This means these players must make the 25-man roster out of Spring Training or they will have to clear waivers before being assigned within a team’s minor league system. For more information on MLB transaction rules, you can check the Wikipedia entry…
Padres - Edward Mujica, Tim Stauffer, Sean Gallagher, Tony Gwynn Jr.
Diamondbacks – Blaine Boyer, Leo Rosales, Edwin Jackson
Dodgers - Hong-Chih Kuo, Eric Stults, Ronald Belisario, Charlie Haeger
Giants – Travis Ishikawa, Fred Lewis, Brandon Medders, Nate Schierholtz, Andres Torres
Jumping Turtle’s Entertainment Permit Suspended – In an unsurprising move, the city of San Marcos suspended the entertainment permit for the Jumping Turtle on Tuesday following a Saturday morning brawl that led to two stabbings and a woman being hit in the head with a bottle. The city had revoked the permit in November of last year but the venue was able to continue the live shows while the owners appealed. Yesterday’s decision will be effective immediately. Unfortunate news for all of you who were hoping to catch the “reggae/ska/surf” greatness of Mike Pinto there this Saturday.
Ryan Leaf Unable To Arrange Plea Deal – Ryan Leaf is still facing burglary and drug charges in Texas stemming from a incident in October 2008 while he was an assistant football coach at West Texas A&M. He allegedly broke into a player’s apartment and stole an unknown amount of the painkiller, Hydrocodone. Leaf has been attempting to reach a plea deal with prosecutors that would allow him to remain living and working in British Columbia. He’s been living there the last few years and working at a resort. Yep, a resort. If unable to reach a plea deal, the burglary charge alone could carry a sentence of 20 years in prison.
Scale of Zero To Tony Gwynn – GasLampBall.com is fielding a series of polls to judge individuals associated with the Padres on a scale of zero to Tony Gwynn. Here’s their official explanation, “The Zero to Tony Gwynn scale is a rating of a Padres’ importance to the San Diego Padres and their fans. The scale works to determine the relative importance of a particular Padre based on the assumption that Tony Gwynn is the perfect representation of the San Diego Padres.” Head over and place your votes, here’s a list of who’s been posted so far:
**UPDATE** – 9:50am, 02/07 – Well, now the rest of the world is reporting on this. As expected, it’s a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training.
Is Brian Giles going to sign with the Dodgers? The dude on Fox 5 here in San Diego just said he’ll sign with them by next week. No details on terms of the contract. I don’t have a link but I just saw him say so on the picture box.
Record-size Jade Buddha Visiting Escondido – I saw Escondido and Buddha in the same headline and I assumed it was a hip reporter’s clever headline for a pot bust. – The world’s largest Buddha carved from gem-quality jade arrived Wednesday in Escondido to begin a two-week stay that includes a Sunday unveiling ceremony expected to attract up to 3,000 people. The Buddha, consecrated in December by the Dalai Lama, arrived at Escondido’s Phap Vuong Buddhist Monastery by truck about 6 p.m. Wednesday. At 4 tons and nearly 9 feet high, the sculpture is the largest Buddha ever carved from gem-quality dark-green nephrite jade, although a larger one is being carved in Vietnam from light-colored jadeite. The Buddha will be displayed at all hours until Feb. 16, when it will be shipped to another monastery in Orlando, Fla. The monastery is at 715 Vista Ave. in Escondido.
Padres Fan (Friar) Fest Set For Saturday, Feb. 13 – Admittance to Padres FanFest is free and the gates at will open at 9 a.m. PT for season-ticket holders. Activities will include autograph sessions, Padres Garage Sale, hitting and pitching clinics, clubhouse tours, opportunities to run the base and catch fly balls in the outfield, Q & A sessions and more. The general public can enter the stadium at 10 a.m. The event ends at 5 p.m. Parking is free in four locations: the three surface lots along Imperial Avenue (southeast side of PETCO Park) and the Padres Parkade Garage (10th Avenue at J Street).
