Ive read a few blogs here and there that list the Padres as not only needing another OFer, but also needing an everyday shortstop. Everybody knows Im a big Cabby fan and has always thought that when he showed who he really was, should be given a serious shot at being that shortstop of the future.

We have 3 solid infielders in Cabby, Little Ninja and "LoFo"...is it necessary to look elsewhere for another shortstop, when we have a solid option in Little Ninja, if something happens to Cabby?..and with the addition of some legit offense, finally (not adding, what the OMalleys may do after their impending press conference), should we really demand much from our shortstop?

Is Everth Cabrera our starting SS, in 2013?

Hopefully not, as much as I like the guy Amarista just brings more to the table. If Everth could get his avg and obp up, he would be a lot more valuable to us, but not a struggling #8 hitter...

And his lack of a decent OBP is exactly why I think management will look past him for a better option. Before Spring Training, Byrnes took a liking to Cabby and said that he was our shortstop going forward, but I just have a feeling that this team will want to do big things next season..and with the bad taste that Bartlett (almost forgot his name, there) left in our mouths, I dont think they're gonna risk goin down a road thats already been traveled with a good glove at SS, but no offense to speak of there.

if there is a team in baseball that reall has to have everyone in the lineup contributing, it would be the Padres. We havent been able to lean on one or two guys to get us over, in a long time.

So, if they do get a different shortstop, what happens to Cabby?..cuz I dont think Amarista's going anywhere.

I think as long as Black is the manager we need to keep the little three player option in the
middle infield. Black likes to give guys days off (except Headley) and with Cabrera, Amarista
& Forsythe - at least we have guys who can catch the ball. Actually, make some great plays.

Of course the key to this option is offensive production from the corners, which I think we are
starting to get with Grandal, Alonzo, Quentin. As we all know - one good RF would do wonders.

Amarista would be a great fit at SS if he had a stronger arm.

All Im sayin is, they better not get some scrub to man that outfield...thats all I know. Or Im gonna go down to that ballpark and hit somebody in the head with a damm shovel. Thats all I know. Ive had my damm fill with these cats, who have one foot on a damm banana peel and the other one in the grave. Im COMPLETELY over the dumpster diving.

yea its not the best arm at short, but hey..its a TON better than what Eckstein did in St Louis. I actually think he's got enuf arm for short, but he always has to be on point with his footwork, which he doesnt really struggle with in my opinion.

Once again, with good corners, I'd be fine with Cabrera at short, Amarista at 2nd and Forsythe
wherever Black wants to play him that day.

Twice in the last week I have heard a broadcaster say that Amarista may have a stronger arm than Cabrera - that surprised me the first time I heard it - can't remember if it was Leitner or Scanlan the first time then the TV crew said it too... The difference I have seen in the two is that Cabrera requires less effort to gun it over - where Amarista has to plant hard and throw to make a strong throw

I would not be surprised to see the Pads shopping for a new SS in 2013 after some other bigger issues are solved like the rotation and I believe a RF'er - we have another year of Venable going into August hitting around .240 - in the past he's finished better in Aug and Sept to give him an "acceptable" BA for the year and once again light the fires of hope that he's figured something out... He got off to a better start this year but still is hitting .240 or so... I am ready to move on

Shortstop can be manned by Cabrera or Amarista if necessary - so I don't know that it is a high priority for an off season move... I may get fooled but I still see Amarista as a super sub

They cannot address every organizational issue in the off season and the biggest by leaps and bounds is starting pitching. They need to add two starting pitchers. It would be difficult to do a whole lot more, after that. Base on that I do not see any changes on the short stop front.

I think there are some major misconceptions about what will be spent next year - The O'Malley's weren't lavish spenders in a much bigger market if memory serves...
I don't know how Fowler will play into it or what he is like in that regard but if you are correct, and I think you are, and they go after pitching and having now locked up Quentin, Maybin, Street, etc... I don't see them making a big splash at SS and perhaps not at RF either... but if I had my choice of upgrading SS or RF there is no debate for me as to the direction to go - RF

I think we go with Amarista as our shortstop and Gyorko as our second baseman. Amarista has posted positive defensive metrics at short thus far and looks fine at the position when I've seen him play there. They could also platoon Amarista with Deno in Right Field with Amarista seeing time in right against tough right handed pitching and Cabby starting at short on those days. This also makes Venable expendable. For all the talk of Venable being a good defensive outfielder he's posted rather poor defensive metrics this season with a -11.2 UZR/150.

1. Amarista SS/RF
2. Gyorko 2B
3. Headley 3B
4. Quentin LF
5. Grandal C
6. Alonso 1B
7. Maybin CF
8. Deno/Cabby RF/SS

That's a lineup that can score some runs.

I don't know if you can see those defensive metrics by month but he got off to a terrible start this year - committing a lot errors, taking bad routes on balls that he normally gets to and just flat misjudging balls - (and bad throws) - things he had not ever done previously

I don't knoew if once he got back on track after the first six weeks if his stats look a lot better - but my perception is that he has been much better

Although his throws have not been up to his past in my opinion - I have wondered at times if he has a shoulder ailment or somethng or if the lower back that has troubled him before is notn 100%

UZR is a blunt tool at best. According to its proponents you need a sample size of 1 to 2 years in order to get meaningful results.

I have called Deno a classic 4th - 5th OF'er in the past but I have to say now that I think he may be able to play every day with an organization like ours...

He has historically hit LHP as we all know - but he is not a total slouch aginst RHP -
I like what he brings to the table every day and that's hustle hustle hustle and and old timers attitude for the game - more of a "For Love of the Game" kind of guy - always gets his uni dirty - and actually has a little chip on his shoulder that he is not a full time player - he wants to be and thinks he should be - I like it

Failing to find a "bigger bat" than Deno I could live with him being our everyday RF'er until shows he can't do it.... there will be fans who hate him because he is not a Power Bat in a Power Position..

I am not ready to name Gyorko as the answer to anything at this level until he does it... I don't think baseball people like him at 2nd base but I may be wrong about that - but everyone seems to think his bat will translate to MLB and so we have to see -

a lot will be considered in the off season

Yeah if there isn't anything worthwhile out there i hope they at least try deno as an everyday right fielder.

No. I don't think his offense is consistent enough. They need to find someone else.

Deno's hitting style fits best as a 4th outfielder. He's not an rbi guy, doesnt have power etc.
Cabrera will be a short next season. Consider Short and 2nd are not your run production guys.
I would upgrade RF. You cant have Headley, Quentin, Alonso, Grandal as your run production. Slide in a power hitter rbi guy after Quentin and the dynamic of the team changes.

The biggest concern is the rotation and the health of the rotation.
Looks like we have to bring back Baker, considering we dont know if Hundley will make it back.

why can't we have someone like we had in Giles out there. Even gwynn wasn't an rbi/power guy.

Especially if there aren't any reasonably priced options.

Someone like Giles costs 10 million plus! Giles in todays market would be 12-15 million with his high obp and average. Someone like that isnt available.