An legit big bat is coming to San Diego, it’s about time !! Many of us loyal season ticket holders have been waiting for this day to come. Thank You ! Padres’ GM Jed Hoyer. It has been years since the last big bat arrived in San Diego (Greg Vaughn in 1996). Joining the Padres on Sunday will be OF Ryan Ludwick and he will bring the much needed protection behind Adrian Gonzalez. Let me repeat this San Diegans, the Padres Front Office is very serious about winning the division and going deep into the post season. Remember “We Believe“, that is the motto for the 2010 Padres season. Now, I wonder who will have to be removed from the 25 man roster to accommodate Ludwick ? Let’s take a look at the personnel in question, based on my perspective.
- OF Tony Gwynn Jr. This past week Gwynn has come up in critical key situations and strike out looking. Tony is currently hitting at .217 and offensively is regressing very rapidly. Sure, he has a great glove and dynamic speed. Though, I am sure Luis Durango can do the same and better. Gwynn Jr. is a good candidate to be sent down if he has options.
- OF Chris Denorfia. As with Cunningham, Denorfia has options but has heavily contributed this season. In fact, Denorfia has been hitting the long ball in July and provides speed as well. A demotion to the minor league does not make any sense but the same could be said for Cunningham.
In terms of pure production overall, I would have to say that Tony Gwynn Jr. is on the bubble. But, just like with the US Economy the bail-out packages are not the best interest for the American public, debt on top of debt impedes the Economy. In baseball terms, a demotion for Denorfia is highly probable and it will not make any sense baseball wise.
Playing left field has been an adventure as of late….
Padres’ OF Scott Hairston has been facing the demons from the outfield the past 2 out of 3 games in left field. On both occasions, Scott has allowed the ball to dictate his awful approach to it. Both times, Scott hesitated and made two critical errors which led to runs for the opponents. Could you have said, Ludwick is arriving just in time ? Perhaps, Will Venable will be starting in Center or Left on Sunday against the Marlins.
Alright Padres Fans, it’s time to close out this post. A blues music video by Eric Sardinas titled “I Can’t Be Satisfied” is dedicated to both Tony Gywnn Jr. and Scott Hairston. How come? Well, Gywnn for striking out way too frequently in key situations with runners in scoring position, and Hairston for his “Barnum and Baily Circus Routine” in left field.