Kevin Acee takes it upon himself to write about the Padres after winning a game of Candy Land with Nick Canepa

In the interest of fairness it is my duty to type kind words towards the U-T's Kevin Acee.

It took a week but a U-T columnist finally acknowledged the contract extension of Carlos Quentin. Of course the catalyst for the Quentin mention was the off-the-wall extension of closer Huston Street, but hey, complainers can't quibble. Or can they . . .


Of course they can! But I'm not going to.  I'll just suggest that you go read Kevin Acee's column, Street signing points in right direction,  providing this tasty nugget for you:

Clearly, what’s underway is an attempt to reverse history, to stem the attrition and to no longer be awful.

I enjoyed this line. Pointed and accurate, it's a piece of criticism that the Padres are deserving of, no matter how many positives future generations of ownership perform. The ownership of the hour in San Diego will always be paying for the sins of their Padres*. It is a disappointing reality based on more than 40 years of pain.

*Do you see what I did there? Padres = Fathers? Oh never mind.

And what of the Huston Street extension? When I heard that extension talks were underway with Street, despite his excellent numbers, I thought it was ludicrous! When I heard that the Padres and Street consummated the deal on Sunday I was incredulous!

Then I saw the terms of the deal. Two years at $7M annually for a relatively young guy who currently earns more than that in 2012? I'm not sure what Street's thought process is but I think that this was a good deal for the Padres. This is the deal the Padres would have liked to have given Heath Bell which we now see would have been like wiping our rear ends with $14M and then pissing on it and lighting it on fire. A disgusting proposition.

Huston Street's K/9 has jumped by 3 over the previous two seasons. Will this rate continue? If not what will Street look like as a Padre? And by what will Street look like as a Padre, I don't mean in 2013 and 2014, but in a matter of days?

In closing, I'm glad that Nick Canepa didn't write the linked column from above.

Carlos Quentin's NTC is not my biggest fear

In some ways I'm surprised by the Carlos Quentin extension and in other ways I'm just not.

Quentin is a guy who likely would have brought a return of value at the deadline so staying put in San Diego guaranteed for the next three years came as a bit of a shock yesterday. There are also the injury concerns that make this move surprising.


The offense has improved since Carlos Quentin's return from knee surgery and his presence in the middle of the order is a part of that resurgence. He's a guy who can pop it out of PETCO after 8pm* and the batting order needs at least one of those threats. Throwing a little bit of money at Quentin, along with the impending ownership change, provides a message of hope to fans. San Diego Padres fans are in dire need of this. I'm a big believer in hope. And belief.

*I don't have quantifiable proof that this has happened but I sense it. I sense that Quentin has muscles that are capable of such a feat. His 5 o'clock shadow** also portends late hour tower power.
** I don't even know what I mean. I'm just rationalizing now.

As I said,  I'm surprised and I'm not surprised.

So what's the problem? People are concerned about the full NTC* that General Manager Josh Byrnes granted Quentin. Worries from fans seem to be rooted in the days of Klesko, Nevin, and Giles. This is a legitimate worry. I don't think that offering NTCs will become this front office's MO but if it does then I will start sharing your fears.

The truth of the matter is that Carlos Quentin is a legitimate threat** and if the Padres are ever going to retain/lure a hitter like that to PETCO they'll have to overpay in some fashion. The Padres are overpaying with the NTC but that's OK. A major league franchise should be able to survive salaries of $9.5 million, $9.5 million, and $8 million over the next three years. As fans we shouldn't expect the Padres to have the financial flexibility and wherewithal to just begin dumping salary each July if they aren't competing. A major league team who can't aford salaries like this for an entire 162 game schedule should just be contracted.

*No Trade Clause. Not, No Timewarner Cable. Not, North Times County (because that wouldn't make sense).
** At the plate. And in the field but in a bad way. Cameron Maybin? Shade yourself to LF, young buck.

Carlos Quentin will never go the way of Phil Nevin. We won't hear of Park complaints. We won't read curse words from the lips of Quentin as he walks off the field and looks to Josh Byrnes' suite at PETCO. That's not who the Padres signed.

Now if you want to be as fearful as a father of a teenage daughter on prom night* that Carlos Quentin won't be on the field for 60% of all future Padres games due to injury -- well, then that there is a legitimate concern. Join me in that line, won't you?

*This is my future. It could be yours as well. And if you have a son you better teach him some respect. I don't have shotgun. And I really don't need one.

Notes: Interesting Fangraphs write-up on the extension.

Finding Stray Quarters. And Pitchers

Yesterday I found stray quarters beneath the seat cushion in my vehicle. There were three quarters, and they were together. By together I mean they were side by side, shiny, staring at me, edges touching as if preordained. This is an uncommon find but an important one nonetheless, good reader!

You see, as I found these three quarters, I felt like the Padres. More precisely I felt like Padres General Manager/Philosopher, Josh Byrnes. I now had a better handle on what it means to be a Big Believer In Belief.

Having difficulty understanding the significance of this event*? Let me explain.

*Yes I just referred to finding three quarters as an "event".


