Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Padres' Towers Making the Right Moves

As reported on their website, the Padres agreed to a new contract today with RH pitcher Chris Young. According to the site, Young will receive a $500k signing bonus along with $750k this season, $2.5MM in ’08, $4.5MM in ’09, $6.25MM in ’10, and an option for $8.5MM (although it could be as much as $11MM pending performance) in ’11. If his back holds up, this is an excellent signing.

Due to his 6’ 10” stature, Young’s fastball reaches the plate quicker than radar guns would suggest. His K/9 IP rate has been going in the right direction, as it reached over 8 per 9 innings in 2006.

What was surprising, however, was that upon leaving Texas, his HR/9 IP actually increased. In 2005, Young gave up 1.04 HR/9 in Texas, but upped this to 1.41 HR/9 after his move to pitcher-friendly PETCO (he actually gave up 18 at home vs. 10 on the road). His .49 GB/FB rate is telling and although he has always been a fly ball pitcher, this was about a 28% drop from his 2005 campaign. It stands to reason, though, that this could very possibly be due to his injured back. I honestly don’t recall watching any of his starts last season, but it seems that if his back was giving him problems, he could have issues with his follow through (it wouldn't take much, due to his height and already elevated release point) which would result in him leaving pitches up. But, as I said, if back problems are behind him and he can learn to keep the ball lower in the zone, this is a very good signing.

Even better, Young’s signing comes on the heels of the Adrian Gonzalez extension earlier in the month. With those two signed through 2011 (if options are exercised), Peavy inked through ’08 (option), Brian Giles under control with an option through ’09 (his power is gone, but at least he gets on), and an above average bullpen, the Padres are in good shape. I really like the way that GM Kevin Towers is building this club and, if they can find a little power, San Diego should be in contention in the coming years with Arizona for the NL West title.

Other things from Tuesday…


  • The Nationals are just as bad as advertised, if not worse. It’s like watching a AA team with dropped throws, misjudged flies, and no approach at the plate. You have to feel bad for manager Manny Acta , managing the worst team in baseball, he looked completely defeated (and a lot like Kevin Malone from “The Office) in the dugout:


  • Hudson looked very good against the Nats, but since he was throwing against…well, the Nats, I was looking at the way he pitched over his line (both were good). Keeping the ball down all night, Hudson showed good action on his fastball and worked well on both sides of the plate. It’s only been two starts, but from a scouting standpoint, you have to be pleased with what Hudson’s shown this year.


  • Francoeur had a horrible AB in the first, swinging at the first pitch he saw with one out and grounding into a double play with the bases loaded after Andruw Jones had just walked on four straight pitches. In the 5th, however, Francoeur worked a 5 pitch AB and eventually took a breaking ball over the outer half of the plate into right center. He is a maddening player. Even his homerun in the 8th was on the first pitch after a walk. Good result, but look at the process…I’m not a fan of that AB.


  • Alex Gordon hit the first bomb of his career. KC fans need to be patient with him…he’s going to be worth the wait.


  • Alex Rodriguez hit a homerun in his 4th consecutive game and added two walks to tonight’s line. However, he’s going 4 ½ ABs between homeruns this year, and as any New Yorker will tell you, that’s just unacceptable.


  • Mariners and Cubs fans have to be pretty worried after the debuts of Jeff Weaver and Jason Marquis…pretty terrible. You think every player becoming a free agent after this season is just praying that Bill Bavasi and Jim Hendry can hold their jobs through next offseason?

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