--The Padres labeled "highly speculative" a report that John Moores would have to sell 49 percent of the Padres in his divorce agreement with wife Becky. Moores reportedly owns between 88 and 92 percent of the Padres. Becky Moores filed for divorce in February after 44 years of marriage. In April, Forbes magazine ranked the Padres as the 19th most valuable major league franchise at $385 million. But the valuation of the club is unknown given the present economic crisis.
--The Padres have been doing considerable housecleaning since the end of the season, opening spots on the 40-man roster for prospects they might want to protect. C Josh Bard (30 years old, .202 with one homer in just 57 games in an injury-plagued 2008), C Michael Barrett (31, .202 and missed 115 games on the disabled list), LHP Shawn Estes (35, 2-3, 4.74 ERA in eight starts in injury-plagued season) and OF Chip Ambres (28, .195 in 24 games) all cleared waivers and became free agents. The Padres are interested in re-signing several to minor league contracts. And INF Craig Stansberry (26, .375 in 12 games), C Luke Carlin (27, .149 in 36 games), SS Sean Kazmar (24, .205 in 19 games) and RHP Tim Stauffer (26, 2003 first-round draft pick spent entire 2008 season on disabled list) and RHP Kevin Cameron (28, 0-0, 3.60 ERA in 10 relief appearances) were outrighted to Class AAA Portland. --2B Travis Denker was claimed off waivers from San Francisco. Denker, 23, was 9-for-37 with four doubles, a triple, a homer and three RBIs in 24 games with the Giants this year. He hit .255 in 92 games between the Giants' Class AA and Class AAA farm clubs.
--RHP Dirk Hayhurst also was waived but did not skate through unclaimed. The Toronto Blue Jays claimed the 27-year-old, who was 0-2 with a 9.72 ERA in 10 games (three starts) with the Padres late this season.
--Given the state of the economy and fan displeasure with a 99-loss season, the Padres are not raising any season ticket prices for 2009. Instead, 25 percent of the seating areas allocated for season tickets will see a price reduction in 2009 -- a reduction that could affect up to 36 percent of the season ticket holders. The ticket price reductions could mean a savings of up to $8 per game for season ticket holders. There was no immediate word on whether the adjustment of seat prices would extend to single-game purchases.
--LHP Michael Watt and RHP Eduardo Perez were acquired from the Dodgers as the two "players to be named" from the deal that sent RHP Grag Maddux to Los Angeles. Watt, the Dodgers' second-round pick in 2007, became available to the Padres when the Dodgers made the playoffs. The 19-year-old was 9-4 with a 4.35 ERA with rookie-level Ogden in 2008. Perez, 20, was 4-3 with a 3.38 ERA with Ogden and the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Dodgers in 2008. Perez is from Venezuela.
--RHP Trevor Hoffman has been named the 2008 recipient of the Branch Rickey Award, which honors major league players for contributions to their community and for serving as strong role models for youth. Hoffman is active with the National Kidney Foundation and Rady Children's Hospital in addition to supporting a program for abused families.
BY THE NUMBERS: 32 -- Players remaining on the 40-man roster after early-October housecleaning.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I would say our preference is pitching. Probably next, it would be the middle of the infield. It's got to be something we're excited about in the short term, and longer term makes us better, and I'd say pitching is our primary focus." -- General manager Kevin Towers, on what the Padres would hope to get in trade for RHP Jake Peavy.
