What is Chase Headley's role in 2010? ...
Happy Tuesday from Denver, where it's cold, like it-feels-like-I'm-back-in-Seattle cold. OK, it's 48 degrees this morning, but, apparently, three years in San Diego has spoiled me.
Anyway, the Padres arrived here late last night after a wild victory in Pittsburgh, where they took three of four games. They start a three game series today against the Rockies, who are tying to hang on to the NL Wild Card spot.
Looking at the game last night, Chase Headley had five hits, including the game-winner in the 11th inning. He's put together a very nice second half and is hitting .311/.386/.461 since the All-Star break. Walks are up, strikeouts are down. He hit .232 in the first half.
So I'm wondering about his future with the Padres, specifically, where does he end up playing next season. Will we see him again in left field, where he's gotten better defensively but still isnt' -- and this really isn't a knock on him -- the kind of defender the Padres likely want out there moving forward.
Do you think the Padres will move him in a trade? I know for certain that at least a couple of NL teams have shown interest in Headley this season. If the Padres opt to move Kouzmanoff -- I'm not convinced that's a good idea, either -- does Headley slide back to third base?
Other than Adrian Gonzalez and Kouzmanoff, Headley has had the most productive bat on the team this season. He has 45 extra-base hits, has shown, like a lot of other players, to be a much better hitter on the road than at home, can run a little (nine steals) and isn't afraid to take a walk. The downside? The strikeouts and his defense.
What do you think will happen to Headley in 2010? Is he in your starting lineup, if so, where?
Corey Brock, MLB.com, Padres.com, Twitter: @FollowThePadres, Facebook
Anyway, the Padres arrived here late last night after a wild victory in Pittsburgh, where they took three of four games. They start a three game series today against the Rockies, who are tying to hang on to the NL Wild Card spot.
Looking at the game last night, Chase Headley had five hits, including the game-winner in the 11th inning. He's put together a very nice second half and is hitting .311/.386/.461 since the All-Star break. Walks are up, strikeouts are down. He hit .232 in the first half.
So I'm wondering about his future with the Padres, specifically, where does he end up playing next season. Will we see him again in left field, where he's gotten better defensively but still isnt' -- and this really isn't a knock on him -- the kind of defender the Padres likely want out there moving forward.
Do you think the Padres will move him in a trade? I know for certain that at least a couple of NL teams have shown interest in Headley this season. If the Padres opt to move Kouzmanoff -- I'm not convinced that's a good idea, either -- does Headley slide back to third base?
Other than Adrian Gonzalez and Kouzmanoff, Headley has had the most productive bat on the team this season. He has 45 extra-base hits, has shown, like a lot of other players, to be a much better hitter on the road than at home, can run a little (nine steals) and isn't afraid to take a walk. The downside? The strikeouts and his defense.
What do you think will happen to Headley in 2010? Is he in your starting lineup, if so, where?
Corey Brock, MLB.com, Padres.com, Twitter: @FollowThePadres, Facebook
The Headley/Kouz situation has to get figured out this offseason. I love Headley's OBP in the second half, the same for Kouz's Slugging. But we need Blanks in Left next year, not Headley. I say get what you can for either this offseason. The long-term solution at 3rd is probably on the farm anyway.
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The Padres need to get consistent production from the 3B position, and it is clear that neither Kouzmanoff nor Headley can provide that. Headley is still battling .211 (.297 OBP) at home. Those are Brian Giles-like numbers. And Brian Giles was a huge liability. I wouldn't be surprised if both Headley and Kouzmanoff are traded as Towers looks for a power bat at C, 3B and/or RF.
But in order to get a power bat at one of those positions, the Padres are gonna have to give up some of that pitching of theirs.
And that makes me wonder about Heath Bell. He has great numbers this year, so he'll be able to get a huge raise through arbitration.
If Bell is on the block, the real question is this: Will the Padres bring free-agent closer Trevor Hoffman back for another year?
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I think that they should trade Headley while somebody wants him. He will never be as good defensively at third as Kouzmanoff is, he strikes out way too much, does not seem to get hits in clutch situations, and doesn't seem to hussle as much as most of our other players. Trade him to someone who is willing to give up some pitching. Keep Koooz at third and put Kyle Blanks in left field. I would love to see Blanks in left, Gwynn in center, Venable in right, Koooz at third, Cabrera at short, Eck at second, Adrian at first, and Hundley behind the plate. Bring in a few pitchers and I think we have a winning lineup.
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