PADRES: Jerry Coleman Will Have Reduced Role In 2010 – For 37 years, Jerry Coleman has been the voice of the Padres on radio, the link between the team on the field and the fans in their homes, cars, at the beach or a barbecue. It will remain that way in 2010, but in a very limited basis. John Lynch, president and CEO of the Broadcast Company of the Americas —- the parent company of XX Sports Radio 1090, the Padres’ flagship station – said Coleman will call only 20-30 home day games. Coleman will still be involved every day, however, doing pregame features. “What does that mean?” Coleman said. “I guess I’ll be doing the ‘Manager’s Report’ like I’ve always done. Honestly, I haven’t been told much. At my age, I’m still fortunate to be working. I’m happy to have a job with the Padres and with XX. Really, I’m delighted to be working.”
First Cup Practice at Daytona Marred by Multicar Crash – An on-track tangle between Mark Martin and Denny Hamlin triggered a seven-car accident Thursday that may set the tone for two weeks of ramped-up racing at Daytona International Speedway. Also involved were Greg Biffle, Jamie McMurray, Joey Logano, Kyle Busch and Clint Bowyer who was driving his teammate Kevin Harvick’s #29 car at the time. Harvick was out with flu-like symtoms. Later in the practice, Kurt Busch and Juan Pablo Montoya came together sending Busch into the wall and forcing him to a back-up car.
This Weekend’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Schedule – Last night was the draw for the Budweiser Shootout
Shootout Qualifying – Saturday, 02/06 – 1pm EST Daytona 500 Practice – Saturday, 02/06 – 2pm EST Daytona 500 Practice – Saturday, 02/06 – 4pm EST Budweiser Shootout – Saturday, 02/06 – 8pm EST
Live ARCA Qualifying – Danica is currently sitting in 9th with about 20 cars left with a speed of 179.788. Last year’s winner James Buescher is the current pole-sitter at a speed of 181.543 and Ricky Carmichael has yet to qualify. The green flag for the Daytona 200 drops tomorrow at 4:30pm EST and will be televised live on SPEED.
Supercross Rolls Into San Diego – AMA Supercross rolls into San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium this weekend minus the sport’s two biggest stars as James Stewart and Chad Reed are both out with injuries.
Video from Toyota of Escondido’s Supercross Kick-off Party earlier this week…
Garland Agrees To 1-year, $5.3 million Deal With Padres – I really like the Jon Garland signing. He’s a durable guy who knows how to pitch and he can bring additional leadership to a young pitching staff. He pitched great for the Dodgers last year down the stretch and I think he’s going to take full advantage of pitching in Petco. Sure it may have been more fun if the Pads signed Pedro instead but this is a much wiser decision that comes with less risk.
Mark Loretta Retires, Hired by Padres Front Office – Mark Loretta announced his retirement from playing baseball on Monday and in the same breath announced his hiring as a special assistant to the baseball operations staff of the San Diego Padres. Welcome back, Mark! (Cue War…)
Padres Sign Matt Stairs To Minor League Contract – The Padres signed 42 year old Matt Stairs to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. The Padres hope to use Stairs as a left-handed bat off the bench and in DH situations during interleague play. Stairs recently told ESPN that he’s lost 31 lbs. this off-season and is currently at 199 lbs. I’ll believe it when I see it and probably not even then.
Players would need six years in the league before becoming unrestricted free agents rather than four. Some veterans with less than six years in the league would become restricted free agents, meaning their current club will have the right to match an offer or be compensated for losing them. (Merriman, VJ, Cromartie, etc.)
Each club already has one transition (franchise) player tag and would get a second. A transition player must be offered at least the average of the top 10 salaries for his position during the previous season, or 120 percent of the player’s previous year’s salary, whichever is greater.
The eight clubs that made the divisional playoff round this year will have limits on signing unrestricted free agents under what’s called the Final Eight Plan.
