Dodgers Sign Vicente Padilla To A Minor League Contract
by Eric Stephen on Aug 19, 2009 4:38 PM PDT
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63 comments
Looking to bolster their starting rotation, especially with the uncertainty of Hiroki Kuroda's return, the Dodgers have signed former Texas Ranger Vicente Padilla today, shortly after he cleared waivers. Padilla was placed on unconditional release waivers by the Rangers on Monday. Jayson Stark of ESPN.com has the details:
Padilla is expected to make at least one minor league start for the Dodgers before joining the big league rotation. He hasn't pitched since Aug. 5, his final start for the Rangers, who released him this week.
Padilla was 8-6 with a 4.92 ERA and 4.93 FIP in 18 starts with Texas. Padilla has seen his strikeout rate plummet this season to just 4.9 per nine innings, but he did last six innings in 11 of his 18 starts. He had nine quality starts with the Rangers. His FIPs the last few years have also left a bit to be desired:
| Year | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
| FIP | 5.02 | 4.34 | 5.37 | 5.05 | 4.93 |
Just last month, Padilla was diagnosed with swine flu, although he missed just one start. Whether or not he was contagious to his Ranger teammates, Padilla wasn't exactly the most popular teammate in the world. From the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Some players said Padilla kept his distance and had discipline problems.
"You have to be a good teammate," outfielder Marlon Byrd said. "You have to help the younger guys do things right."
More evidence that Padilla was not well-liked, from the Dallas Morning News upon his release:
"About time," said outfielder Marlon Byrd, who also played with Padilla in Philadelphia. "It's absolutely a positive for this team. We have to get rid of the negatives to make a positive, and I believe this is a huge positive for this team."
and:
As word spread throughout the clubhouse, Texas players showed Daniels their approval. Handshakes were exchanged, and Ian Kinsler went so far as to say, "Congrats."
Padilla also had an incident in June when he hit former Mark Teixeira twice in one game. The club was so upset with him that he was placed on waivers shortly thereafter, although he continued to pitch for Texas until the beginning of August.
Joe Torre has said the Dodger clubhouse is well equipped to deal with any type of "problem player," and when Padilla's name was brought up, Torre intimated there would be no problems in Los Angeles.
The Rangers are on the hook for all of Padilla's $12 million salary this year (plus his $1.75 million buyout of his 2010 option), except for a pro-rated share of the major league minimum salary of $400,000. I'm not sure of the details of the minor league portion of the contract, but if Padilla is called up to start next Thursday in Denver, there would be 38 days left in the 183-day season, so the Dodgers would pay Padilla roughly $83,060.
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He may help
but all I have to say is Yuck
by meercatjohn on Aug 19, 2009 4:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
how about we talk about the positives
8 innings 1 hit
7 innings 1 hit
he had consecutives starts this season giving up 1 hit in each. wow thats impressive
.227 BAA away from Texas with a mid 3 ERA.
he will do well for the dodgers
i still dont like him though.. he seems nasty
by matthewmafa on Aug 19, 2009 4:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Vicente Padilla is Spanish for “James Baldwin.”
by Eric Stephen on Aug 19, 2009 4:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Did he pitch for the Dodgers in 1991?
by silverwidow on Aug 19, 2009 4:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, wrong guy
One of the first Dodger games I attended was started by a lefty named Terry Wells. This must have been in 1990
by silverwidow on Aug 19, 2009 4:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
James Baldwin was one of Dan Evans first moves as a GM.
Didn’t work out too well, and pissed off the White Sox’s GM, Kenny Williams because he was lead to believe he traded Baldwin for a young prospect instead of an over the hill never was, couldn’t even reach AAAA status organizational player.
by Tripon on Aug 19, 2009 4:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That would be Kenny's fault.
