Hey Padres...Score some freaking runs!

"Jolly Rogers" <jollyrogers RemoveThis @nospam.com> wrote in message
news:1214774783_10901@isp.n...
> <Chris> wrote in message
> news:vqvd64tslqnuq3j6i80bqho5bftki0mk35@4ax.com...
>
>> Impotent losers.
>
> The problem, prom my perception, is the manager. Bud Black does not
> understand how to manufacture runs early in a game in a pitcher-friendly
> park like Petco, and then allow his good pitching to hold the lead. His
> style of managing is wrong for Petco. I do not think he will last long as
> a major league manager.

A minor problem with that theory is that, frankly, the pitching hasn't been
all that good.
Especially holding onto the rare leads in the 5th-7th innings. The middle
relief has been shaky all season, and even the starters, who have been
generally good, have been faltering of late.
How many times on the recent homestand has the team gotten off to a 3-run
lead, only to hand it right back in the middle innings?

When you're not scoring runs, and the pitching can't hold a lead even when
you do, you're in big, big trouble.

"Manufacturing runs" with this team has some snags anyhow...
For one thing, there aren't really any stolen base threats... Gerut has
potential with his speed, but his 5-of-8 steal rate isn't what you're
looking for in a base stealer.
Secondly, there are damned few decent bunters. Aside from Maddux and Peavy,
I can't think of too many I'd want to have my money on in that "must bunt
the runner to 2nd" situation.
Hitting behind the runner is another skill you look for in a "manufacturing"
team, which goes hand-in-hand with working the hit and run play, another
mainstay of the "manufacturing" philosophy. Neither has been in major
evidence.

The team, as currently configured, doesn't appear to have the skill set to
be a "manufacture runs" team.
Add to that Alderson's overriding philosophy that puts on-base and power
ahead of "littleball" skills, and I don't think we're likely to see a
transformation any time soon.

The futility of our hitters in bunt situations (which have come up a lot
lately, late in games) would seem to argue for some extra time in practices
working on that particular skill.
 >> Stay informed about: Hey Padres...Score some freaking runs! 

I'll tell who I think is to blame, Alderson and Towers. Moores too I guess.
They're trying to pinch pennys, and do their scientific bullshit, while
thinking we'll go to the park anyway.

At the beginning of the season, all we needed were a center fielder and a
left fielder with some power, a second baseman, otherwise we had a good
young infield. Bard was good at catcher, maybe a better backup because
Barret can't catch, right field was good with Giles, our pitching staff was
okay.
Alderson and Towers did nothing to address these needs. Only bringing a
couple of
has beens and unproven minor leagers that arn't getting the job done.

And every time Hoffman blows a game you can see the team just deflate, it's
time for him to go on the disabled list.

And I can't believe we're not at the all-star break yet. It's going to be a
long season.