The 32 teams would be relieved of their obligation to fund numerous player benefit programs, including 401Ks, player annuity, severance pay, and tuition assistance. That would be a reduction of more than $7 million per club.
A supplemental revenue-sharing plan will be scrapped by the league, which says about $100 million is involved; the union claims it’s closer to $200 million. That’s not a huge sum in the scheme of NFL finances, but would still hurt clubs on the financial bottom rung.
There would be no salary floor or salary ceiling. In 2009, the cap was $128 million and the floor was $111 million.
I’m going to this, anyone else down? Comment or give me a shout and I’ll RSVP for a Swasted.com group.
San Diego Padres Free Open House
Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Please join us for a special Open House event at PETCO Park on Thursday, January 28 at 6:00pm. Vice Chairman & CEO Jeff Moorad, President & COO Tom Garfinkel and General Manager Jed Hoyer will be on hand for a special Question & Answer session and to fill you in on all the exciting changes for 2010.
The night will also feature:
* Complimentary food and non-alcoholic beverages
* Free parking
* Appearances by current Padres players and alumni
* View the best available Season Ticket locations for 2010
* Exclusive Padres merchandise sale
* The opportunity to take photos on the field after the event
North County Times Blowing It, Again – It’s pretty funny what passes as journalism these days. The North County Times posted an alert about a dangerous burglary suspect on the loose in the Escondido area. The suspect is known to carry weapons and is considered armed and dangerous. Rossman Ortega, is described as a 27-year-old Latino man with black hair and brown eyes. He is 5 feet 6 inches tall, and weighs about 150 pounds. Great description, how about a picture? Hmmm, there must not be one available. So I did a quick Google search for Rossman Ortega came up a San Diego Sheriff’s press release of his crimes, complete with a mugshot.
Taco Bell Founder Dies – Glen Bell, the man who introduced Mexican cuisine to mainstream America with Taco Bell restaurants, died in his Rancho Santa Fe home Sunday. He was 86. Bell was shy and didn’t reveal who he was when visiting local fast-food restaurants, Baldwin said. “There’s a Taco Bell in Escondido he liked to go to,” she said. – He used to always go to the Taco Bell on Escondido Blvd by the DMV. I went there with my dad years ago and some lady by us pointed him out to us. Not sure why he picked that one, it always seemed like a shit hole to me.
Headley Excited to Return to 3B – After a trade that sent Kevin Kouzmanoff to Oakland, Chase Headley will be returning to third base for the 2010 season. Last year, Headley had the opportunity to play 17 straight games at third base when Kouzmanoff was injured, a span in which Headley hit .303 with a homer and 10 RBIs. “When Kouz was banged up and I started to play over there consistently, after a week I was starting to feel good,” Headley said. “It’s a very reactionary position. There’s just a lot more going on, and it’s easier to be locked in. It’s not to say I couldn’t stay focused, but a lot of the time in the outfield you’re standing around for eight innings without a ball coming your way and you have time to pore over what you did wrong.”
USA Today Padres Team Report – Fifteen players made their major league debuts with the Padres last season, and 19 qualified as rookies. Most of the top prospects at Class AAA Portland finished the season with the Padres. San Diego finished the season with the youngest roster in the major leagues. It also finished on a 37-25 run. The future no longer looks bleak.
Spring Training Around the Corner – A complete list of 2010 Major League Baseball spring training reporting dates for all MLB teams. Key Dates for the Padres: Pitchers & Catchers Report – 02/18/10, First Workout – 02/19/10, Position Players - 02/24/10, First Full Workout – 02/25/10
FCC Ruling May Let More Cox Rivals Carry Padres – Hey Ryan, it looks like you’ll be able to keep that AT&T cable you love so much. Federal regulators Wednesday voted to end the “terrestrial loophole” that allowed Cox Communications to have exclusive rights to San Diego Padres games, opening the door for rivals such as AT&T and DirecTV to eventually add the games to their channel lineups. The Federal Communications Commission voted 4-1 to close the loophole, which allowed Cox in San Diego and other cable operations elsewhere to withhold local sports programming from competitors.
