On Thursday the MLB owners will have their first quarterly meeting of the year, and expected to be on the agenda is the vote by the other 29 owners to approve the final sale.  MLB rules dictate that a minimum of 75% of the existing owners must approve of the new ownership group for the sale to be complete.

If this report is accurate, and the sale is approved as expected, it would mark a significant moment for the organization and the future of Padres baseball.  Immedaite impacts would include:

• Clarity on the direction of the team, and the freedom and incentive for the new group to move the organization in the direction they envision.
• Presumably the freeing of MLB to publicly approve the new FOX TV deal that has reportedly been in place for months.  I would expect that the approval for the Pads new TV deal will come shortly after the owners approval of the sale, giving everyone involved in the production of the Padres game broadcasts the ability to more freely move forward in getting their production and sales teams in place.  It will also reportedly provide a significant boost in the annual TV revenues, which is expected to ultimately be directed towards player payroll.
• The freeing of the Padres new ownership group to invest more aggressively in the team on the field.  With the team having two different ownership interests over the past couple of seasons, it created financial disincentives and uncertainties to openly and aggressively invest in the team on the field, especially in terms of long term contracts.  Fortunately, in spite of those obvious hurdles, the baseball operations department continued to invest in the minor league system and therefore the future health of the team on the field.  Now, with the probable consolidation of the ownership of the Padres exclusively to Moorad and his group, there should be greater ability and incentive to expand the player payroll.

Congratulations to Jeff Moorad and his group for what is anticipated to be the successful completion of the sale that started in 2009!  The Padres organization and the city of San Diego have much to thank John Moores for during his near 17 year ownership reign.  Hopefully the completion of this transfer will mark the start of an era of Padres baseball that will bring a long overdo and much deserved championship to the organization, the city of San Diego, and the Padres faithful!

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Jordan-downtown Smith

As for Kelly, & Cashner for #23, if u really think we got equal value, u are HIGH my friend. As for bait, & switch, Padres are very good at trying to bait us in to buying tix, & believing in the team this time of year, when we all know winning is not, nor has it been a priority in this town for years (switch). I say this w/all respect, accepting the job u did, u better develop thicker skin, bc us real Padres fans are tired of this shell game, & I for 1 will not listen to the SD Pad SCHILLS try to make chicken salad, outta chicken sh*t again!!!! Good luck.

A:  Jordan – Trust me, after being on the public stage open to criticism and bashing, and being yelled at from stands, emails, radio shows, etc. about what a crappy player and broadcaster I’ve been for the past 28 years, my skin is thick enough. It’s just so thoughtless and cliche to pull out the “you work for the team now, so everything you say is biased” card. You’re better than that, Jordan. I’ve known you to be a passionate fan for a long time, and I respect that. Your opinion, and that of any other fan is welcome here no matter what your take. The only things I’ve deleted on this forum (and I’ve only had to do it a couple of times) is foul language, or unnecessarily mean comments about my co-workers that have no constructive value. Funny thing is I have far more people wonder how I;ve been able to keep my association with the team because of my candor and willingness to constructively criticize, than accuse me of being a homer. My primary loyalty has always been to the game of baseball and the good of the game, and it always will be.  Regardless of what broadcast booth I happen to be sitting in I will continue my commitment to sharing my thoughts and observations about the game with passion and intellectual integrity.

As for the trades the Padres have made, there is no question that relationships between front offices are often times an important genesis to trades taking place. However, I’ve never known a GM to purposely make a deal that would significantly handicap his own team as a favor to another GM friend. Are there favors that take place, and “owe you one’s”, sure. But to suggest the Padres brass has been purposely making short sided deals makes no sense to me. It’s professional suicide short run and long run, as they are evaluated on performance and those GM opportunities are few and far between. Other GM’s know what is being offered for a player, and word spreads if a guy obviously took an inferior deal because everyone else wants to know that the GM’s that they are competing with in their own division are working under the same set of negotiating rules as they are in building their teams.

As for Gonzo trade and equal value, how do you get equal value for one of the best hitters in baseball?  You don’t.  How do you get equal value when everyone knows you have no leverage and you have to trade the player?  You don’t.  You go to the market and get the best deal you can, and hope that some of the pieces you get back work out.  if you are lucky one becomes an everyday player.  If you are really lucky two do.  And it’s a once every 5 years, maybe even a decade miracle when one of the pieces you get back turns into a Trevor Hoffman, or Adrian Gonzalez again.  That’s part of the reason I was so impressed with what the Pads were able to get back for Latos, and the guts for Byrnes to pull the trigger when he did.  Not an easy call with a talent like Mat, but he gave himself as good a chance as possible to get at least 2, and maybe all 4 of those return pieces to help the MLB team in next 2 years – that would be an amazing return no matter what Latos ends up doing in Cincicnatti.

