Union-Tribune
Scott Hairston was able to demonstrate his defensive capabilities as a left fielder at Petco Park last season. But now he may be asked to open the season patrolling the vastness in center. |
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PEORIA, Ariz. – Are the Padres concerned about their outfield defense?
“No,” General Manager Kevin Towers said yesterday.
“I think we're looking fine,” said manager Bud Black. “Really, all of these guys have done a good job.”
There are questions, however, whether the outfield defense will hold up at spacious Petco Park and the other four demanding venues in the National League West.
Center fielder Jim Edmonds, 37, hasn't played the field since a calf strain sidelined him March 6, though he did go 3-for-4 as a designated hitter yesterday in a minor league game.
Right fielder Brian Giles, also 37, had microfracture knee surgery Oct. 3 and the scar tissue may not be fully set until June.
Jody Gerut, who has played all three outfield spots, sat out the 2006 season as he recovered from the second reconstructive knee surgery of his career and did not play last season after being waived by the Pirates in March. Left fielder Paul McAnulty is a former designated hitter/first baseman. Left fielder/center fielder Scott Hairston is a former second baseman who has yet to play a full major league season in the outfield.
The final outfielder on the roster likely will be utility man Callix Crabbe, who was a second baseman for most of his career.
In reserve is left fielder Chase Headley, a third baseman until January. He will begin the season in Triple-A.
“It might be a flaw,” CEO Sandy Alderson said, when pressed about the outfield defense.
But Alderson implied that if the outfield bleeds a few hits, the Padres will gladly accept it if the outfielders and others hit well. Alderson said that, generally speaking, it is more important that players get on base and slug for respectable power than it is that they run fast and snatch distant fly balls.
“Once we get to the point where we have all of the on-base potential and power that we need, we can make those adjustments in our overall offensive and defensive package,” he said. “All of that is with one footnote, and that is, outfield defense is somewhat more important at Petco than it is elsewhere.”
Extraordinary challenges have spurred extraordinary responses from several of the team's outfielders in their preparations.
Giles ran in a therapy pool to keep his legs strong and didn't return to the outfield until March 18.
Edmonds embarked on his most strenuous offseason regimen, running hills in Orange County to strengthen a body slowed by recent foot, shoulder and back ailments plus scores of diving catches in his career.
Working out daily at a performance institute in Tempe, Hairston performed drills to increase lateral quickness and pulled a sled to increase his speed and durability. He also took fly balls in center field in January.
McAnulty strengthened a postoperative knee and shed some 15 pounds by dieting on blue-green algae drinks.
Going into today's Cactus League finale, the Padres are encouraged by the results.
Gerut, 30, coming off a stellar season in the Venezuelan winter league, has appeared comfortable at all three outfield spots. He touts the benefits of a portable electrical stimulation unit, which he rolls to and from the clubhouse and applies to his scarred knees. The Stanford alum even bought a 5 percent stake in the company that produces the units.
“I can say now with a straight face I have a knee history instead of a knee problem,” said Gerut, who probably will play left field.
Giles, whose quick jumps and direct routes allowed him to cover the vast, tricky right field at Petco, is running better than last season, Black said. And that isn't manager-spin.
“I'm feeling good,” Giles said. “I don't think the knee can feel as bad as it did last year.”
Black said he is certain McAnulty is running better than he did last March, when he was coming off knee surgery.
Hairston has made some nice plays in center since Edmonds came up lame. “Scotty is doing a nice job out there,” Black said.
Said Hairston: “I really like center. It's good to get some time out there for now. Playing aggressively helps out a lot. Right now, I'm seeing what type of balls I can get to and balls I can't get to.
“But we want to get Jimmy back as soon as possible.”
Hairston said Edmonds “is itching to get back out there.”
But the Padres do not appear as eager. If Edmonds is ready for Opening Day, they would have to bump someone off the projected 25-man roster, and Towers said yesterday that would be difficult.
McAnulty and several pitchers are out of minor league options. The Padres hold a minor league option on Gerut, meaning he could be sent to Triple-A without being exposed to waivers.
If Edmonds, an eight-time Gold Glover, goes on the disabled list, he would miss at least the first five games of the season. But Towers talked optimistically of what would follow.
“I don't see why Jimmy can't start 130 to 140 games,” he said.
Tom Krasovic: (619) 293-2207; tom.krasovic@uniontrib.com
