Although the focus remains on the expected departure of pitchers Jake Peavy (via trade) and Trevor Hoffman (via free agency), the Padres recently came up with another problem.
Third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff underwent shoulder surgery on Nov. 15. The Padres described the operation as a "cleanup procedure," and general manager Kevin Towers said Kouzmanoff should be ready by spring training.
But the fact that the 27-year-old Kouzmanoff had surgery might have put a further crimp in the Padres' winter plans. Although he seldom draws a walk (23 in 660 plate appearances), Kouzmanoff hit .260 last year and ranked second among the Padres with 23 homers and 84 RBIs.
With prospect Chase Headley being a natural third baseman, there has been conjecture that Kouzmanoff might be available on the trade market. The surgery likely erases that option.
Kouzmanoff experienced shoulder pain at the end of the season and was treated with cortisone injections. "They didn't take," said Towers.
On the bright side, Towers said Kouzmanoff's rotator cuff and labrum looked fine.
Added Towers: "If they would have found damage to the rotator cuff, Kouz could have been out four to five months and missed the first two to three months of the season."
Meantime, with Atlanta withdrawing from the talks for Peavy, the Chicago Cubs appear to be the most viable candidate for a trade. As for Hoffman, he and the Padres hadn't talked, although Padres CEO Sandy Alderson said he was still hopeful of re-signing Hoffman.