As for bait ‘n switch over the years, I don’t disagree with you at all that winning has not been the number one priority within the organization consistently over the years.  There have been multiple stretches of commitment to mediocrity, and that does not get turned around overnight.  Hopefully the band aid approach is coming to an end, and a commitment to internal health (develop from within through investment in draft and development) is getting a foothold. Until it is firmly entrenched and consistently producing MLB quality talent the fans will continue to see the occasional good players that emerge drift away.  The frustration is that for many years the source of the problem has been largely internal, however the good news is the cure is also internal.

Jordan, we will not always agree, but we share  passion for the game, and the passion that you and other Padres fans have for the game is what this city needs.

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 They collectively drafted him while in charge of the Red Sox, then Hoyer and McLeod brought him to San Diego in exchange for Adrian Gonzalez, and now reunited as the new brain trust for the Cubs the trio again brought their prized prospect with them, this time to the North Side of Chicago in exchange for RHP Andrew Cashner.  For the Padres the transformation of the organization continued under the leadership of Josh Byrnes.  Again Byrnes showed that no one is untouchable as he works to build the Padres into a system deep in young, controllable, and valued talent.

The writing was on the wall that Rizzo would be dealt when they acquired first base prospect Yonder Alonzo from the Reds in the Latos deal.  The logical destination for Riz was the Cubs, and although several teams were in the running, Epstein and crew predictably got the nod.  Although Riz struggled in his time up with the Pads last year, there is no question the 22 year old has a high power hitting ceiling, and Wrigley will be far more friendly to his fly balls to right field than PETCO would ever be.  He’ll likely start in AAA, but will get his opportunity with the Cubs after he gets a little more seasoning, and tames the butterflies and long swing that hampered him in his first MLB stint.

Cashner, in return, gives the Pads what they need right now in a potentially overpowering set up man for Huston Street, and a possible starter down the road.  The 6′-6″ right-hander can rush it up to the dish at 100 MPH, and is controllable for 5 more seasons before reaching free agency.  He missed most of last season after straining his shoulder in his first start of the season for the Cubs, but returned to bullpen for the final month posting a 1.69 ERA in 7 games, allowing 3 hits in 10.2 innings of work.

When you step back and look at what has transpired in the past month for the Pads it’s certainly worthy of conversation.  Byrnes has made no less that 6 trades, including highly touted players like Mat Latos, and Anthony Rizzo.  In doing so he’s added an experienced closer, veteran power hitter, and several young players with high ceilings at first base, and the bullpen that will help the big league club immediately, along with several other industry valued prospects that could be everyday players within the next 2 years.  The Padres are now an organization that other scouts talk about with a new respect, and in some cases palpable envy.

When you look at the changes that have taken place, both from the prospective of talent and attitude, there is good reason to believe that a tougher and more balanced team will take the field on opening day than last year.  It’s still a work in progress for sure, but a foundation is finally being built in the Padres organization that can provide a steady and balanced stream of impact talent that will help the big league team directly, and provide an unprecedented bargaining power for the organization in trading with other teams.

Kudos to Josh Byrnes for being willing to make bold trades, holding no sacred cows, and for recognizing the need to bring a tougher edge to the clubhouse makeup in reshaping the organization.  Will all these move work out perfectly for the Pads as planned?  Of course not, but at least there appears to be a plan, and I for one can already see the purposeful forward progress, and can’t wait for the next move.

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If you are a Padres fan it’s hard not to like this deal.  Why?

