--Matt Bush, one of the more controversial figures in the history of the Padres, is being moved out of the franchise. The Padres designated Bush, the first overall pick of the 2004 draft, for assignment Feb. 5, a day after the shortstop-turned-pitcher was allegedly involved in a drunken assault at an east San Diego County high school. According to a witness, Bush was drunk, threw a golf club, picked up one freshman lacrosse player at the school and hit another one. Bush also allegedly yelled: "I'm Matt (expletive) Bush" and "(expletive) East County." Bush then allegedly jumped into his Mercedes and drove over a curb while leaving the campus.
El Cajon police contacted the Padres the following morning trying to locate Bush, but the player failed to appear at Petco Park for scheduled workout. Later that day, Bush was designated for assignment. "Matt Bush's days with the Padres are essentially over," said Padres general manager Kevin Towers while announcing Bush's designation before the allegations of the assault became public.
In 2004, less than two weeks after being drafted by the Padres, Bush, then 18, was charged with felony assault and misdemeanor trespassing for an incident near the Padres' training complex in Peoria, Ariz. The Padres suspended Bush for a month and he paid a $1,000 fine and was placed on probation. Last summer, Bush was involved in another incident in Peoria in which he was injured.
Bush was also a bust on the field. As a shortstop, he hit only .219 in the minors and never advanced beyond high Class A. After only 7 1/3 innings as a pitcher in 2007 -- a span during which he allowed only one run while striking out 16 with his fastball topping 90 mph at the rookie level -- Bush underwent Tommy John surgery.
--The timing of Bush's latest brush with authorities couldn't have been worse for the player. The Padres apparently got word of Bush's Feb. 4 trouble as they were trying to find a spot on the 40-man roster for veteran left-handed-hitting OF Cliff Floyd, who officially agreed to terms with the Padres early on Feb. 5. The Padres were already at the 40-man limit when they signed Floyd, meaning someone had to go.
--The Padres signed Floyd to a one-year contract for $750,000 to serve as a left-handed pinch hitter and a designated hitter for interleague games in American League parks -- in addition to giving the Padres a veteran leader in the clubhouse. Floyd, 36, hit .268 in 80 games with American League champion Tampa Bay last season. He had 11 homers in 246 at-bats.
--RHP Mark Prior is "throwing free and easy" as he attempts to come back from a second round of shoulder surgery in as many years. Prior has not pitched in the major leagues since 2006. "But if he is healthy, he's my ace in the hole," Padres general manager Kevin Towers said.
--Jeff Moorad will replace Sandy Alderson as the Padres' CEO by Opening Day if the sale of the Padres closes as expected. Moorad is still adding to a group of investors that will be buying the Padres from John Moores on an installment plan over the next three to five years. The plan calls for Moorad's group to immediately gain 33 percent of the franchise upon closing.
BY THE NUMBERS: 8 -- Pitchers going to spring training vying for the final two spots in the rotation.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I will be leaving the organization ... upon the closing of the sale." -- Padres CEO Sandy Alderson, shortly after the announcement was made that Jeff Moorad will become the CEO upon the closing of his group's purchase of the Padres. Moorad's role as CEO is part of the sales agreement.
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