We all have been waiting for Padres’ GM Jed Hoyer to make his first transaction and he did so, in trading 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff and minor leaguer 2B Eric Sogard for OF’s Scott Hairston and Aaron Cunningham. I like the move in so many ways:

• This allows Chase Headley to start the season at 3B, his natural position. I feel Headley is a better hitter behind Adrian Gonzalez than Kouzmanoff. If my memory serves me right, Kouzmanoff struggling enormously hitting behind Gonzalez last year and stranded so many runners in scoring position.
• OF’s Kyle Blanks and Scott Hairston bring more POP to the line-up and I predict they will out perform Kouzmanoff this year, averaging wise, slugging percentage, on-base percentage and stealing-wise. This is not a knock against Kouzmanoff, but Blanks and Hairston are better fits for Petco Park.
• Adding Aaron Cunningham, I feel will provide Padres’ Mgr Buddy Black more flexibility in terms of playing all outfield positions.

The other transaction involved the free-agency signing of P Jon Garland and PH/OF Matt Stairs. Let’s take a closer look at these two acquisitions:

• In Matt Stairs, the Padres’ are getting a legit threatening PH off the bench with power. In addition, Stairs will be stability and leadership to the clubhouse as he won a Championship with the Phillies.
• In Jon Garland, another player who won a Championship with the Chicago White Sox and been in the playoffs with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. I see Garland having a huge impact on the pitching staff and don’t be surprise to see him win around 13-16 games with the Padres. Garland might end up leading the Padres staff if Chris Young is dealt away mid-season.

Being a Padres season ticket holder for 13 years now, I see Ownership, Front Office, Coaches and Players all having Pride and Joy of being members of the Padres Franchise. Since we are on this subject, this leads us to the video of the day by the late Stevie Ray Vaughn song called ‘Pride and Joy’