• MLB Proven Talent Added: The Padres offense just got better.  Quentin has a track record of being able to hit home runs against MLB pitching, with 20+ HR’s in each of the past 4 seasons.
• Right Handed Power In PETCO:  Since the Padres first moved to PETCO Park in 2004, they have not had an established right handed power hitter in their lineup who’s power was to right field.  Much has been made about this ballpark being a death sentence for power hitters, but I think this has been largely overplayed.  Yes, the park is going to take away some HR’s on balls hit to the right-center field gap, and in general will reduce power numbers of your average batter because of the heavy, cool ocean air that takes over the atmosphere after batting practice.  However, above average, right handed power hitters that can drive the ball from the left field foul line to center field have shown the park is assailable. Quentin could finally prove that HR’s can be hit from the right side by someone wearing the home whites.
• Solid Home and Road:  Although as mentioned above I don’t think he will have trouble hitting for power at PETCO, he has put up similar power numbers on the road as well as home, so he should be a factor in every venue.
• Domino Effect: His presence in the middle of the lineup allows someone else to hit in a more suitable spot as well.  So often in recent years the Padres have been forced to put guys in positions in the lineup where they don’t belong.  Not only does this usually result in underproduction in that spot in the lineup, but also because the player is trying to do more than he can, or be something he is not, he underperforms even by his own normal standards.
• Little Cost:  Padres did not part with any players who they viewed as making an impact in the short run.  Additionally they dealt from their minor league strength right now which is pitching.  Erlin, Weiland, and Kelley were all considered ahead of Castro on the organizational depth chart.
• Short Term Affordable Commitment: Quentin is in his last year of arbitration and is projected to earn about $6M-$7M this season (same as Ludwick last year).  Next year he will be a free agent, so Pads are not financially on the hook for anything long term.  If the Pads like what they see they can choose to offer an extension for his services.
• Movable Chips:  With the addition of an everyday proven corner outfielder, the Pads could potentially move some of their unproven commodities in another deal, or at a minimum give them more time to develop.  This is a business and the more assets you have the more leverage and options you have, and the Pads just added another positive to the asset column.  Additionally should Quentin have a  solid season and the team find themselves out of contention at the trade deadline, they could likely move Quentin to a contending club and get a piece back.  They would probably not get as much in return as they would have prior the the recent changes in the new CBA, but something none the less depending on how productive he is.

The new Padres GM showed everyone in MLB  that he is not afraid to make aggressive moves in an effort to further add depth to the talent base of the organization as it retools around young players.

Latos, who went 9-14 with a 3.47 ERA in 31 starts last season, showed stretches of dominating brilliance during the past 3 seasons with the Pads.  His fastball regularly checked in at 95+ MPH, while his buckling curveball and improving change up combined to overmatch hitters, and generate whispers of Cy Young winner of the future amongst scouts and executives throughout baseball.  However, there have also been stretches of mediocrity, and costly lapses of composure and concentration that has caused some to wonder if he will ever be able to harness his electric stuff consistently enough to put together a full season of dominance.

Despite the uncertainty that surrounds Latos, anytime a GM moves a potential staff ace it raises eyebrows.  The return for such a potentially rare commodity should be high, and Byrnes appears to have cashed in nicely.  The plunder of talent includes three of the Reds top 10 minor league prospects in infielder Yonder Alonso, catcher Yasmani Grandal (both former first round picks), and right-handed reliever Brad Broxberger.  In addition they also added veteran right-handed starter Edinson Volquez.

It was no secret that the Reds were seeking starting rotation and everywhere they turned teams were asking for Alonzo and Grandal in return.  Alonzo has long been rumored to be a trade candidate as he is blocked at his natural first base position by All-Star Joey Votto.  Alonzo’s .330 avg., 5 HR’s and 14 RBI in 47 games played with the Reds last year only wetted his pursuers appetites.  Grandal hit .305 with 14 HR’s and 68 RBI last year as he rose from A, to AA, and finishing in AAA in the Reds system, but was also seemingly blocked from reaching the big league team by fellow prospect Devon Mesaraco.  Boxberger posted 11 saves and a 2.03 ERA while pitching in AA and AAA, and is recognized as one of the top minor league closer prospects.

The 28 year old Volquez went 5-7 with 5.71 ERA last season in 20 starts with CIN.  His best season was in 2008 when he went 17-6 with a 3.21 ERA, but the following year he struggled and ultimately had Tommy John surgery. He has been trying to find his 2008 form ever since. The Padres are expecting that pitcher friendly Petco, and pitching coach guru Darren Balsley will help him towards that end.

While I understand why some Padres fans may be upset at losing a pitcher of Latos’ potential upside, the return was well worth it in my opinion.  The Reds apparently feel that the time for them to win is now, especially with their control of  2010 MVP Votto potentially coming to an end in two years, and their division rival Cardinals and Brewers losing their superstar hitters in Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder respectively.  Their fervor to take advantage of this perceived window probably pushed them to do more than they normally would, and part with more talent than normal to land a starting pitcher to help them make that charge.

