Position

Current Padre

Needs

In organization replacements

Trade/FA possiblities

Ramon Hernandez

Ramon is doing fine and signed through 2005; as a backup Quintero or Haad could replace Ojeda

Huberto Quintero

Not needed, but Jason Varitek would be nice

1B

Phil Nevin

A Padre thru 06, Nevin is guaranteed a lot of money, only way to improve, would be to trade him for top talent

Tagg Bozied, if healthy

Richie Sexson, Kevin Millar, Delgado

2B

Mark Loretta

No needs here, Loretta is signed thru '05, and Josh Barfield will replace him in '06

Josh Barfield

Denny Hocking or Todd Walker could be suitable backups

SS

Khalil Greene

None- Ramon Vazquez is an OK backup, by Greene is under protection with the Pods' for 2 more years before arbitration

Ramon Vazquez, Jose Nieves, JJ Furmaniak will battle for the backup spot

Tomas Perez and Desi Relaford would bring cheap speed

3B

Sean Burroughs

None- Burroughs is under protection for another year, than arb. eligible

Dave Hansen, Jake Gautreau may become a back up at the corners

Shane Halter would be OK for the bench

LF

Ryan Klesko

Klesko has underachieved, and his lack of speed and injury proneness is not good, upgrades can be made

X. Nady, Jon Knott

Big names Garret Anderson, Lance Berkman and JD Drew are out there, a cheaper Frank Cattalanotto would be OK

CF

Jay Payton

Payton is under contract, but will be put on the trading block, because he has underachieved and been outplayed by T. Long

Freddy Guzman- will most likely be the starter, Terrence Long could be his backup

Steve Finley or Carlos Beltran

RF

Brian Giles

Giles is under contract and will stick around, even if he continues to struggle

X. Nady, Jon Knott, Alex Fernandez

Big names Jermaine Dye and Magglio Ordonez would be sweet, but pretty much the same as Giles

SPs

Wells, Lawrence, Eaton, Peavy, Germano/Tank

Wells will most likely not re-sign, Lawrence, Peavy and Eaton will stick around, Hitchcock has retired, otherwise, the young 3 will be the core

Tim Stauffer, Dennis Tankersley, Justin Germano, Chris Oxspring, Brian Sweeney and others will be battle for the 2 openings

Esteban Loiaza would be perfect, if he doesn't stay in NY. Derek Lowe and Pedro are out there as aces. Cory Lidle, Kris Benson and Matt Clement are KT favs.

RPs

Hoffy, Otsuka, Linebrink, Witasick, Stone, Neal, Beck, Osuna

Hoffy will be the closer again, Linebrink is protected, Aki's option will be picked up. Osuna should be gone. Neal and Stone will battle for spots next year. Witasick and Beck have been released.

In a seven-men pen 3 or 4 spots should be open, with Neal, Stone, Huerta, Deago, McLeary, Tucker and Mike Bynum battling for them

A couple of FA Lefties like Alan Embree or Steve Kline may be signed and vets like Scott Williamson, Jeff Nelson, Dan Miceli among tons of others may be added for depth

Bench

Hansen, Aurilia, Ojeda, Long

Hansen may re-sign, Aurilia is gone, Ojeda may lose his spot to Quintero or Haad, Long is under contract, but wants to be a starter.

On a five-man bench there will be probably be an overhaul with 4 spots open. From the minors Gautreau, Bozied, Furmaniak, Vazquez, Castra, Sears, Nady, Knott and others will be going for those jobs.

Jose Vizcaino, a Padre killer would be nice. Ruben Sierra would cost money, but he brings switch-hitting power. A Mark Sweeney or Ricky Ledee could replace Long. Tom Goodwin would be a minor upgrade. Quinton McCracken is also OK.