Changes are already being made for the 99-loss Padres -- mostly addition by subtraction. Since the end of the season, five players have been waived from the 40-man roster (only one, RHP Dirk Hayhurst, was claimed by another team, which gives you an idea of the overall talent level) and five more were outrighted to Class AAA Portland. Plus, the Padres are fielding trade offers for RHP Jake Peavy, the National League Cy Young Award winner in 2007. Questions left unanswered: 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? And there are questions at second, short (thanks to Khalil Greene's poor showing in 2008 plus his season-ending injury), catcher and at least one outfield spot.
BIGGEST NEEDS: The Padres bullpen was the best in the National League in 2007. In 2008, 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 having been jettisoned). The Padres desperately need another big bat in the outfield. FREE AGENTS: RF Brian Giles, RHP Trevor Hoffman, C Michael Barrett, C Josh Bard, LHP Shawn Estes, RHP Mark Prior, OF Chip Ambres
The Padres say they want to re-sign Hoffman, but they haven't heard a response from the all-time saves leader to their first contract offer. 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 and Bard (who was arbitration-eligible) 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, OF Jody Gerut, OF Scott Hairston, INF Luis Rodriguez
Bell is upset that the Padres didn't sign an agreement that was sitting on CEO Sandy Alderson's desk at the end of the season. Rodriguez could be the front-runner at second 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. Hensley could be non-tendered if he isn't dealt.
IN LIMBO: Hairston or Gerut, 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff and SS Khalil Greene could be dealt for the right return. Anyone in the bullpen aside from Hoffman (and possibly Bell) could be available. But there's not going to be much of a market for the players the Padres would make expendable. Greene, Hairston and Gerut were all injured at the end of the season.
MEDICAL WATCH:
SS Khalil Greene (broken bone in his left hand) is rehabbing on schedule.
OF Scott Hairston (left thumb ligament surgery in September 2008) is rehabbing on schedule.
RHP Mark Prior (right shoulder surgeries in April 2007 and June 2008) wants to resume his career next spring.
OF Jody Gerut (ligament strain in left middle finger) missed the final month of the season.
RHP Chad Reineke (stress reaction in right scapula) had his season end in mid-September.
