--CEO Sandy Alderson is among the leading candidates to become the commissioner of the Pacific-10 Conference, and one source indicated the "job is Alderson's if he wants it." Alderson will step down as the Padres' CEO when the club's sale to a group led by Jeff Moorad closes, possibly before Opening Day. Pac-10 commissioner Tom Hansen is retiring on July 1.

--3B Kevin Kouzmanoff played in the field for the first time this spring on March 5 and made two strong throws across the infield. Kouzmanoff had shoulder surgery last November and was expected to be the DH during much of the spring. "I'm going to be ready to open the season and play every day at my position," Kouzmanoff said.

--INF Everth Cabrera, selected from Colorado in the Rule 5 draft, has the inside track to win the final utility spot. However, he made two errors at shortstop March 6, and he had made five errors in the first week of spring training games. "He's got to clean up some things defensively," manager Bud Black said. "I'm sure he's trying to impress. The skills are there. I think he gets ahead of himself sometimes."

--RHP Heath Bell, the Padres' successor to all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman as closer, has been added to the Team USA roster for the World Baseball Classic. C Henry Blanco also decided to go ahead and join Venezuela's WBC team. "I'm really excited," said Bell. "It's like being a 5-year-old on Christmas Eve. My only hesitation was to see if it was OK with (manager Bud) Black and Bals (pitching coach Darren Balsley)."

--RHP Cha Seung Baek, who is penciled-in as the No. 3 starter, is working on a change to his delivery with pitching coach Darren Balsley. Baek has removed the pause in his delivery when he brings his hands above his head. The change will make Baek quicker to the plate.

--RHP Mat Latos, considered the Padres' most physically gifted pitching prospect, has been roughed up in two exhibition outings. But the 6-foot-5 Latos is only 21. The Padres are apparently giving Latos, who has bucked organization staffers before, a little reconnaissance and a taste of what major league hitters can do.

--RF Brian Giles missed four spring games due to a strained quadriceps muscle.

BY THE NUMBERS: 40 -- Members of the 40-man roster who are signed after 29 first-, second- and third-year Padres signed contracts for near the major league minimum. $432,400 -- The highest amount paid to the 29, going to 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff. $430,900 -- The second-highest amount, going to RHP Cla Meredith.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Do we get a point?" -- Padres manager Bud Black, making a hockey reference, after the Padres played three ties in their first four exhibition games.