The Reds’ desperation to pounce may end up being the Padres long term gain.  Anytime you can add three industry touted prospects you have to listen, and with the team’s focus on adding young talent along with questions hovering about Latos’ long run stability this was a move that the Padres had to act on.

If all goes well for both sides Mat Latos continues his growth and helps the Reds with the NL Central, while the Padres add 4 players who at a minimum should all help the big club soon, and possibly could become impact players for years to come.

Congratulations to Josh Byrnes on this bold and foresighted move – the kind of move the Padres need, and it may not be the last.

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I am extremely honored to be invited by the Padres to join their excellent team of broadcasters, and look forward to adding to the great broadcasts that have been a hallmark of Padres baseball for many years.

There are several people that I want to thank for this incredible opportunity.  First, my sincerest thanks to Jeff Moorad, Tom Garfinkel, and the Padres organization.  I can’t thank them enough for having the confidence in me to share Padres baseball with the fans, and to be a representative of the organization.  Second, I want to thank my representative, Burton Rocks, for facilitating an agreement with the team through a process that was quick, fair, and uncommon to most negotiations created more good will between all involved.  Third, I thank my amazing family for always supporting me in my passion to be a part of the game of baseball, even though it takes me away from them for a large chunk of the year.  Finally, I want to thank the dedicated Padres fan base for your support over the past eight years while I covered the team as the pregame and post game host on XX1090 and CH4.  I have learned as much from you, as I hope you have learned from me.

To be able to share the action and insights of the games, and to talk baseball with Padres’ fans is an amazing opportunity, as is getting to work with and learn from Jerry, Ted, and Andy who combined have over 70 years of experience broadcasting Padres baseball!  I am equally excited about getting a chance to spend more time with Buddy Black, his coaching staff, and the players to continue my never ending education about this great game that we all share  a passion for.

I can’t wait to share Padres baseball with all of you in 2012 – GO PADS!

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Sanchez was 4-7 with a 4.26 for San Francisco last season, while Cabrera hit .305 with 18 HR’s and 87 RBI in his first year with Kansas City.  Both players are 5th year arbitration eligible players.

Kansas city continues to improve its pitching staff to help support the stable of young impact bats they now have in the big leagues.  The Giants appear to have solved their centerfield dilemma.  This is probably not a long term answer for the Giants in center, but if they are looking at their current window of making another run for a championship with Cain and Lincecum under control, this may fill the outfield void short run.

It may be argued that the Giants did not get enough for their hard throwing lefty who won 13 games when the Giants won the World Series in 2010, but they may have solved their CF need for another championship run.  More moves by the Giants likely in the free agent market are anticipated.

Fun to see some moves starting to take place.

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After years of being one of the most respected and storied organizations in all of MLB, the Orioles are now little more than a gutted wreck.  Years of ineptitude at the helm are to blame, and no matter how beautiful the stadium, how prestigious the fading history, or how deep the payroll pockets, leadership or a lack of it trumps.

Their latest fiasco of seeking a new GM, interviewing only 2 impactful candidates, then losing them both with one actually walking away after being offered the position is just the latest chapter of this growing anthology of how to waste envied resources and destroy a great franchise.  Orioles fans, players, and members of the organization deserve better, and hopefully they get it soon.

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For Channel 4, it has been a great and amazingly successful run since their first Padres broadcast back in 1997, with well over 2000 Padres regular season, post season, and special features being aired since its inception. For me, it has been a life changing experience to be a part of the CH4 broadcast team for the past 5-plus years. Talking baseball and Padres on the Pregame and Postgame show broadcasts has not only been fun, but transforming for me in my outlook on the game, my understanding of the connection that fans have with baseball and their team, and the role the media can play in nurturing that connection.

Each night I made it my goal to try to bring to our viewers entertaining, informative, and honest analysis of that night’s game, as well as the players and plays that were influential in the outcome. I hope that for those of you who joined us before or after the games that this was the experience you had, that you enjoyed it, and that you felt just a little more knowledgeable and therefore passionate about the game than when you first tuned in.

