Pads FINALLY pull the trigger...

[SuperHornet]

...but it wasn't the deal everyone expected.

Sandy Eggo has shipped 8th-inning specialist Mike Adams, probably the best non-closing relief pitcher on the staff, to Texas for two minor league pitching prospects. The move caught Adams by surprise because he, like everyone else, assumed that the guy out the door was going to be closer Heath Bell.

I'm not sure if Adams' age (he's 33) factored into this. The prospects don't hurt, but the Pads will be screwed if they follow this deal with one to dump Bell. That would mean the only late-inning guy they'd have left (short of a AAA call-up) would be Luke Gregerson. Unless they dip into the front office to activate Mr. Bong...Bong...Bong..., which isn't likely, to say the least.

[SuperHornet]

Lost in the hype over the Adams trade is the trade of Ryan Ludwick to Pittsburgh. Fans were upset over his supposedly inadequate play, yet he was apparently doing wonders with RBIs.

[SDHornet]

Shocked they traded Adams. But I think he was in the final year of his deal as well as Bell is. The Pads will get 2 draft picks if they hold on to Bell for the season. I’d personally rather see him traded. He allows a lot of base runners and isn’t as dominating as he is perceived to be.

Ludwick is a streaky hitter who hasn’t come close to living up to his $6M salary. He is in the same situation in Bell meaning the Pads would have gotten 2 draft picks if they didn’t dump him. I have no idea who the Pads got for Ludwick. Regardless, he was sure to be traded as the Pads front office is always looking to dump salary and maximize the value of the MLB revenue sharing benefits.

Also August 21st is when they are officially retiring Hoffman's number. Please stop with the dreaming of him returning to the roster.

[SuperHornet]

Shocked they traded Adams. But I think he was in the final year of his deal as well as Bell is. The Pads will get 2 draft picks if they hold on to Bell for the season. I’d personally rather see him traded. He allows a lot of base runners and isn’t as dominating as he is perceived to be.

Ludwick is a streaky hitter who hasn’t come close to living up to his $6M salary. He is in the same situation in Bell meaning the Pads would have gotten 2 draft picks if they didn’t dump him. I have no idea who the Pads got for Ludwick. Regardless, he was sure to be traded as the Pads front office is always looking to dump salary and maximize the value of the MLB revenue sharing benefits.

Also August 21st is when they are officially retiring Hoffman's number. Please stop with the dreaming of him returning to the roster.

I could see them activating Hoffman THIS year should injuries or trades dictate that as we are already near the end. Next year? They'll DEFINITELY look in another direction, perhaps even Bell. Heck, they could even be looking to sign Adams again if he doesn't work a deal with Texas. Personally, though, I'd rather have Linebrink.

[AZGrizFan]

Shocked they traded Adams. But I think he was in the final year of his deal as well as Bell is. The Pads will get 2 draft picks if they hold on to Bell for the season. I’d personally rather see him traded. He allows a lot of base runners and isn’t as dominating as he is perceived to be.

Ludwick is a streaky hitter who hasn’t come close to living up to his $6M salary. He is in the same situation in Bell meaning the Pads would have gotten 2 draft picks if they didn’t dump him. I have no idea who the Pads got for Ludwick. Regardless, he was sure to be traded as the Pads front office is always looking to dump salary and maximize the value of the MLB revenue sharing benefits.

Also August 21st is when they are officially retiring Hoffman's number. Please stop with the dreaming of him returning to the roster.

Nope. Adams has another year on his contract, so Texas has control of his rights through the 2012 season.

[SDHornet]

Yeah I finally read into what SD got, a pair of starting pitcher prospects. One of which has been tearing it up in AA. Problem is neither is expected to make the rotation for 2012.

It doesn’t sound like they got shit for Ludwick…but he was batting a stellar .238 and is anything but a clutch hitter.

[SuperHornet]

It doesn’t sound like they got shit for Ludwick…but he was batting a stellar .238 and is anything but a clutch hitter.

Except for the fact that he was leading the Pads in RBIs. How are they going to replace THAT?

[SDHornet]

It doesn’t sound like they got shit for Ludwick…but he was batting a stellar .238 and is anything but a clutch hitter.

Except for the fact that he was leading the Pads in RBIs. How are they going to replace THAT?

Like it matters. The Padres season was over months ago. The remainder of the season will be used as tryouts to see who will get first dibs on next season's roster.

And many a time I have seen Ludwick K with runners in scoring position and the home team down a run or two. He was one big flop here in SD. Good riddance.