The San Diego Union-Tribune's Nick Canepa had an interesting column Thursday morning, it can happen, suggesting that the 2008 version of the Padres might be the worst team in franchise history -- mainly because they're really boring.
The Padres are currently the team with the worst record in the National League and are saddled with what the newspaper correctly calls a bunch of AAAA players -- those who've proved themselves at the AAA level but just can't take that next step to the major leagues.
Whether this ends up being the worst team, though, is questionable. First, from a pure won-loss perspective, the Friars would have to go 14-46 in their remaining 60 games to equal the 111-loss 1969 expansion team. To just reach 100 losses, they'd have to go 24-36, which is certainly within reach. Add one more setback and they'd equal the low-water mark of more recent seasons, set in 1993 during the fire sale.
As bad as the Padres are, I don't think they'll go 14-46 to finish the year. Reaching 100 losses won't shock me, however.
Also compare the product on the field. The current Padres have a budding star in 1B Adrian Gonzalez, a promising rookie in LF Chase Headley, a solid pro in RF Brian Giles, a true #1 starter in Jake Peavy and the National League's top closer for more than a decade in Trevor Hoffman. Oh, yeah, no matter how much he's been struggling lately, P Greg Maddux is a first-ballot lock for the Hall of Fame. Everyone else stinks, but that's not a bad core for the fans to enjoy.
In 1993, the Padres had RF Tony Gwynn, of course. Beyond that were OF Gary Sheffield and IB Fred McGriff for about a half-season each before they were traded. Sheffield brought Hoffman. No one knew what P Andy Ashby would become and he wouldn't even give us a hint for two more years. Pitchers Andy Benes and Greg Harris had their moments. The Padres up the middle had Kevin Higgins at C, Jeff Gardner at 2B, Ricky Gutierrez at SS and Derek Bell in CF. I was around and following the Padres in those days and I completely forget Higgins and Gardner. Not even seeing their names in print brings recollection.
The 1973 and 1974 Padres each lost 102 games. Those were the squads that brought Dave Winfield to the bigs. Clay Kirby lost 18 the first year. Randy Jones lost 22 the next before went on his run of outstanding seasons. Nate Colbert led the '73 club with 80 RBI but fell out of favor the next season, replaced by aging Willie McCovey, who brought some curiousity and star power. In '74, no one hit above .286 nor won more than 9 games.
So I think it's a leap to say this team is worse than those teams. There's very little to be said about those teams. On the other hand, what happens if Peavy and Chris Young are healthy and effective in 2009 and they sign or develop a quality catcher? An extra year benefits both Headley and Kevin Kouzmanoff? Jody Gerut finds consistency? Then maybe 2008 is an abberation.
I can certainly tell you that 1993, 1969, 1973 and 1974 led to nothing.
---
I, for one, will miss Eric Parker. I love hard-working pros and good people, and he was both. However, he was mediocre as a receiver and the Chargers are right to be trying to upgrade their level of talent. Chris Chambers, Vincent Jackson and Buster Davis are all better than Parker and those below him deserve their shot. That said, I hope he does well and catches on somewhere.
---
I support Chargers GM AJ Smith in his reported prioritization that could cost the Bolts DE Igor Olshanksy after this year. The guy is good, no question, but recently re-signed DE Luis Castillo is better and Smith also has to find salary room for QB Philip Rivers, Chambers, Jackson, LT Marcus McNeill and LB Shawne Merriman. Those guys have contracts that run a year later than Olshansky, but there's so many of them that the extensions have to start coming now, as Castillo's did.
---
Despite some minor off-field setbacks, my confidence is growing that San Diego State can get back up to 6-6 this year. They're doing most everything right for a change, and that has to pay off sooner or later. And the odds have to swing back into their favor at some point. If the defensive line can tie up opposing blockers at all, the Aztecs linebackers and safeties could become terrors.
