Recap Of Bill Center’s Weekly Chat

The Padres have not made a whole lot of moves in the offseason, so Padres news has not been very plentiful. However, Bill Center, who covers the Padres for the U-T had some interesting responses to questions in his weekly chat. Here are some of the highlights:

The Padres, as we reported here, are pursuing free agent pitcher Edwin Jackson as well as Tigers righty Rick Porcello. Center does not see the Padres going beyond $11 million a season for Jackson and neither do I. I would welcome the addition of Jackson, but not a exorbitant price tag. As for Porcello, Center thinks that Luke Gregerson could be a starting point in trade negotiations.

Oct 24, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Rick Porcello (48) delivers a pitch during the eighth inning of game one of the 2012 World Series against the San Francisco Giants at AT

Center also thinks the Padres will end up bringing back 2011 Opening Day starter Tim Stauffer on a minor league deal. It would be a wise signing, as Stauffer has the ability to start or relieve.

One reader posted a question about top prospect Jedd Gyorko and the numbers he could produce for the Padres as a rookie. Center thinks that Gyorko can produce a .270 average, with 12-15 homers. I can see Gyorko producing those type of numbers offensively — the question with Gyorko will be how his glove plays at the next level. Center commented that Gyorko reminds him of Jeff Kent. Hopefully Jedd doesn’t like to wash his own pickup truck.

Remember, Center hosts these chats every Friday on the U-T’s site. Keep your mouse here for continued Padres coverage.