Over the past couple of weeks, I've been conducting ten-question Q&A's with bloggers for other teams in the National League West. It began with Mike Petriello of MSTI, and continued with Andrew J. Martin of Purple Row. Here, we continue with Geoff Young, who writes Ducksnorts, a Padres blog. Once again, a fantastic installment....
1. What are your thoughts on the prospects acquired in exchange for Adrian Gonzalez -- Casey Kelly, Anthony Rizzo, Reymond Fuentes?
I like Kelly as a future mid-rotation starter, and Rizzo's presence creates competition with Kyle Blanks at first base down the line, which is a good thing. I'm less excited about Fuentes than most. I have concerns about his bat. I've got Kelly as the no. 3 prospect in the system, Rizzo at no. 6, and Fuentes at no. 18.
2. Since the Adrian Gonzalez trade, the Padres have been labeled as non-contenders. Do you think the Padres have a legitimate chance to compete this year?
The Padres were labeled as non-contenders last year; they won 90 games, led their division for most of the season, and despite a complete collapse in September weren't eliminated from contention until the final day. I don't expect a repeat, but given the other moves they made this winter, my suspicion is that the 2011 team will be better than many people think.
3. Where do you envision Heath Bell at the end of 2011?
I have no clue. He wants a long-term deal, and I'm not a big fan of doling those out to relievers. I love Bell, but he can be replaced. It wouldn't surprise me to see him moved at some point.
4. Last year, we got a glimpse at Kyle Blanks, and he didn't impress, batting .157/.283/.324...do you think 2011 will be a different story for the 24 year-old?
First he has to get healthy. Blanks hurt his elbow in May and had Tommy John surgery at the end of July, which makes Opening Day doubtful for him. Once he is ready, he'll probably spend time in the minors to get reps in game situations and re-establish himself. I don't see Blanks being a significant part of the 2011 squad but maintain high hopes for him down the line.
5. The Padres had the best bullpen in the majors in 2010, but have traded away Mujica, Webb, Russell, and Ramos. Do you think this will have a significant impact on the strength of their bullpen?
Not really. They might end up missing Webb, who has the best stuff of the lot but who is inconsistent. Mujica eats innings, Russell is a lesser Webb, and Ramos isn't a big-league pitcher. Ernesto Frieri, Dustin Moseley, Chad Qualls, and maybe Evan Scribner should be able to pick up the slack.
6. The Cameron Maybin trade was a classic change-of-scenery deal...do you think it will work? At the very least, he seems to provide a good glove and plus speed.
He won't be any worse than Tony Gwynn Jr. and could be much better. Maybin is young and loaded with tools. The Padres gave up almost nothing to get him, so that's a pretty good move in my book.
7. It seems that the Padres have been able to acquire buy-low candidates in the hopes that they'll bounce back next season. How do you think Orlando Hudson, Jason Bartlett, and Brad Hawpe will perform in San Diego in 2011?
Hudson and Bartlett are both signed through 2012, which gives the team a stability on the middle infield that it hasn't enjoyed in years. Neither of those guys will set the world on fire offensively, but with the Padres' emphasis on defense, they should be good fits here. As for Hawpe, he's cheap and he's signed for one year, so he won't block Blanks and/or Rizzo. Hawpe's poor 2010 showing can be explained in part by injuries. He's young enough to bounce back, although any rebound may be masked by Petco Park. He doesn't excite me, but he's fine as a stopgap measure.
8. The Padres have added Aaron Harang, and have lost Jon Garland and Kevin Correia to free agency. Do you think their rotation will be stronger in 2011 than it was in 2010?
They will miss Garland's innings. Given Harang's recent history, he isn't a good bet to replace those. Counting on guys like Mat Latos and Tim Stauffer to carry a huge workload is a mistake. Latos is terrific but young and should be handled with care. Stauffer has battled injuries for most of his career. I like the rotation but worry about depth. A lot could go wrong.
9. How good is the Padres' farm system?
It's about average. The trade with Boston helped, but there still isn't as much top-end talent as I'd like to see.
10. Of all the offseason moves the Padres have made this year, which do you think was their smartest?
Moving Gonzalez. That speculation had been hanging over everyone's head for a long time, even while the Padres were trying to win the division last year. For as tough as it was to see him go, we all knew the day was coming, and it's a relief that we don't have to think about it anymore.
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I'd just like to once again thank Geoff Young for his generosity in taking the time to participate. Be sure to check out his blog, Ducksnorts.
