Team Review Part II + Around The Horn

I’m away on vacation so I apologize for the lack of entries especially at this crucial time during the Winter Meetings.
I’ll address them at the end but will continue with my assessment of the Padres for 2010.

Kyle Blanks should be on the field as much as possible, guy just crushes and should improve vs lefties. I can’t say enough about his power and patients at the plate.
That leaves Headley to left field and he has improved but with Kouzmanoff’s year with the glove and bat/24 more rbi’s in 14 less ab’s than Headley. Both could really blossom next year.
What a great pick up Everth Cabrera is, talk about the “Third Year Wide Receiver Theory” for mlb shortstops but what will this kid do in a couple of years? Sure he may never hit 10 homers a year but the triples will keep coming especially in that national park known as PETCO.
I’m flustered over 2b though, Matt Antonelli has regressed the past few years and who can replace him as the next ‘best thing’?
Eckstein has been signed and I like that move but Jed Hoyer still is looking for glove to backup both middle infield positions.

Okay, on to the Winter Meetings and instead of the talk of Adrian Gonzalez to the Red Sox, it’s how many teams have called about Kouzmanoff. He’s gaining offensive numbers consistently and should keep improving.
So what can the Padres get for him or should they even be shopping him? Kouzmanoff is going to be due a raise but will still be perfect for the Padres’ needs so I wouldn’t send him anywhere unless the Friars can get a quality right hand hitting outfielder. If the player can play centerfield it would be a great bonus but what team has that?
Obviously Hoyer will not move Kouzmanoff or Gonzalez unless his trading partner really gives up a truckload of talent including some Major League ready talent.

Around The Horn: Wow, the Yankees keep getting better with the Granderson trade and Detroit sheds payroll. Arizona must be really high on Ian Kennedy who just can’t seem to put it all together in the bigs so far after a nice call up in 2007.

Till next time cheers!

Tags: Chase Headley, Cutis Granderson, Everth Cabrera, Ian Kennedy, Kouzmanoff, Kyle Blanks, Matt Antonelli, Third Year Wide Receiver Theory