Groins. Media. Moncada. Quack.
By now the pitchers and catchers are in full Spring Training mode, having completed four full days of workouts. The first Spring Training related injury is in the books as Casey Kelly suffered a strained groin earlier today and is being kept off the mound for the time being. Meanwhile Buddy Black and AJ Preller kept busy all day talking to media for Cactus League Media Day. They and the Padres are like crazy popular now thanks to Preller's magical offseason.
A.J. Preller and Bud Black are about to be on @SportsCenter LIVE from Cactus League media day. Tune in now! pic.twitter.com/I5zRwIUwR9
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) February 23, 2015A.J. Preller and Bud Black drawing some of the largest crowds at Cactus League media day at #PadresSTpic.twitter.com/AQWLJnan8U
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) February 23, 2015For comparison, here is Buddy Black at Cactus League Media Day 2014, talking to literally just a handful of reporters.
Something that was probably on a lot of media minds this morning was the signing of Cuban infielder Yoan Moncada... by the Red Sox. The Padres were one of the teams aggressively pursuing Moncada for the past few months. Corey Brock reported that the team "made him an offer in the neighborhood of $25 million," but he ultimately went with Boston and their $31.5 million signing bonus.Here's Buddy Black chatting with reporters at Cactus League Media Day in Phoenix. #PadresSTpic.twitter.com/udlDTCcbLe
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) February 18, 2014
Padres involved 'right up until the end' on Moncada | padres.com
In the longer view, not signing Moncada could pay dividends for the Padres in terms of being able spend more internationally, whereas such teams as the Red Sox, Yankees, D-backs, Rays and Angels are all limited to $300,000 over the 2015-16 and 2016-17 international signing period for amateurs under the age of 23.
If they'd landed Yoan Moncada, the Padres would have felt comfortable handling the cost. http://t.co/NFi6f3iG9B
— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) February 24, 2015
In jodes'-former-favorite-Padre news, Everth Cabrera will likely reach a deal with the Orioles soon and is expected at their Spring Training camp tomorrow. Hopefully this is a good sign not only for his baseball career but his off-the-field struggle, and a successful comeback is in his future.
Everth Cabrera deal nearing completion. Will likely be finalized on Wednesday morning, per source. he's expected in Sarasota tmrw. #orioles
— Eduardo A. Encina (@EddieInTheYard) February 24, 2015
But enough about the guys who aren't at Padres camp.
Kevin Quackenbush is eyeing a successful 2015 season not only for the team, but for himself personally. That means hopefully fewer trips between the minors and the majors for the relief pitcher.
Padres pleased with Quackenbush's growth | padres.com
In a dizzying 23-day stretch that canvassed April and May, Quackenbush, a reliever, was recalled from Triple-A El Paso on five occasions. Sure, players get shuttled back and forth between the big leagues and the Minor Leagues all the time, but this bordered on the ridiculous.
Think of that: five round-trips in 23 days.
But as Corey Brock reminds us, despite Quackenbush's success in 2014 and the confidence in him the Padres have, he still has a lot of work to do in Peoria.
For as well as Quackenbush performed last season, he won't simply be handed a job this spring. The Padres added two power right-handers who peg at the back end of the bullpen -- Shawn Kelley and Brandon Maurer -- to set up Benoit.
In case you need to refresh your memory (I did), 30-year-old Shawn Kelley was acquired from the Yankees last December in exchange for minor league RHP Johnny Barbato. Starting-pitcher-turned-reliever Brandon Maurer came to the Padres from the Mariners in the Seth Smith trade. This is just another example of the Padres' pitching depth, and team depth in general. I'm looking forward to seeing all these guys in action when games begin in just over a week.
The remaining position players are due at camp tomorrow. So Cameron Maybin, who believes he's still the best option in center for San Diego, will be able to fully scope out his competition. The first full workout at Padres camp will take place on Wednesday and a week later, we'll get our first Spring Training game! THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING, YOU GUYS!!
Filming James Shields in front of a green screen for the new video board. Who's ready to see him in HD?? #PadresSTpic.twitter.com/SyVfClfrXK
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) February 23, 2015