According to the Baseball column in the Globe today, the Pads signed Pete Incaviglia to a minor-league contract and an invite to Spring Training. Inky has not played in the bigs since 98 and spent last year with the Indy League Newark (NJ) Bears.
On the plus side, it appears that the stadium opposition might finally be over. Yay!
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I don't see anything there that makes me want him to start over any of our guys. Is he related to one of our prospects? Is he a hero of one of our young guys? I have no idea.
There has to be something here besides the numbers. The Padres just don't do stupid things like this.
1) The outfield was set before spring training with Reggie Sanders, Ruben Rivera (the heir apparent in Center) and Gwynn. Darr was already pegged for a backup role. No one was hurt that would have had a chance that year, I don't think.
2) 1999 was a MAJOR rebuild year in San Diego. The WS team from 98 was ripped aparat and we practically started over. Keep in mind that team didn't have: Klesko, Kotsay, Nevin (as a starter), Jiminez, That guy in Left from the Cardinals (who should not be slipping my mind but is right now), Boone (who came and left after this), Wiki, or half our pitching staff.
In fact, I think that Hoffman may be the only member of the 1998 World Series team left. We were down to Chris Gomez, Gwynn, and Hoffie last year, and Gwynn and Gomie are gone.
Most of the current pads date from 1999, 2000, or 2001. Scary, huh? I bet they contend this year too.
How about Phil Nevin...former #1 pick who bottomed out a couple of years ago before exploding with the Padres. I can understand Houston giving up on him, but the Tigers? What the hell have they been doing since 1987? They should have given him one season to prove himself. Then again this is the same team who released Tony Clark
Mike and Mike on ESPN this morning had Buster Olney on, who reported that the Cubs are trying to sign Cliff Floyd. Now Jones, Soriano, and Floyd in the outfield...probably not a pitcher's nocturnal emission...