I don't believe in paying for parking downtown. Others feel similarly. In fact it's probably the biggest complaint* Padres fans have regarding a trip downtown for a game. Because I'm loathe to pay for parking I do my best to minimize this cost. This is possible to do. All it takes is the right parking meter and a few quarters. What do I mean by the right meter? There are meters downtown that allow you to park for up to 9 hours and it only costs 0.50 cents/hour. So if a game starts at 7:05 and you're intent on arriving early (meters must be plugged until 6pm) so you can get yourself to Lolita's before the line goes nuts then you can likely park for less than a buck. You see what I'm saying? Quarters are like gold in this situation.

*Aside from the regular complaints about the fences, uniforms, run suppressing atmospheric conditions, constant strikeouts, poor defense, Bud Black's peculiar line-ups, belligerent ushers who despise cheering fans who stand, inability to lock up players long term, and the absence of Gulden's brown mustard at concession stands.

Quarters are like gold. Except they're not. They're important in the context I've just explained but I still only found 0.75 cents. With inflation, I can hardly purchase a can of soda-pop with that much money. Those quarters have value but when all is told, they won't get me too far down the road of life. Those quarters are a symbol, though. Those quarters are like the arms Josh Byrnes continues to acquire in an effort to stem the endless stream of pitchers headed to the disabled list in 2012.

While I basked in the thrill of finding three quarters Josh Byrnes one-upped me by scouring the earth and finding four: Jeff Supan, Jason Marquis, Ross Ohlendorf, Kipp Wells. 

Yes, these guys are the quarters beneath my seat. These individuals are the discolored little quarters that, due to melting kid snacks, have become caked in a syrupy residue, consequently absorbing all stray hairs and synthetic fibers found in the bowels of my car. I intend no disrespect to these gentlemen as human beings nor do I wish to offend the utility of the quarter.

Signed as a free agent in February, 37 year-old Jeff Supan went 2-3 with a 5.28 ERA before being given his walking papers in early June. Jeff Supan was an old quarter, found resting idly in some California  restaurant. He's not even one of those new, cool, quarters representing a state. Jeff Supan was just an old worn down quarter from 1975, now likely taken out of circulation forever.

An old 1978 quarter in the form of 33 year-old Jason Marquis and his mustache rolled into town from Minnesota on May 29th. As a Padre, Marquis carries an unimpressive 1-3 record, but a spectacular 2.05 ERA. Perhaps he's more like the cool 2001 New York quarter emblazoned with that famous gift from the French, the Statue of Liberty? With a surname like Marquis it's clear that he too was a gift from the French. Jason Marquis is liberty personified!

Ross Ohlendorf is a youngster at 29 years of age. He's like the bright beacon of hope that is the star etched on the 2004 Texas State quarter. Ross Ohlendorf is 1-0. Ross Ohlendorf has struck out 12 batters in 13.2 innings. Ross Ohlendorf's name isn't even Ross. It's Curtis. With the complete absence of caked debris so often found on stray quarters, Curtis Ross Ohlendorf is a shiny piece of prosperity!

The most recent quarter found by Josh Byrnes, goes by the name of Kip Wells, formerly of the Chicago White Sox*. The former 1st round draft pick out of Texas is similar to that quarter known as Curtis Ohlendorf -- but without the star. Wells is older than dirt and that star has worn away. Last night against the Houston Astros, Wells took the loss while surrendering 5 runs, only 2 of which were earned. But when you throw 5 innings, giving up 7 hits and 3 walks the odds are never in your favor.

*The city of San Diego acknowledged this kindness from Chicago by granting exclusive negotiating rights to former North County Times beat writer, Dan Hayes. 

What does all of this mean? 'Tis difficult to surmise. The only thing I can be certain of is that the next time I go downtown, my parking is paid for . . . and the odds are good that Josh Byrnes will be showing off some new (old) quarter he came upon.

African Proverbs: The Padres Front Office Edition

While using African proverbs to identify Orlando Hudson's numerous missteps in a Padres uniform I also found a few others to explain the happenings down on 19 Tony Gwynn Drive. They didn't quite fit with the discussion of San Diego's second baseman so here they are in a post teeming with optimism...

 

If your cornfield is far from your house, the birds will eat your corn. ~ Pygmy proverb

 

What better way to explain the Padres decision to move their AAA club from Portland to Tucson with the endgame being a subsequent move to the Escondido area. Alas, California is a mess and with no redevelopment money coming the Tucson Padres are stuck in-- well, Tucson. Currently it is unclear if the birds represent the dry desert air that destroys the minds of pitchers and the mechanics of hitters or if the Nippon-Ham Fighters have advanced scouts in place. We may need a Pygmy to solve this one.

 

One cannot both feast and become rich.  ~Ashanti proverb

 

This is clearly a proverb never considered by teams like the Yankees and Red Sox. They need not consider it because they live in another dimension. It's a fantasy world, one in which money does fall from trees. The Padres, on the other hand, face a far different plight. The San Diego club in many ways serves as a microcosm of the lifestyle most Americans must choose. Sacrifices must be made before rewards can be reaped. Slowly the Padres payroll is creeping upwards. Responsibly.

