Check out the UT wrap from Sunday's game.  Aaron Miles says of Justin Germano, "He's one of those pitchers you hope to face when you come to the yard,".  What's a guy gotta do to get some respect around here?  This is what the Pads need.  A little nastiness!

Think Aaron Miles deserves a fastball to the ear next time around?

This team, while more talented, is just as boring as last year's.  I am so done with this it isn't even funny.  I mean, football starts this week (college), and the pros start next weekend.  Khalil's gonna be out much longer than expected and if he does come back will not be nearly 100%.  I gotta say, these teams have a history of either just playing to .500 (two years ago) or fading down the stretch.  This team, with the pitching they've gotten from unexpected sources, should be in first place.  That they are not is an idictment on Bochy and his staff.  These guys are simply going through the motions.  We need a Rex Hudler, an Eric Owens, a Ryan Freel, or maybe we just need Miguel Tejada.  I dunno, I'm just saying...this is BORING baseball.

Leads all AAA in OPS @ 1.026 (.055 higher than the next closest player).

Leads all AAA in OBP @ .472.

Third in PCL in HR (23, leader has 25).

Fourth in PCL in SLG. (has played 30 more games than 2 of top 3).

Has committed only 2 errors in the outfield.

Leads all organized baseball with 116 walks.

Is 27 years old (2 yrs. older than Ben Johnson).

Has appeared in 4 major league seasons, with a .721 OPS in that time (most notably, .260/.357/.521, 11XBH in 73 AB with Baltimore in 2003)

Why is This Dude in AAA?  Just because no other team is smart enough to give this guy a shot, we shouldn't?  Yes, I am aware he's a lefty.  Can't wait for him to go mash for someone else.

Many things are becoming apparent in the sporting world lately.  Primarily, these people are not real smart. So here's a little poll for you all.  Feel free to add your own entries.  Some of the most stupidest moments in Pads history?  I recall a certain catcher who now plays in the Astros system tripping over the mound while throwing home.  Pretty much any time Ruben Rivera was on the basepaths.  Jim Leyritz's comments about TGwynn on his way out of town were pretty stupid.  

Ok, so this Mike Thompson guy seems to be pitching pretty well, but we need to give him a new moniker.  Mike Thompson is probably one of the most non-descript names ever.  So I have a few suggestions with accompanying word association...

Mr. T - intimidating, irrational and merciless fury, 90 mph fastball in the ear!

Vanilla Mike - gansta, rhythmic, smoooooth jazz

Thommy Gun - loud, lethal, hot lead

jbox - sorry, already taken - but really intimidating!

So...I hear a lot of people complain about how KT has done some crazy things, and I agree with a lot of those people.  I was looking around, however, and let's take a look at what some of the guys KT let go this past offseason have done for their new squads.

Area 1 - Bullpen

Nice little note by Jayson Stark on our old friend Chris Hammond:

"...three season-opening outings by Reds reliever Chris Hammond:

April 3 vs. the Cubs -- 0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
April 7 vs. the Pirates -- 0 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
April 8 vs. the Pirates -- 1/3 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

So that's three outings, eight batters faced, one out, seven runs and a 189.00 ERA. Yikes"

Miss him yet, maybe Rudy's doing better, eh?

Rudy Seanez - 4 Inn. 7H 4R 9.00ERA  - not exactly tearing it up, eh?

A couple lefties who spend some time in our bullpen last year, Craig Breslow and Dennys Reyes, both failed to make their ML teams out of spring training.  The Red Sox and Twins, respectively.

Area 2 - Bench

Mark Sweeney has started the season 3-15 (.200) for the Giants, but is getting a bit more playing time than he would have here.  He's more splitting time with Neikro 70-30.

Robert Fick is still recovering from surgery, and has not made a plate appearance for his new club in Washington.

Blummer and EY are back (though I'm not sure why).

Area 3 - Starting Position Players

Nady is having an outstanding start for the Mets, hitting with average and power.  

Ramon Hernandez is hitting well over .500 for the Orioles, but is only hitting for marginal power.  That will undoubtedly come as it warms up in the capital region.

Sean Burroughs is on the DL for Tampa, but was not going to make the team out of ST, anyway.  Though, Aubrey Huff's recent injury may give Sean one more opportunity to prove himself of value.  Joe Randa's hitting .226 for Pittsburgh.

Mark Loretta got off to a hot start, but is not hitting .263 with 4BB, 4RBI, and 4 doubles.

Finally, Phil Nevin is resembling the player he was in '04.  He is taking walks, hitting for pretty good power, and decent average.  Would I trade AGon straight up for him?  Not a chance, but we probably couldn't convince Texas to take Chan Ho for him either.

All in all, I think KT did a pretty good job making this team younger at many positions, and filling holes with veterans in others.  I think I am most concerned with our catching (not a typically offensive position, anyway), the back end of our starting rotation (understanding that we haven't yet seen Chan Ho make a start), and our middle infielder's offensive contribution.  Khalil is flailing at the plate and Josh is yet to find any luck.  I think they'll both be fine.

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/transactions/index.jsp

3-30

Washington Nationals Purchased the contract of C Wiki Gonzalez from Triple-A New Orleans, who beat out C Alberto Castillo, who was sent out to AAA Nashville.  By the way, they also released Michael Tucker - I miss him roaming the 25 sq. foot patch of right field at Pac Bell/SBC/AT&T

3-29

Washington Nationals sign Royce Clayton.

3-27

Cincinnatti Reds signed OF Terrence Long to a Minor League contract and assigned him to Minor League camp.  Wow, apparently the Reds suck, too.  

Finally, even though he was not traded, Robert Fick is also among the recent ex-Padres who are injured.  No wonder we only won 82 games last year!