"K2" <K2PadFan.TakeThisOut@padres.net> wrote in message
news:JUT9k.4045$I76.2953@newsfe11.phx...
> "Jolly Rogers" <jollyrogers.TakeThisOut@nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:1214774783_10901@isp.n...
>> <Chris> wrote in message
>> news:vqvd64tslqnuq3j6i80bqho5bftki0mk35@4ax.com...
>>
>>> Impotent losers.
>>
>> The problem, prom my perception, is the manager. Bud Black does not
>> understand how to manufacture runs early in a game in a pitcher-friendly
>> park like Petco, and then allow his good pitching to hold the lead. His
>> style of managing is wrong for Petco. I do not think he will last long as
>> a major league manager.
>
> A minor problem with that theory is that, frankly, the pitching hasn't
> been all that good.
> Especially holding onto the rare leads in the 5th-7th innings. The middle
> relief has been shaky all season, and even the starters, who have been
> generally good, have been faltering of late.
> How many times on the recent homestand has the team gotten off to a 3-run
> lead, only to hand it right back in the middle innings?
>
> When you're not scoring runs, and the pitching can't hold a lead even when
> you do, you're in big, big trouble.
>
> "Manufacturing runs" with this team has some snags anyhow...
> For one thing, there aren't really any stolen base threats... Gerut has
> potential with his speed, but his 5-of-8 steal rate isn't what you're
> looking for in a base stealer.
> Secondly, there are damned few decent bunters. Aside from Maddux and
> Peavy, I can't think of too many I'd want to have my money on in that
> "must bunt the runner to 2nd" situation.
> Hitting behind the runner is another skill you look for in a
> "manufacturing" team, which goes hand-in-hand with working the hit and run
> play, another mainstay of the "manufacturing" philosophy. Neither has been
> in major evidence.
>
> The team, as currently configured, doesn't appear to have the skill set to
> be a "manufacture runs" team.
> Add to that Alderson's overriding philosophy that puts on-base and power
> ahead of "littleball" skills, and I don't think we're likely to see a
> transformation any time soon.
>
> The futility of our hitters in bunt situations (which have come up a lot
> lately, late in games) would seem to argue for some extra time in
> practices working on that particular skill.
>
 >> Stay informed about: Hey Padres...Score some freaking runs! 

On Jun 29, 7:55 pm, "ScottW" <Scott....RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote:

>  What skill set do they have?  Just curious.
> ScottW

What skill set do we have. We have essentially a triple-A team. Thats
our skill set. Some of our guys our ready for promotion to the big
club, Headley, brothers Adrian and Edgar Gonzalez, Kouz and Giles. The
rest are triple-A mainstays.
 >> Stay informed about: Hey Padres...Score some freaking runs! 

On Jun 30, 8:13 am, Padredog <padredo....RemoveThis@gmail.com> wrote:
> What skill set do we have. We have essentially a triple-A team. Thats
> our skill set. Some of our guys our ready for promotion to the big
> club, Headley, brothers Adrian and Edgar Gonzalez, Kouz and Giles. The
> rest are triple-A mainstays.

The trades should be coming soon.
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/news/2008/jun/29/padres-organization-so...could-r

Starting pitcher Randy Wolf, a free agent at season's end, is almost
certainly gone.

Pitcher Greg Maddux, whose contract contains a no-trade clause, might
be induced to move at age 42 for a meaningful role in one more pennant
race.

Outfielder Brian Giles, whose 2009 option has yet to be exercised,
could also be made available should a contending club dangle the right
bait.
[...]
The Padres' most logical trading partner could be the Chicago Cubs,
who have been running short of starters with Carlos Zambrano on the
disabled list. Thursday, the Baltimore Orioles shelled the Cubs for 11
runs. Friday, the Chicago White Sox scored 10 against their crosstown
rivals.

"Those things catch your eye this time of year," Alderson said.

Not much escapes Maddux's notice when it comes to baseball, but nearly
nothing escapes his mouth. Having spent parts of 10 seasons with the
Cubs, the four-time Cy Young Award winner is an obvious candidate for
a return to Wrigley Field.

But when asked Sunday about whether he might be willing to waive his
no-trade clause, Maddux was customarily close-mouthed.

"I'm pitching tomorrow, dude," he said. "Ask me next month. ...
Honestly, I'm just really trying to get ready for tomorrow, dude, and
I don't want to be out of that frame of mind."

Giles' situation is more complex. The Padres can keep him for 2009 for
$9 million, or buy him out for $3 million. Should they try to trade
Giles, his limited no-trade rights give him veto power over a list of
eight clubs. Should the Padres succeed in trading Giles, the balance
of his 2008 salary would be paid at a prorated $11 million instead of
$9 million.

"If the choice were his, I think the choice would be that he would
want to finish his career in San Diego," said Joe Bick, Giles' agent.
"Whether it's this year or five more years, he has no desire to go
anywhere else, but he understands that it's a business.
 >> Stay informed about: Hey Padres...Score some freaking runs!