A Drama-Free Padres Spring? Maybe Not…

I think Stauffer is dealt before the seaon - both Gallagher and Latos are better than he is - and seriously does anyone loses any sleep over the departure of someone that is at best a fifth starter? I know he was the number 3 pick overall in 2003 but this is also someone that spent parts of five years in AAA.

Also Latos development, and he has by far the highest ceilling of any Padres pitcher, is much better served by him being the #5 starter this year.

Finally, it is my belief - and this is not based on any reporting - that AGon will be in San Diego for the whole year. Let Blanks get a year under his belt and then move him to first. Also the there are not that many teams that can afford the type of deal that AGon wants so only the ones that believe they can resign him will give San Diego the prospect package that they want.

The best deal is still to Boston - and for many reasons the trade to the Red Sox works best at the end of the year when Mike Lowell, David Oriz and Adrian Beltre come off of the books.

Additionally keep an eye on a possible trade with Baltimore at the end of the year - both of those teams match up very well for a potential trade. The O's will be much better than they were last year and there only real hole is the need for a cleanup hitter and first baseman by the start of 2011, they have the young pitching that the Padres would want to make a deal.

I'm glad you sobered me up at the end....I needed that !