COVERITLIVE.COM

10:57

Tim Sullivan - Good morning. I'm here for an hour to provide insight, analysis and lame jokes about the sports scene. If you have questions or comments about the Padres' sale, about the NFL rule changes, about the Aztecs' NIT progress or most anything else, I'm here to attempt answers.

No ice skating questions, please. My ignorance is already obvious, no need in underscoring it.

10:59

Tim Sullivan - That should be dramatic improvement.

10:59

[Comment From new Pads fan]
Do you think Shawn Hill is going to start with the Padres, or go down to AAA? Washington fans seem to have thought highly of him. Would he be a solid pitcher in the rotation (if healthy)?

11:00

Tim Sullivan - I could attempt an answer, but I haven't seen him. At this point, the Padres' rotation amounts to Peavy and Young and three days of dung.

11:02

Tim Sullivan - Question: How do you know if you have animal magnetism?
Answer: Your dog sticks to the refrigerator.

11:04

Tim Sullivan - Regarding Shawn Hill, it's hard to get excited about a 27-year-old pitcher with a 7-15 won-loss record and a career 4.93 earned run average.
Sandy Koufax started slow, but I don't think Hill is the second coming of Koufax.

11:07

Tim Sullivan - Pretty quiet here. Is anyone out there, or is it time to take a nap?

11:09

[Comment From justin]
Who do you think the padres will use as bench players?

11:11

Tim Sullivan - The backup catcher will be Henry Blanco, though I could see him winning the job outright if Nick Hundley struggles. Edgar Gonzalez and Everth Cabrera are the reserve infielders. Assuming they keep Cliff Floyd for late-inning pinch hitting, I would guess you'd use a four-man outfield rotation with Gerut, Giles, Hairston and Headley. A lot will depend on whether the Padres keep 11 pitchers or 12.

11:11

[Comment From Jack]
Any trades for pitchers? Headley or Kouz?

11:12

Tim Sullivan -

From the looks of it, the Padres are pouncing on any decent starting pitcher who shows up on the waiver wire. I don't see any blockbusters involving Headley or Kouzmanoff. If the Padres make a trade, it would most likely involve Giles or Peavy -- though this team might lose 120 games without them.

11:13

[Comment From Mark]
Hello Tim, have the Chargers had any discussions regarding Rey Maualuga or DE Robert Ayers? I can't belive the Chargers would go RB in the first round, if anything has been proven RB's can be found in any round (Michael Turner, Daren Sproles, Willie Parker). Thanks Tim.

11:15

Tim Sullivan - If the Chargers have had any discussions involving those players, it's news to me, though they keep a pretty tight lid on their conversations unless or until they bring a player in for a visit.
I've seen some mock drafts with the Chargers taking a running back in the first round, but I don't think that makes much sense. To me, offensive tackle, outside linebacker and safety are much higher priorities. You can find a decent running back in the third or fourth round.

11:18

Tim Sullivan - If you're Jake Peavy, I think you've got to be looking for the exits at this point. This Padres' team figures to be truly terrible.

If you're Jeff Moorad, your first order of business is to articulate a vision that restores confidence in the direction of the franchise.

If you're Sandy Alderson, you are wondering whether to keep that Trevor Hoffman artwork that hangs over your desk.

11:19

Tim Sullivan - Actually, the artwork is behind his desk.

11:19

[Comment From Tom]
Hello Tim, So have the Aztecs finally crested that hill we have never been able to get over? I kept waiting last night for the wheels to fall off.... AND THEY DIDN'T!! I really happy for those kids and the program. Do we have a legitimate shot at winning two more games?

11:21

Tim Sullivan - I would think the Aztecs might be favored to win the NIT at this point, though I haven't looked at the odds today.
Last night was one of the great college basketball experiences I've had. It was an interesting and dramatic game and a tremendously animated crowd. I used to think college basketball didn't really exist on the West Coast, but that game gave me hope.
If you are a recruit -- and there were some in attendance -- that's the kind of scene you want to make.

11:21

[Comment From Bob]
one word. Strausburg

11:23

Tim Sullivan - It's Strasburg. Interesting piece in the Washington Post by noted baseball writer Tom Boswell on the risks of drafting a pitcher No. 1. He lays out a fairly persuasive case for picking position players because of the unpredictability of pitchers. Given Scott Boras' involvement, and the hype around Strasburg, the price appears to be such that some teams will have to wonder how much faith they have in a college pitcher.
If the Nationals take a pass, that leaves only Seattle between Strasburg and the Padres. I can't imagine him lasting to No. 3, but if he does, Jeff Moorad will have virtually no choice but to get a deal done with his old buddy, Boras.

11:23

[Comment From Ken]
Hey Tim, any idea how AJ gets his second round pick back? Would some combination of Malcolm Floyd, Cletis Gordon, Charlie Whitehurst, or a 3rd round pick be plausible? Any other rumours? Thanks.

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