Currently, China has taken over USA in Energy consumption and consequently there will be a race for Energy resources. In order to retain it’s Security and Social status, USA needs to step up to acquire more resources and protect those they own. As we now focus on baseball, the same can be applied. Believe it or not, all contending teams in the NL West Division are seeking pitchers thus an Arms Race is here. The team that acquires that pitcher who will put them over the top, will consequently win the division or better yet control the direction on what other teams will be faced to do before the trading deadline. These next few days (5 or less) are critical. How come ? Well, let’s break it down:

1. The first team to acquire that front-line pitcher to it’s pitching staff, will set the tone for the rest of the division.
2. Based on activity #1 stated above, other teams in the division will be pressured to get something done in terms of balancing the power in the division.

The question is, which end of the above scenario would you rather be positioned in? In my humblest opinion, I rather be the one who dictates rather than one who is trying to catch up. Therefore, the Padres are the ones who should take the initiative and dictate what it will take to overcome them for the battle of the NL West Division. In saying that, there are a few game changers that can be had by the Padres if the price is right. Let’s take a look at who.

1. Houston’s Roy Oswalt. The current asking price is rather high at the moment, though if the Padres were to toss in 4 players and have the Astros pay 1/2 of Oswalt’s salary this could possibly work for both teams. Oswalt would give the Padres that top line starter with World Series and playoff experience. The dude has won before in the playoffs and been in several tight races in September. Bottom line, people in San Diego will come out to see Oswalt pitching and a playoff appearance will bring in additional revenue for the Padres franchise.
2. Toronto’s Shaun Marcum. A young consistent pitcher who will bring added stability to the pitching staff and throws hard. The Padres will probably have to give up 3 players and on the bright side Marcum will be controllable for a few years salary-wise.
3. Baltimore’s Brian Matusz. A San Diegan, lefty and tall which fits the current mold of the Padres pitching staff. Something tells me, Matusz won’t come cheap, but Brian is also controllable for a few years and you can never have enough lefties in your system.
4. Florida’s Josh Johnson. I personally would put Josh in the category of Oswalt but with more potential down the road for the Padres. A very dominating power pitcher and can have an enormous impact on the division race. Josh will not come cheaply, but he’s another one who can put people in the stands and get the Padres to the playoffs. Huge return on investment in terms of potential revenue.

As I had alluded the Padres Franchise is in the driver’s seat right now, it’s time to DICTATE what it will take to win the division. As the San Diegan’s know, the past two months have been some earth shaking moments (earthquakes). Let’s see if the Padres Front Office stirs up the Arms Race in the Division and create a loud rumble. I hope it’s either Oswalt or Johnson from a fan’s perspective.

Another dagger thrown at the Padres in the National Media

Yet another MLB Sports Writer has denounce the Padres and basically predict a collapse upcoming. Take a look for yourselves Padres fans, Padres Collapse Due. I wonder if MLB Sports Writer Jon Paul Morosi has any indication about the world wide economy too and if he would be so bold to call out an Economic Collapse is coming. Morosi stated in the article, “The Brave will be there. The Padres won’t” – regarding the playoffs in October and “The baseball should be terrific, and it will be your last chance to watch the Braves and Padres play each other this year. One team is headed to October. The other is about to collapse.” WOW ! Dear Mr. Morosi, is there any concern about the upcoming Oil crisis ? The message of the day is don’t fear these outlandish remarks about the Padres. Which ever source you read, patch up things together and ignore the headlines as such as these. In October there will be a lot of believers in the National media regarding the Padres. Just do it boys and prove them wrong. At the end of the Day a Win is a Win and no one can take the Wins away from the Padres.

Time to wrap up this post and in doing so, here’s a great blues music video by The Groove Council called “Standing on Shakey Ground”. Ohhh Yeah !! That’s right Padres fans, the entire NL West Division, the rest of the MLB, Sports writers included are all standing on shakey ground as the Padres will rumble through the Division and make a post season appearance.