Ah yes ! Kevin Towers came through once again with another trade as the Padres picked up RHP Ed Mujica from the Cleveland Indians. While watching the game on Monday night against the Cleveland Indians, I had heard the MLB Network announcers talk about Mujica being out of options. I had noticed that Towers, DePodesta, and another Padres scout watching the game behind home plate. A thought did occur that perhaps the Padres brain-trust were semi-interested in Mujica. I just didn’t think Mujica would be the choice after that showing on Monday night against the Padres. I thought either Niemann from Rays or Chad Gaudin of the Cubs would become Padres. In either case, Mujica will help the bullpen and offer more flexibility for the Padres when Baek or Prior come onto the scene. As Corey Brock alluded, it will be interesting to see who wins that final spot in the bullpen. Being a contrarian that I am, I’ll go with lefty Arturo Lopez and send Luke Gregerson down to the minors. The Padres can’t lose in this scenario, though I will admit Gregerson’s ball has some outstanding movement.

You have to give some credit to Towers and the scouting department as they have introduced Walter Silva, Ed Mujica, Arturo Lopez, Edwin Moreno, Eulogio De La Cruz, and Everth Cabrera for a grand total of 8 new players to the big leagues. It should be an exciting Opening Week at Petco and we will get our chance to beat those Bums to the North of us.

For a closing video of the night, I thought a song titled ‘What is Hip?’ by Tower of Power and Carlos Santana to be dedicated to those Padres players who are new to the big leagues. It’s Hip to be a professional ballplayer….