The three players were Jeff Barry (the over the hill never was), Gary Majewski (who the White Sox had traded to LA in the sping) and Onan (one of the great names in baseball history) Masaoka (who quit the game after that season).
by David Young on Aug 19, 2009 5:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I loved Masaoka. I was prepared to root for his long Dodger career.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 19, 2009 5:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He should have be perfect for the bullpen
The Left-handed pump One Out GuY.
by David Young on Aug 19, 2009 5:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t really remember Terry Wells at all. That era was my wheelhouse, too. But, then again, I didn’t really remember Dennis Cook as a Dodger either :)
by Eric Stephen on Aug 19, 2009 4:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That was a fun era
I have a Sports Illustrated from March 1991 that paints the team as cocky favorites. There’s a screw the farm system vibe, too, if I remember correctly.
by silverwidow on Aug 19, 2009 5:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Because of all the Dodgers total ineptitude during that era?? OR was it the number of WS titles? I remember that “era” as erased.
by KellyStephen on Aug 19, 2009 5:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Aurgh.
1991 sucked so much. Lose at home to the Padres with an eighth inning collapse in a tie game to fall into a tie with the Braves, then lose the first two in the season-ending series in SF to allow Atlanta to clinch. Yuck.
by David Young on Aug 19, 2009 5:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The guy we got for Franklin Stubbs.
by David Young on Aug 19, 2009 5:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I actually attended a James Baldwin start
His second for LA, first at home. He actually four-hit the Cubs over 8 IP for the win with the only run a
Sammy Sosa solo shot. Only four of his remaining ten starts were even “quality starts”.
by David Young on Aug 19, 2009 4:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ve been meaning to do a post on Brian Bohanon, who was surprisingly great in his short post-trade Dodger stint.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 19, 2009 5:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
“Surprisingly great”? You’d probably give him $15 million too! ;)
by KellyStephen on Aug 19, 2009 5:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, good luck with him...
also look at his spilts, leftys kill him.
The 2009 Texas Rangers offense: sigh...
by Kinslerhomer on Aug 19, 2009 4:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I really didn't like the Maddux experiment
though it helped get us to the postseason
by stillnotah8er on Aug 19, 2009 4:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I remember in theoffseason when the Rangers were rumored to want to trade Millwood or Padilla to the Dodgers.
some rumors are just ridiculous.
by Tripon on Aug 19, 2009 4:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
When translated from pitcher-language to batter-language, Vicente Padilla becomes “Shea Hillenbrand”
(Marty beat me to the Shea reference at DT, but I swear I thought the same before getting to his comment.)
by David Young on Aug 19, 2009 4:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The worst thing that happens is that Padilla gives us Jason Schimdt type of production.
by Tripon on Aug 19, 2009 4:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
and then leaves a steaming pile of crap
in the middle of the clubhouse.
i wouldn’t put it past the guy.
by whorge on Aug 20, 2009 8:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
MikeJordan23 (brooklyn): Is it crazy to think the Cards have the best team in the NL, especially in a playoff setting?
Jay Jaffe: Their run differential is less than half that of the Dodgers, and while they’re currently putting some distance between themselves and the NL Central pack, I think it’s a stretch to anoint them the best team in the NL; the Phillies have been looking pretty strong lately, in case you haven’t noticed.
As for the playoffs, Carpenter and Wainwright are a very nice 1-2 punch to have, and Pineiro and Lohse decent 3-4 options, but the lineup is too stars and scrubby for my tastes, even with the additions of Holliday and DeRosa, and I don’t like their defense much, particularly on a staff that’s below league average in strikeouts.
by Tripon on Aug 19, 2009 4:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I like the “stars and scrubby” line. That made me laugh.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 19, 2009 5:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Padilla's only starting until Kuroda's healthy anyway.
No way he sniffs the post season roster.
by Tripon on Aug 19, 2009 5:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
i agree
lets hope Joe concurs as well.. I mean i don’t see why not
I'm nobody's fool, least of all yours
by BoulderDodger on Aug 19, 2009 5:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Glad to hear Tony is coming back!
I’ve never liked Padilla though, so hopefully he can do something praiseworthy in what will hopefully be a short stint with the big club.
So Clayton is definitely ago for tonight then?
William Doolittle at your service, a.k.a. will do.
by Ollie on Aug 19, 2009 5:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
i can't wait till he goes
5-0 with a 3.9 ERA and Ned gives him a 3 year contract
by kensai on Aug 19, 2009 6:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Let's hope he gets lit up in AAA...
…then retaliates by hitting a couple batters in typical, Padilla fashion. Then a couple Isotope hitters get hit in retaliation (and neither is injured), Padilla’s teammates pepper spray him, and the Dodgers then cut him.
by The Dude Abides on Aug 19, 2009 6:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Padilla looks like he's 45.
