yagsy
05-09-2005, 04:40 PM
http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/padres/20050509-9999-1s9padnotes.html
Padres getting high return on low-value relievers
By Tom Krasovic
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
May 9, 2005
ST. LOUIS – While several clubs were spending millions on starting pitchers last offseason, Padres General Manager Kevin Towers was treasure-hunting for relievers, and enjoying the task.
It appears Towers got dollar value with pennies and nickels when he signed Chris Hammond for $750,000, and lured Rudy Seanez and Dennys Reyes for $550,000 apiece.
Collectively, that's less than $2 million, or a sliver of what clubs were lavishing on starters such as Kris Benson, and the trio has deepened manager Bruce Bochy's setup pool, which numbers five or six.
The bullpen strength was integral to the team's six-game winning streak that ended yesterday. That's how it should be, Towers figures.
"The bullpen, to me, is always an area where there should be no excuses," Towers said. "Relievers are usually affordable. They're plentiful. It's an area that I think should be a strength every year. And with a good bullpen, you have a chance to be in most games. It's so important. There's nothing more deflating than losing a game late."
Left-handers Reyes (2.57 ERA) and Hammond (2.12) have been offspeed artists for the Padres. Seanez (1.84) is a power right-hander with a sneaky split-finger fastball. Right-handers are 1-for-23 against him.
In past years, Bochy had no lefty options, or ones who frightened him.
"The biggest difference is the quality of left-handers we have," said bullpen coach Darrel Akerfelds, who's in his fifth season with the club. "I'm not too sure our left-handers couldn't close games out. And we have versatility there. Reyes has started before. So has Hammond. The complement of lefties is the key to making our bullpen what it is, from the first guy to the seventh guy."
Slight setback
Third baseman Sean Burroughs played like Brooks Robinson for three games, stealing several hits from the Cardinals by ranging to his left and right. Burroughs tried to keep it going yesterday, but Bochy scratched him from the lineup after Burroughs reported tightness in his left hamstring.
"I'm going to tell Boch I can go," Burroughs said after getting treatment.
Bochy deemed a start too risky, giving Xavier Nady his second start at third. Burroughs said the hamstring tightened on him as he broke from the batter's box in the first inning of Saturday's game, which Burroughs went on to complete.
Notes
After first baseman Phil Nevin reported Friday that he could not continue because of back spasms, Bochy sat him Saturday and lifted Nevin in the third inning yesterday with the Cardinals ahead 13-0. Nevin's troubles began Thursday, when he was hit by Scott Rolen's wayward elbow near first base. The Padres weren't thrilled with Rolen, but seemed unwilling to rile a Cardinals club that they went on to beat three games in a row.
Yesterday, Nevin moved stiffly in the first inning. He wasn't able to catch a low throw that would've completed a double play, which helped fuel an 11-run outburst in which St. Louis sent 16 men to the plate.
With the score 13-4, Hammond gave up home runs on consecutive pitches to Abraham Nuñez and Reggie Sanders. Previously, hitters were 6-for-53 (.113) against him.
The 11 runs allowed by the Padres in the first inning yesterday weren't the most a Padres club has endured in an inning. The Giants scored 13 runs at Qualcomm Stadium on July 15, 1997.
Padres getting high return on low-value relievers
By Tom Krasovic
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
May 9, 2005
ST. LOUIS – While several clubs were spending millions on starting pitchers last offseason, Padres General Manager Kevin Towers was treasure-hunting for relievers, and enjoying the task.
It appears Towers got dollar value with pennies and nickels when he signed Chris Hammond for $750,000, and lured Rudy Seanez and Dennys Reyes for $550,000 apiece.
Collectively, that's less than $2 million, or a sliver of what clubs were lavishing on starters such as Kris Benson, and the trio has deepened manager Bruce Bochy's setup pool, which numbers five or six.
The bullpen strength was integral to the team's six-game winning streak that ended yesterday. That's how it should be, Towers figures.
"The bullpen, to me, is always an area where there should be no excuses," Towers said. "Relievers are usually affordable. They're plentiful. It's an area that I think should be a strength every year. And with a good bullpen, you have a chance to be in most games. It's so important. There's nothing more deflating than losing a game late."
Left-handers Reyes (2.57 ERA) and Hammond (2.12) have been offspeed artists for the Padres. Seanez (1.84) is a power right-hander with a sneaky split-finger fastball. Right-handers are 1-for-23 against him.
In past years, Bochy had no lefty options, or ones who frightened him.
"The biggest difference is the quality of left-handers we have," said bullpen coach Darrel Akerfelds, who's in his fifth season with the club. "I'm not too sure our left-handers couldn't close games out. And we have versatility there. Reyes has started before. So has Hammond. The complement of lefties is the key to making our bullpen what it is, from the first guy to the seventh guy."
Slight setback
Third baseman Sean Burroughs played like Brooks Robinson for three games, stealing several hits from the Cardinals by ranging to his left and right. Burroughs tried to keep it going yesterday, but Bochy scratched him from the lineup after Burroughs reported tightness in his left hamstring.
"I'm going to tell Boch I can go," Burroughs said after getting treatment.
Bochy deemed a start too risky, giving Xavier Nady his second start at third. Burroughs said the hamstring tightened on him as he broke from the batter's box in the first inning of Saturday's game, which Burroughs went on to complete.
Notes
After first baseman Phil Nevin reported Friday that he could not continue because of back spasms, Bochy sat him Saturday and lifted Nevin in the third inning yesterday with the Cardinals ahead 13-0. Nevin's troubles began Thursday, when he was hit by Scott Rolen's wayward elbow near first base. The Padres weren't thrilled with Rolen, but seemed unwilling to rile a Cardinals club that they went on to beat three games in a row.
Yesterday, Nevin moved stiffly in the first inning. He wasn't able to catch a low throw that would've completed a double play, which helped fuel an 11-run outburst in which St. Louis sent 16 men to the plate.
With the score 13-4, Hammond gave up home runs on consecutive pitches to Abraham Nuñez and Reggie Sanders. Previously, hitters were 6-for-53 (.113) against him.
The 11 runs allowed by the Padres in the first inning yesterday weren't the most a Padres club has endured in an inning. The Giants scored 13 runs at Qualcomm Stadium on July 15, 1997.