Jets Online Shop Taking Pre-Orders For AFC Champs Gear – Via Deadspin.com, the NY Jets online shop has started taking pre-orders for AFC Champions gear. Someone should’ve told them that they’ll need to roll into Indy and beat Peyton and Co. first. They’ve since taken it all down and replaced it with, “Win and We’re In” gear.
Vincent Jackson Handcuffed By Police Hours Before Playoff Game – San Diego police say Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson was handcuffed briefly and had his car impounded following a traffic stop on Sunday just a few hours before a playoff loss to the New York Jets. Det. Gary Hassen says a traffic officer pulled over Jackson for playing loud music. The player was cited for driving with a suspended license and expired tags. Jackson was briefly handcuffed, which Hassen says is part of standard procedure in such situations. The traffic stop occurred near Chargers headquarters, about two miles north of Qualcomm Stadium. Jackson had to catch a ride to the game with quarterback Philip Rivers. – 7 catches, 100+ yards SignonSanDiego.com
Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan’s Padres Team Report – The Padres’ biggest acquisition this offseason was 36 years old, somewhat on the small side and never played an inning in the minor leagues. Thankfully, Jed Hoyer does not wear a uniform. The team’s new general manager, who replaced the game’s longest-tenured GM, Kevin Towers, has spent the winter months assessing his organization’s strengths (improving farm system, bullpen, Adrian Gonzalez) and its weaknesses (too many to list, though more to do with a murderous slashing of the payroll than management flubs). – Yahoo.com
Milton Bradley Sued By Chicago Landlord – Add his landlord to the list of people who don’t like former Cubs rightfielder Milton Bradley, dumped by the team last month. Bradley signed a lease for a luxury Magnificent Mile condo just as the baseball season was starting, but his landlord says he walked out on the $15,000-a-month lease in the fall. Now the landlord and the realty company that helped lease the 24th-floor Park Hyatt condo, 800 N. Michigan Ave., are suing Bradley for $44,100 in back rent, late fees and interest through this month. And they’ll be seeking further rent until the lease runs out. SunTimes.com
Edmunds Stalking La Russa, Asking For A Tryout – Jim Edmonds went on stage at St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa’s charity event to ask for a tryout. The 39-year-old outfielder did not play last season but never retired. La Russa said Edmonds began texting him about a comeback the day before Sunday’s Animal Rescue Foundation event in St. Louis, and at first the manager thought it was a joke. La Russa said he got more texts from Edmonds during the event asking if he could come on stage, where he asked for another shot. – Yahoo.com
Jody Gerut Signs 1-year, $2MM Deal With Brewers – Yahoo.com
The Padres have reached an agreement with utility man Jerry Hairston Jr. on a one-year deal worth $2.125 million Monday. He will be the second member of the Hairston family acquired by the team in three days. On Saturday, the Padres reacquired Scott Hairston from the A’s for third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff. Hairston played parts of three seasons (2007-09) with the Padres before he was traded to the A’s in July. – Padres.com
Via MLBTradeRumors.com – The Athletics have reached an agreement with the Padres to acquire third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff and a minor leaguer for pitcher Gio Gonzalez and outfielders Scott Hairston and Aaron Cunningham. The players still need to pass physicals.
Kouzmanoff, 28, hit .255/.302/.420 in 573 plate appearances for the Padres last year. He’s arbitration-eligible for the first time.
Aaron Cunningham and Gio Gonzalez both showed up on Baseball America’s 2009 prospect rankings at # 4 and #7 respectively. They don’t release the 2010 rankings for the A’s until 01/20.
Aaron Cunningham – OF – 5′ 11″ 195 lbs – Bats: Right – Throws: Right – 6th Round (185th) 2005 Draft – 23 y/o
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