Have you ever sat down to watch a pot of water boil? It seems like that the San Diego Padres have been that pot of water for 4 years now. GM Joeshmoe, who took over the team in the Summer of 2010 has now been on the job for 4 seasons and yet not much has changed for the Padres losing ways. When asked about this Joeshmoe remarked:
"We've always been a team that tries to keep a tight budget. In line with the hard working budget of blue collar Americans, we too have had to keep player salary as the first concern while building our core. But this doesn't mean we haven't been successful."
"We think it all starts with the draft" Joeshmoe said. After a disaster 2010 draft, Joeshmoe quickly fired the scouting director and began the process of being more hands on with scouting. "I think that, since I've taken on more responsibility with scouting, that our team has really added a group of talented kids."
With Anthony Rizzo finding his groove (coming by trade of then hot prospect Maikel Franco), Javier Baez breaking on to the big league roster, picking up Christian Vazquez during the off-season and kids like Jorge Soler, Bryce Brentz, Alex Meyer, Rafael Devers in the farm; it truly seems like the ship may have turned.
"More change is sure to come, and although we are enamored by our guys, you can truly never know what is going to happen. We like our guys, but are they available? Of course. We're doing what's best for the Padres."
Look forward to a busy off-season, as the Padres have 23.5m in cap space and 11 draft pics. What that turns into next season, time will tell.
Halloween