Hall of Famer Dave Winfield Joins ESPN

 

Baseball Hall of Famer Dave Winfield has joined ESPN as a Baseball Tonight analyst and will mainly work Sundays and select Mondays with host Karl Ravech and analysts Peter Gammons and John Kruk throughout the Major League Baseball season.  He will appear on Baseball Tonight Sunday, April 5, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2, leading into Opening Night – Atlanta vs. Philadelphia – at 8 p.m. 

 

Go Pads

What numbers do you expect from Kulbacki at San Antonio this year (if hes healthy)?

 John Manuel: (2:34 PM ET ) Daniel, I just had this discussion with a Padres fan last night. I've never thought of Kulbacki as a stud; I've always thought of him as a guy who can hit, but he just seems like a Jeremy Giambi kind of guy, a guy who is limited aside from his bat and who doesn't hit enough home runs to really make up for that lack of all-around play. If I'm selling him short, I'll be glad to admit it in a couple of years. I just have never heard a scout get excited about Kellen Kulbacki, except about the fact that he's a natty dresser.

San Diego, CA – The San Diego Padres announced today that they have acquired a player to be named later or cash considerations from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for right-handed pitcher Matt Bush.  Executive Vice President/General Manager Kevin Towers made the announcement.

      Additionally, Director of International Scouting/Major League Scout Randy Smith announced that the club has hired former Padre John Vander Wal as a professional scout.       Bush, 23, did not play in 2008 after undergoing reconstructive surgery on the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow (Tommy John surgery) in August of 2007 and was designated for assignment by the Padres on February 5.  A native of San Diego, Bush was selected by the Padres first overall in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft.  He began his minor league career as a shortstop, batting .219 (158-for-722) with 22 doubles, five triples, three home runs, 70 RBI, 86 runs scored, 71 walks and 15 stolen bases in 206 games over parts of four seasons (2004-07) at the Rookie, Short-A and Single-A levels.  Converted to pitcher during the 2007 campaign, Bush went 1-0 with a 1.17 ERA (1 ER/7.2 IP), 16 strikeouts and two walks in seven relief appearances between Rookie-level Peoria and Single-A Fort Wayne.

PADRES AGREE TO TERMS ON A ONE-YEAR CONTRACT WITH OUTFIELDER CLIFF FLOYD ― Club designates right-handed pitcher Matt Bush for assignment ―       San Diego, CA – The San Diego Padres announced today that they have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with outfielder Cliff Floyd.  Additionally, the club has designated right-handed pitcher Matt Bush for assignment.  Executive Vice President/General Manager Kevin Towers made the announcements.       “I am thrilled to add a veteran player like Cliff, who has been a proven offensive force over his career,” said Towers. “As a former World Series champion who has been to the postseason each of the past three years, his experience and leadership will be invaluable on our young team.  We are fortunate to sign a player who is as excited to be here as we are to have him.”       Floyd, 36, made 72 starts with the Tampa Bay Rays last season, all as designated hitter.  In 80 games overall, he hit .268 (66-for-246) with 13 doubles, 11 home runs, 39 RBI and 32 runs scored.  Floyd appeared in seven postseason games with Tampa Bay, going 4-for-18 (.222) with one double, one home run, two RBI and three runs scored.  Previously, he appeared in the postseason on the World Series champion Florida Marlins in 1997 and with the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs in 2006 and 2007 respectively.       The left-handed hitter is a veteran of 16 seasons in Major League Baseball.  Since making his debut with Montreal in 1993, he has hit .279 (1,477-for-5,303) with 340 doubles, 23 triples, 233 home runs, 865 RBI and 824 runs scored in 1,611 games with the Expos (1993-96, 2002), Florida Marlins (1997-2002), Boston Red Sox (2002), New York Mets (2003-06), Chicago Cubs (2007) and Rays (2008).       Floyd has posted a .976 fielding percentage as an outfielder, appearing in 1,252 games.  He ranks ninth among active players with 1,226 outfield games in the National League.  Additionally, Floyd ranks tied for 10th among active players with 75 outfield assists in the NL (76 overall).       Bush, who turns 23 on February 8, did not play in 2008 after undergoing reconstructive surgery on the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow (Tommy John surgery) in August of 2007.  A native of San Diego, Bush was selected by the Padres first overall in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft.  He began his minor league career as a shortstop, batting .219 (158-for-722) with 22 doubles, five triples, three home runs, 70 RBI, 86 runs scored, 71 walks and 15 stolen bases in 206 games over parts of four seasons (2004-07) at the Rookie, Short-A and Single-A levels.  Converted to pitcher during the 2007 campaign, Bush went 1-0 with a 1.17 ERA (1 ER/7.2 IP), 16 strikeouts and two walks in seven relief appearances between Rookie-level Peoria and Single-A Fort Wayne.

SAN DIEGO PADRES OWNERS ENTER INTO AGREEMENT TO SELL CLUB TO SPORTS VETERAN JEFF MOORAD

­¾ Moorad committed to winning World Series and maintaining club’s legacy of community involvement ¾

 

SAN DIEGO, CA – Marking a new chapter in the club’s 40-year history, the San Diego Padres announced today an agreement to sell the team to a California-based ownership group led by Jeff Moorad, who resigned last month as CEO of the Arizona Diamondbacks.  Moorad and his group will buy the franchise over a period of up to five years, ultimately acquiring 100% ownership, subject to approval by Major League Baseball.  Under the terms of the agreement, the sale is expected to close and Moorad to assume the role of CEO by Opening Day.

 

            A UCLA graduate with strong roots in Southern California, Moorad has a 25-year history in professional sports, working for many years as a player representative for top athletes in baseball and football.  He purchased an ownership stake in the Diamondbacks in 2005.

 

“Jeff Moorad will not only bring to the Padres his unique experience, passion for the game, and proven leadership, but an unparalleled commitment to the City of San Diego and its dedicated fans," said Padres Chairman John Moores.  “I speak for our entire organization in saying that we look forward to working with Jeff to reach the ultimate goal of winning a World Series title for America's Finest City.”

 

“It is an honor to enter into an agreement to purchase the San Diego Padres, a team with a rich history of great players, terrific fans, and a strong commitment to the community,” said Moorad.  “I consider it a privilege to have worked out an agreement that allows for the orderly transition of ownership of the franchise over the next several years.” 

 

“As a lifelong baseball fan and a native Californian, I know that with this privilege comes the responsibility to field a consistently-winning team with an absolute goal of winning a World Series championship,” Moorad added.  “I also know that we have a responsibility to our fans, as they are the spirit and heart of the Padres, and I look forward to providing an affordable, rewarding fan experience for all.  It will be a hallmark of our ownership group to continue the same organizational commitment to the San Diego community that the Moores have spearheaded so admirably.  We look forward to being on board by Opening Day.”

Just go traded to Seattle.  What does this mean for Jake to the Cubs?

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3866647

I hope that this will kill the deal once and for all.   

I prefer the Braves deal Yunel Escobar would be a great addition to lineup and we could scoop up some free agents with the left over money.

I guess I have to type twelve more words in order for this to get posted.