The Padres are in disarray. Having just won 26 fewer games than they did in 2007, they have more questions going into the offseason than they have plausible answers. Will they pick up the option on RF Brian Giles? Will they re-sign RHP Trevor Hoffman, 40, as a free agent? Who will fill the back three spots in the rotation in 2009? And there are questions at second, shortstop (thanks to Khalil Greene's poor showing in 2008 plus his season-ending injury), catcher and at least one outfield spot. And did we mention the bullpen was awful in 2008?
BIGGEST NEEDS: The bullpen was the best in the National League in 2007. This season it ranked third from the bottom. The Padres were outscored by 68 runs in the sixth and seventh innings, proving the ineffectiveness of the middle relievers. With rookie Nick Hundley the heir apparent at catcher, a veteran backup would help (Brad Ausmus is already being mentioned with Josh Bard and Michael Barrett both to be jettisoned). The Padres desperately need another big bat in the outfield. FREE AGENTS: RF Brian Giles, RHP Trevor Hoffman, LHP Shawn Estes, RHP Mark Prior, C Michael Barrett
The Padres say they want to re-sign Hoffman. Giles would get a $3 million buyout if the team decides not to pick up his $9 million option for 2009. The Giles situation seems to shift daily and could come down to a last-minute decision (which must be made a week after the World Series ends). Barrett will not be back. If the Padres can sign Estes and Prior to incentive-laden contracts, they will, but neither can be looking for anything up front.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE: RHP Heath Bell, RHP Clay Hensley, C Josh Bard, OF Jody Gerut, OF Scott Hairston, INF Luis Rodriguez
Bell became upset that the Padres hadn't signed an agreement that had been sitting on CEO Sandy Alderson's desk for more than a week at the end of the season. Rodriguez could be the front-runner at second base going into spring training. If Giles returns, having both Gerut and Hairston return is doubtful. They platooned for a while in center, but each finished the season injured. Bard and Hensley could be non-tendered if they aren't dealt.
IN LIMBO: Bard, Hairston or Gerut, 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff and SS Khalil Greene for the right deal, anyone in the bullpen aside from Hoffman and Bell (and possibly Bell).
But there's not going to be much of a market for the players the Padres would make expendable. Greene, Hairston, Gerut, Bard and Barrett were all injured at the end of the season.
MEDICAL WATCH: The Padres have two position players -- Greene (broken bone in left hand) and Hairston (surgery to re-attach a ligament in left thumb) already rehabbing on schedule from surgery. Prior had a second round of shoulder surgery in midseason and never pitched this year, although he says he wants to resume his career next spring. Gerut missed the final month of the season with ligament strain of his left middle finger, an injury that went from day-to-day to season-ending. RHP Chad Reineke had his season end in mid-September due to a stress reaction in his right scapula. At season's end, no one was facing offseason surgery.
