Rays' Success a Great Sign for the Padres

Four ways the Friars can move forward

SAN DIEGO SPORTS

The Philadelphia Phillies won the World Series a little over a week ago, and good for them. The city can now rejoice in its first major title since 1983. Great starting pitching, a strong bullpen and timely hitting from their superstar players carried them through the postseason.

But with all due respect to this Phightin’ Phills, the team they defeated in five games, the Tampa Bay Rays, were without question the story of the year. In their first postseason appearance in the short 10-year history of the franchise, Tampa won the hearts of millions ... sorry, thousands of baseball fans, and became America’s darlings.

Why do I bring this up? Because the Padres are in a position to do exactly what the Rays did this year. Sure, the 99 losses is nothing to be happy about, but for the first time, a blueprint for success is available for a team in full-blown rebuilding mode.

Here’s how the Friars can start with what they have now, and build a contender.

Cut the fat

First and foremost, if you’re gonna go young, you need to do it to the hilt. That means not re-signing Trevor Hoffman. Yes, he’s an institution in the city, but he made $7.5 million last season and gave only marginal production. At 41, it’s high time to let Hells Bells ring for someone else and try to develop another closer, namely fireballer Heath Bell.

Buy out the remainder of Brian Giles' contract in lieu of bringing him back for another $9 million. He’ll be 38 next year, and yes, while he still hits for a decent average and gets on base, the money saved could be used to bring in one or two younger, more athletic free agents. The team should also let catchers Michael Barrett and Josh Bard walk, and go to battle with youngsters Nick Hundley and Luke Carlin. This would save the Pads about $5.7 million.

Keep your offensive stars

The Rays were successful, in part, because their corner infielders, Evan Longoria and Carlos Pena, are two of their best players. The Padres also need to rely heavily on their corners, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff. Both were quietly productive last year. Gonzalez put up career-best marks in homers, RBIs and runs scored, and must continue to be the pillar in the heart of the Friars' lineup. Throw in the emergence of Chase Headley in left field (or third base, depending on what the team chooses to do with Kouz) and San Diego has 3-4-5 hitters that will only continue to get better, and stabilize a run-starved lineup.

Focus on young pitching

There is talk of an impending trade of superstar pitcher Jake Peavy. While this would be detrimental from a fan standpoint, as Peavy is easily the club’s best and most popular player, it makes lots of sense based on where the Friars find themselves. Peavy is owed $43 million over the next three years, and there is little to no chance that San Diego will be competitive during that time. Why pay someone that kind of money to be the ace for a rebuilding, often struggling team?

I spoke to a member of the front office the other day and he told me that a deal similar to what the Twins offered for Johan Santana last offseason (highly rated starting pitchers Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy, and starting center fielder Melky Cabrera) would undoubtedly be enough to land Peavy. There are several teams in the Peavy sweepstakes, including the Dodgers, Cardinals, Cubs, Astros, Braves, Angels and Yankees. If the Padres can acquire two young starting pitchers and an athletic, everyday outfielder, they will seriously consider dealing the 2007 Cy Young Award winner. Team two talented up-and-coming starters with a rotation that includes Chris Young, Josh Geer, Josh Banks, and potentially Mark Prior, and that’s the makings of a strong staff in 2-3 years. And playing in Petco Park, having solid pitching equals wins.

Let the kids play

Your record is laughable, fewer people are coming to the ball yard, so why not let the youngsters go out and cut their teeth? Quick, raise your hand if you’ve ever heard of Will Venable, Matt Antonelli, Luis Rodriguez and Drew Macias? Anyone? Bueller? Those are just four of the rookies that the Padres called up in September. Their numbers didn’t light the world on fire in the handful of games that they played, but they are young and talented, and are decent pieces to build around.

Every team wants to be competitive, and the Padres are no different. But the organization also realizes where it is right now, and should take the appropriate steps to work toward the future. This is not going to happen overnight. It took the Rays 10 full years to even become relevant. But they built their team from the ground up, drafted well (Longoria, BJ Upton), made great trades for talented young stars (Kazmir, Garza, Pena), kept fighting and grinding, and they were rewarded with a World Series berth.

The Padres can do the same thing. But it starts now, and it starts by humbling yourself, starting over, being patient, keeping the ship pointed straight, and waiting for the ultimate prize to come.

Eric Yates, much like the rest of the city, isn’t a native San Diegan. He’s been here for the past eight years and has adopted the Padres and Chargers as his own. Serving as a full-time and freelance sportswriter while in San Diego, he’s covered the beat for both the Padres and Chargers. A sports fanatic, his crowning achievement as a fan was appearing on the ESPN game show Stump the Schwab and coming within one question of toppling the big guy.

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