 

Blind belief is dangerous. ~ Luyia proverb

 

While blind belief is dangerous belief in and of itself is not. Belief accompanied by probing questions. Belief in the process. Belief in your people. Belief in the belief that "Believe SD" was a winning marketing slogan for an overachieving 2010 Padres team that played meaningful ballgames until game #162. What I'm saying is, that it's essential to believe in belief. Not blind belief, mind you. Just to be Big Believers In Belief. Ask Josh Byrnes.

 

A messenger cannot be beaten. ~ Luyia proverb

 

In 2009 Padres President and COO, Tom Garfinkel, proclaimed that San Diego was and forever shall be a Breakfast Town. This was not his message. He was merely the messenger for what Rolf Benirschke had conveyed to him over, conveniently, breakfast. While Garfinkel received a lambasting for the insinuation that he knew San Diego after such a brief tenure in town, something funny happened. We (I) decided that as lovers of breakfast perhaps San Diego is a breakfasttown. Now in the AJM household every Tuesday night is Breakfast for Dinner night and the omniscient Garfinkel sits back and smiles. While Mr. Garfinkel receives holiday cards from the Vocal Minority he sends his to the Luyia in Kenya. He took a beating and survived.

 

You do not teach the paths of the forest to an old gorilla. ~ Congolese proverb

 

In late 2011 and early 2012 two pivotal moments occurred for the Padres. They signed Mark Kotsay to serve as a bench player and as mentor to a young club in need of leadership. The experienced clubhouse gorilla, if you will. 

 

Then Jeff Moorad attended the Baseball Owners meeting to seek approval for the full purchase of the Padres from John Moores. He was publicly rebuked. Moorad took the news calmly even though that no good bastard Ken Kendrickson of the Diamondbacks was doing everything possible to block the purchase. While John Moores flipped out and refused to vote for Bud Selig's continued stewardship of MLB, Jeffrey Moorad continued to stay the course. Calmly. Moorad understands the path.

 

Stolen things bring in misfortune. ~Kenyan proverb

 

On November 13th of 2010 the Padres obtained Cameron Maybin for Ryan Webb and Edward Mujica. On rare occasions African wisdom must be rejected.

 

Two male hippos do not stay in the same pond. ~ Azania proverb

 

After acquiring Yonder Alonso in the Mat Latos trade Padres General Manager Josh Byrnes decides that he doesn't want a Quarterback Controversy at first base with Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo is shipped to Chicago on January 6th for Andrew Cashner.

 

Money is sharper than the sword. ~ Ashanti proverb

 

In early 2012 the Padres decided to make a concerted effort to accumulate more monetary reserves. The first step in this process was to return all swords for cash-- a controversial decision to be sure, as everyone knows that swords are cool. First the trade of Adrian Gonzalez and now the Padres' surplus of swords. Nobody said it would be easy as a Padres fan.

 

Armed with the wisdom of proverbs the San Diego Padres' pilgrimage into 2012 continues.

Mat Latos Became a Red and The Tri-Tip Was Cold

The other day I finally ponied-up for a Baseball Prospectus subscription. I'd been meaning to do it for sometime and now that it's the only place to read Ducksnorts it has become even more imperative.

It was Kevin Goldstein's publication of his top eleven Padres Prospects however,  that forced my hand. Goldstein's overall evaluation was that the Padres have accrued tremendous depth at their minor league levels. Awesome! Is there anything better than spending money and having an expert tell you what you want to hear? I felt like I was in . . . Las Vegas.*

I did leave the reading of this article with concerns, though.


While the system has depth it lacks superstars on the horizon. Sorry. I'm greedy.

The projections for starting pitchers also caught my eye. Reports of Erlin, Weiland, and Kelly all sounded good, with big league arrival times coming sooner than later but they all project as #3 starters.

Sorry. I'm greedy. And I want more.

The only thing that assuaged my concerns was the notion that the Padres already had an ace in the fold in the form of Mat Latos. With Latos as the #1 perhaps the inclusion of three # 3 starters could still do the trick. Happy again was I.

Almost immediately I began to hear rumblings of a Latos trade.

This didn't make sense to my simple mind. With no stud in the system, why do it? The only thing I could think was that the FO thought Latos was a bad gamble moving forward. Kind of understandable I suppose. There have always been the maturity questions. Issues of the head, coupled with the propensity for pitchers' arms to fall off their bodies, could be reason enough to move the talent. I also thought it was more an issue of the Padres listening rather than actively shopping him. Whatever. I am simple.

Yesterday I went to eat tri-tip, an annual tradition. Before I could even get to the dinner table to find that the tri-tip was cold and undercooked, I got out of the car and checked my phone. Mat Latos was no longer a Padre. I was genuinely surprised. By both the undercooked tri-tip and the departure of Latos. Tri-tip needs to have the edges charred just right. The edges weren't charred just right, though. And Latos was gone. I couldn't make sense of it all.

 Fans generally react poorly to such news, especially Padre fans who have seen players in recent history leave for unknown quantities. There were those who expected me to absolutely tEAR ThE INTerrrNETS aPArt!

I opted for a more measured response. For the most part, I decided to wait. And I decided to read...

(Part II)

*Read between the lines.