Protected List Review: Misogynistic Padres

This kicks off the first of ten Protected List Reviews (in the order that they were received). First up, Tim Nygard’s Misogynistic Padres:

2007 Finish: 8th place

Non-Protectable after 2007:

• Chris Burke, 2B/OF, HOU (Contract Expired)
• Bill Hall, OF, MIL (Contract Expired)
• Luis Castillo, 2B, NYM (Had been traded from the AL)
• Jeff Suppan, P, MIL (Contract Expired)
• Zach Duke, P, PIT (Contract Expired)

Lost during the 2007-08 Offseason:

• Rod Barajas, C, TOR (Signed with AL team)
• Todd Linden, OF, OAK (Signed with AL team)
• Luke Scott, OF, BAL (Traded to AL)

Protected for 2008:

• 2B Chase Utley - $39
• 2B Rickie Weeks - $22
• SS Troy Tulowitzki - $10
• 3B Ryan Braun - $5
• OF Ryan Church - $9
• OF Rick Ankiel - $5
• OF Felix Pie - $5
• P Homer Bailey - $10
• P Jonathan Broxton - $5
• P Yovanni Gallardo - $5
• P Kyle Kendrick - $5

Totals: $120 in Payroll, $140 Available, 13 Players Needed, $10.77 per player (7th-most)

Not Protected:

• C Miguel Montero $4
• 1B Aaron Boone $5
• 3B Andy LaRoche $10
• 3B Scott Spiezio $5
• 3B Greg Dobbs $5
• OF Alejandro de Aza $3
• P Ben Sheets $32
• P Armando Benitez $9
• P Ryan Dempster $6
• P Manny Parra $5
• P Wandy Rodriguez $5
• P Antonio Alfonseca $5
• P Jorge Sosa $5
• P Mark Hendrickson $5
• P Livan Hernandez $2

Review:

A solid list with no player over age 28, though Tim usually likes ‘em young. Given that, one might wonder why prospect Andy LaRoche was not protected. LaRoche is the likely starter at 3B in Los Angeles (but maybe not with “friend of vets” Joe Torre now on the bench). LaRoche is projected in the low $10’s, so he might be able to get him at that price again. At catcher, Miguel Montero proved useful over 2007, with good power, but the batting average kills, and Tim may be able to get him again, possible for less than $4.

On the pitching side, given Tim’s fondness for the Brewers, one might question the decision not to protect Manny Parra. Parra is another heralded arm for the Brew Crew, but where does he fit in the Sheets-Suppan-Bush-Gallardo-Capuano-Villanueva-Vargas rotation? Also, Wandy Rodriguez is getting some good press this offseason as a possible sleeper in Houston (within reason). And Ryan Dempster, former closer for the Cubs, is rumored to be in a four-player battle for the final two rotation spots for 2008, so there’s enough uncertainty to avoid the issue.

Protecting Chase Utley at $39 seems a bit of a stretch, as he may go for a few dollars less this season (or then again not - he’s clearly a “first round” talent and the best 2B in all of baseball). Still, he occupies 15% of Tim’s available salary. Same goes with Rickie Weeks, who needs to bounce-back after injuries and a AAA stint in 2007.

Tulowitzki, Braun, Pie and Ankiel were all acquired in trade during 2007, and Kendrick was picked up in late June. Losing Luke Scott to Baltimore in the Miguel Tejada trade hurt, but with Braun moving to OF this season, it’s a minimal loss. With a solid middle-infield and outfield, and several young (but still unproven) starters, Tim will need to get a frontline starter, closer, and at least one corner man. Fortunately, he tends to subscribe to the “Stars and Scrubs” philosophy more often than not, so expect those rosters spots to be filled capably.

Grade: B

With limited and understandable omissions, and a solid core of offense, Tim did well with the available talent. But protecting 23% of your salary cap at 2B may not be the best strategy. Tim gets a “B” for still having $140 available, but for 13 players. This breaks down to $10.77 per player average - 7th in the league.

Filed Under Tags: Misogynistic Padres, Protected Lists

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