BTW, That’s T.J. Simers interviewing Padilla.
by Tripon on Aug 19, 2009 6:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
he's such a guido
slicked back hair and like 17 buttons open, also most likely waxes his chest..
William Doolittle at your service, a.k.a. will do.
by Ollie on Aug 19, 2009 6:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s Josh Suchon on the left
by Eric Stephen on Aug 19, 2009 6:05 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
whos on the right?
I wanna say thats Hiroki’s translator..
William Doolittle at your service, a.k.a. will do.
by Ollie on Aug 19, 2009 6:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep, although I forgot his name.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 19, 2009 6:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
as did I, could find it on google either, didnt look all that hard though
William Doolittle at your service, a.k.a. will do.
by Ollie on Aug 19, 2009 6:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
benmallerTorre; “The plan is for Vicente Padilia to pitch one game in Albuquerque this Saturday, then start for #Dodgers next Thursday vs. Rockies.”about 1 hour ago from Tweetie
by Tripon on Aug 19, 2009 6:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The Dodgers on Wednesday signed free-agent right-hander Vicente Padilla, who will make one Minor League rehab start Saturday, then move into the Major League rotation next Thursday in place of Hiroki Kuroda, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a concussion.
Randy Wolf on Padilla, from the same article:
“When I played with Pads, he was great,” Wolf said. “I like him a lot and we got along great. I don’t know what transpired in Texas. Obviously, it wasn’t a peaceful parting. He was a quiet guy in the clubhouse who worked hard and I think a second chance here in a pennant race will help him and help us.”
“I told them exactly what I’m telling you about my experience with him in Philly,” he said. “On the mound, he’ll give you seven innings. I didn’t see any distraction. He had good stuff, he mixed his speeds. I think he’ll do better here. It’s better weather, a better park to pitch in. I think there are a lot of positives coming here.”
by David Young on Aug 19, 2009 6:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
GM Ned Colletti: “#Dodgers have eye on 2-3 players who have cleared trade waivers.” #MLB3 minutes ago from web
by Tripon on Aug 19, 2009 6:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Trading a marginal prospect off the 40 man roster like Jesus Castillo might be a good move.
by Tripon on Aug 19, 2009 6:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
that would be great sure
but i’m cringing at who he might pick up
by kensai on Aug 19, 2009 6:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You mean Bronson Arroyo (ex-Red Sox, a McCourt specialty) doesn’t turn you on? ;)
by David Young on Aug 19, 2009 6:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Padilla's starting next Thurs...
…does that mean he’s taking Haeger’s scheduled turn in the rotation? Or does Monday’s off day change things?
by The Dude Abides on Aug 19, 2009 6:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
But, but, the Dodgers couldn't compete without him!?!
Derek Lowe is a really nice guy. He’s also a popular player in the clubhouse and his career numbers show he would be a solid addition to any team’s starting rotation.
Here’s what Derek Lowe isn’t: A No. 1 starter.
We suspected it before the season and he has confirmed it since. Last night, it hit home like a falling piano on Bobby Cox’s head. Given an early 4-0 lead to work with and facing the broken-down New York Mets in a game the Braves had to have, Lowe was pounded for eight earned runs and 11 hits in 3 2/3 innings. I can only assume Cox was hoping Lowe would channel Grover Alexander at some point in the Mets’ eight-run fourth inning, because that’s the only explanation for the manager leaving him in for as long as he did.
This implosion brings Lowe’s season earned run average to 4.45. That ranks 13th on the Braves’ staff and sixth among pitchers who’ve started at least three games — behind even Kenshin Kawakami (4.13) and Kris Medlen (4.20).
We’ve always known Lowe was not the Braves’ first choice to be their No. 1 starter this season. They danced with San Diego over Jake Peavy. They were stood up in free agency by A.J. Burnett. In the end, they gave Lowe a ridiculous four-year, $60 million contract.
Lesson learned: a fat salary doesn’t make somebody better.
by Tripon on Aug 19, 2009 6:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
greatest Pee Wee picture ever?
William Doolittle at your service, a.k.a. will do.
by Ollie on Aug 19, 2009 6:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
William Doolittle at your service, a.k.a. will do.
by Ollie on Aug 19, 2009 6:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
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