Pads Pick Up '08 Option on GM Towers

[Chisox73]

Padres pick up executive vice president/general manager Kevin Towers' option for the 2008 season
http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20061108&content_id=1736976&vkey=pr_sd&fext=.jsp&c_id=sd

SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Padres announced today the club has picked up Executive Vice President/General Manager Kevin Towers' option for the 2008 season. Padres Chief Executive Officer Sandy Alderson made the announcement.

"In my two years with the Padres, Kevin has been a critical factor to the club's success on the field," said Alderson. "I'm very happy that Kevin will remain with the Padres. He leads what I believe is the most impressive baseball operations staff in Major League Baseball."

Towers, 45, served as a player, coach and scout in the Padres organization on the road to being named the seventh General Manager in club history on November 17, 1995. He was promoted to Executive Vice President/General Manager in March of 2000, becoming San Diego's longest-tenured GM at the conclusion of the 2006 season, surpassing Jack McKeon's 10 1/2 years of service (1980-90).

"I have spent 23 years of my baseball career with the Padres and I look forward to several more," said Towers. "The past couple of years have been particularly fulfilling as we have put together the pieces to earn consecutive National League West Championships. I expect to put this organization in a position to play deeper into October in 2007."

In his 11 seasons as General Manager, the Padres have reached the postseason four times, including the franchise's first back-to-back NL West Championships in 2005 and 2006. The club also won the NL West title in 1996 and captured the franchise's second NL Championship in 1998.

Since Towers' first season as General Manager in 1996, the Padres are 881-901 (.494); leaving him only 19 victories shy of 900 entering the 2007 campaign. Only five active General Managers have more wins with their current club: John Schuerholz (Atlanta), Walt Jocketty (St. Louis), Terry Ryan (Minnesota), Brian Sabean (San Francisco) and Brian Cashman (New York Yankees). Other achievements by the Padres under Towers' management include a franchise-record 98 wins in 1998 and a 23-win turnaround from 2003 to 2004, the single largest improvement from one season to the next in club history.

With an extensive scouting background that includes stints as the Pirates national cross-checker and the Padres Director of Scouting, Towers and his staff have implemented a long-term strategy for success on both the Major and minor league levels emphasizing scouting and player development. The organization's commitment has of late produced homegrown talents like second baseman Josh Barfield, shortstop Khalil Greene and right-handed starter Jake Peavy reaching the Majors.

Prominent players added in trades during Towers' tenure include: Josh Bard, Kevin Brown, Mike Cameron, Adam Eaton, Brian Giles, Adrian Gonzalez, Wally Joyner, Ryan Klesko, Mark Kotsay, Cla Meredith, Phil Nevin, Reggie Sanders, Greg Vaughn, Quilvio Veras, David Wells, Woody Williams and Chris Young, among others.

[yagsy]

I like KT a ton. I think he's got a great knack for making the right deals at the right time. This past season... Bard, Meredith, C Young, Gonzalez, Bowen and getting rid of malcontent Mirabelli, signing Piazza, getting Blum back.

He picked up Linebrink off the scrap heap and look how he turned out. Chan Ho's career was revitalized, Embree has returned to form and I know I'm missing others. But KT really does seem to make the right moves for the most part.

[Chisox73]

Speaking of Piazza,since they did not pick up his '07 option,do you think that they'll work out a new deal for him?

[yagsy]

Piazza loves SD and he really enjoyed the team, especially working with Bard and Bowen (his backups). The pitching staff, sans Peavy, have all said they enjoyed working with him and in particular, Chris Young seemed to really shine under Piazza's game calling. Hensley too, stated several times during the season how much Piazza helped him look good.

Piazza also has stated how much he enjoyed relaxing and not being under the media's eye so much. San Diego is one big town. People here treat you like anyone else, don't get caught up in the celebrity thing (go to LA for that) and it really is a laid back environment. Fit his personality well.

The ONLY issue for Piazza is that his wife is going to school in NY and he has the East Coast roots. With his wife due to have their first child in Jan, I think he'll prolly want to be closer to his family (not sure where her family is). And with Bochy no longer being the manager of the Pads, I just don't think there will be that extra incentive to stay. He loved playing for Boch...as most players do.

This is the general consensus here in sunny SD. :D Personally I hope he stays and I know he does like the Padre organization as a whole. I loved how he was used this year too with Bard and Bowen. Both are fabulous catchers and very good hitters.

Guess we'll have to see after the Holidays, I don't expect him to sign anywhere until then.