As I reflect on the incredible experience of the past 5 years sharing baseball with you, I can’t help but to feel a great sense of gratitude that extends in many directions. First to Channel 4, and it’s leadership for inviting me to be a part of the CH4 team. Dan Novak (thank you, Fr. Joe Masar, for the introduction!), Bill Geppert, and Craig Nichols were all part of the Cox Communications and CH4 leadership team that brought me on board, and I thank them for their trust. Also an integral part that leadership group was Dennis Morgigno, one of the original founders of Channel 4, and the person most directly responsible for bringing me into the Channel 4 family. Without Dennis’ support and mentoring, my channel 4 career never would have happened and I am eternally grateful to him for the chance he took in bringing me on board.

Part of what made the Channel 4 Padres’ broadcasts so excellent in my opinion, regardless of the win loss record of the team, was the quality of the people who brought it to life. I can’t say enough about the respect, admiration, and gratitude I have for everyone involved (and it is more people than I can possibly list) in the production and presentation of each broadcast. Behind the scenes of the game broadcasts and pregame shows it has been Tom Ceterski, Ed Barnes, Chyron Bob, J.T., and others in the truck, along with Dave, and Jim to at the pregame desk.

Every night on Pregame and Postgame our dedicated producers Jason Bott and Missy Moore were tremendous in keeping all the pieces moving in the same direction (sorry guys for all the late Scan’s Keys To The Game!), along with Ginger, Melinda, Knute, Matt G., Matt H., Justin, and Shane keeping us on air.

Two people that deserve a special thank you from me include Big John Spriet, who worked more hours and wore more hats than any stage director in television history, and associate producer Lorien Markuszka who was vital in bringing Scanalysis and Heyscan to life each night with her perfect video editing. Her ability to make video sense of all my baseball jargon directions, and last second game dictating changes allowed me the vehicle to be able to describe, explain, and teach the game every night – thanks!

Of course, I was not alone on either the pregame or post game desks and my co-hosts John Weisbarth, with whom I first cut my teeth with at the Pregame desk 7 years ago, Jenny Cavnar, and previously Steve Quis have not been just co-workers but close friends. Thanks to Johnny for always keeping me laughing and ready for anything, to Jenny for always sharing her great smile and supportive can do spirit with me everyday, and Steve during his time with us for exemplifying media professionalism and versatility no matter what the assignment.

To Mark “Mud” Grant (who first told me in an airport I should look into doing some broadcasting), Matt Vasgersian (who directed me to my first media gig doing Postgame on XX1090), Tony Gwynn, Mark Neely, and the iconic Dick Enberg, thanks to all of you for always being so helpful and supportive – all of you are exceptional broadcasters, and to quote Mud all “Good eggs”.

Thanks to the entire support staff at Channel 4 and Cox Communications in the production and sales departments, and to all the other on air personalities who I was fortunate to call co-workers and learn from over the years.

A sincere thank you must also go out to the Padres’ players, coaches, and front office members, who have always done everything possible to be available, answer questions, and support our broadcasts in every way.

Of course, none of what Channel 4 created over the past 15 years would mean anything if it weren’t for you the viewers! THANK YOU so much to all of you for joining us each night for the broadcasts, and for the great interaction you shared at public events, through the tens of thousands of Heyscan emails, and just simple hellos as we passed each other at games or randomly throughout this great city of San Diego. Thank you for your words of encouragement, the challenging questions that expanded my baseball knowledge, and yes even the sometimes contentious challenges that helped hold my feet to the fire.

Finally I want to thank my family. To my wife, Elisa, my daughter Ally, and my son Caden, thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to continue to pursue my dream of being around the game of baseball that has been a part of my life for so many years. Thank you for all your love, support, and understanding during the long seasons, late nights, and missed events, that allows me to still go to work focused every day. You are the greatest blessings in my life.

Who knows where the next landing spot is for my Channel 4 compadres and me? In my perfect world we all continue to be a part of Padres baseball with the new broadcast entity that is taking over, but the reality will likely be much different. Wherever the winds of fate may scatter us to, I know those destinations will be better off with the addition of the spirit and commitment to excellence that was forged through our time together at Channel 4.

Thank you, and God speed to all…now GO PADS!

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Anthony Bass will start in Stauffer’s place on Wednesday.  It will be Bass’s second start for the Pads, to go along with 24 relief appearances.  He’s posted a 1-0 record, and 1.88 ERA.

The Padres and Stauffer are still hopeful that he will only miss this one start, and be able to complete the season with what would be his scheduled let start against the Cubs the following Tuesday.

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