Rob. Johnson.

So that's why Jed Hoyer brought in Rob Johnson. To win baseball games.

Rob pounded a go-ahead bomb in the bottom of the 8th, and then threw out the potential tying run at third in the 9th, to help lead the Padres to a 6-5 win over the Buccos.

What I especially liked about how Rob Johnson helped win the game for the Padres last night, was that he also very nearly helped lose it. In the top of the 6th, Mat Latos struck out Neil Walker but Rob couldn't handle the pitch and Neil reached base on the E2. Then, in the 9th, on the final strike of the game, Rob again mishandled a pitch but Ryan Doumit didn't immediately run to first base. Had Doumit run, he likely reaches the bag, the game isn't over, and the Buccos have the tying run at first. As it happened, Doumit hesitated and Rob had time to throw him out. Game over.

For now I'm calling this "The Rob Johnson Game." Hopefully that will change as Rob's heroics extend to other games, thus rendering this game just one in a long line of great Rob Johnson games, lowercase "g".

That would actually be a nice compliment for a ballplayer: "He's so good, they talk about him in lowercase."

Think about it. It works.

My Padres Lineup

I'm fully on board with the recent moves Jed Hoyer has made to prepare the Padres for the 2011 season. In particular I love the Brad Hawpe signing. I fully expect him to approximate his career average line of .279/.373/.490. If he doesn't I'll be shocked.

Here's the lineup I'd like to see for the Drinos on Opening Day 2011, an afternoon tilt in St. Louis on March 31:

1. Will Venable - RF

2. Orlando Hudson - 2B

3. Brad Hawpe - 1B

4. Ryan Ludwick - LF

5. Chase Headley - 3B

6. Nick Hundley - C

7. Jason Bartlett - SS

8. Cameron Maybin - CF

I've seen some suggest that Bartlett should bat #2 with O Dog in the three hole, but I'd like a bit more pop from the #3 spot. If you want to switch Hundley and Bartlett in the six and seven spots, I'm fine with that.

And the rotation:

LHP - Clayton Richard

RHP - Mat Latos

RHP - Aaron Harang

RHP - Tim Stauffer

RHP - Chris Young

It's doubtful the Padres will sign CY, but I'd like to see them give him a two-year deal with choice incentives. CY must know Petco is his best shot at putting up good numbers so he should accept such an offer. If CY goes elsewhere I'd like to see Cory Luebke in the #5 spot. I like how he throws with a downward plane from the left side.

Happy New Year.

Just Hours Away From Cory Luebke's Debut

Good thing my man Cory Luebke is starting tonight in a must-win game against the Rockies.

Otherwise I might be worried.

In all seriousness, though, I think Bud and Jed set this up well, giving Cory his first major-league start at home, in the best pitcher's park in baseball. That fact alone should cover up at least a few mistakes caused by early-inning jitters. The timing of Cory's start also gives the other five Padres starters an extra day of rest, setting them up to finish strong over the remaining games of this critical 10-game homestand.

Another factor working in Cory's favor tonight: the Rockies hitters don't know him or his stuff. Sure, they have scouting reports, but none of them have stepped in against Cory in a major league setting. The element of surprise might be the trick to cool down the potent Rockies bats.

Must-see ballgame. Tonight. At Petco.

Query Jon Garland

Reports are that the Padres signed Jon Garland today.

I'm just a guy, sitting around, writing a blog, but this strikes me as exactly the type of player the Padres need.

Get r dun, Jed.

Petco Park On A Quiet Thursday In January

Last Thursday afternoon - well before the debacle at Qualcomm on Sunday - I arrived in San Diego and took a stroll down to Petco Park. As the photos above can attest, the day was absolutely perfect.

As I walked around the ballpark enjoying the perfect warmth of a sunny 69 degree day, I imagined Jed Hoyer sitting inside in his office, reading some scouting reports, chatting up some agents by telephone and likely housing a fish taco lunch. Then I thought about his office at his last job, probably in some early 20th century windowless tank at Fenway, the frigid winds of a Boston January seeping through the crumbling concrete as he scarfed down a quick bowl of clam chowder in between "emergency" calls from Theo Epstein, pressing him for inconsequential data about some overpriced free agent.

And then I thought to myself: well played moving to the Diego, Jed. Well played.

Heath Is In The Fold To The Tune Of $4 Million

The Drinos and Heath Bell agreed to a one-year contract to avoid arbitration. The deal is worth $4 million to Heath and should allow him to stock up on things he likes, like candy bars and ass kickings.

Jed Hoyer may still choose to trade Heath - which might make sense if in return he can get a promising young arm - but for now Heath is on board, ready to close out games for the 2010 Drinos.

Having a closer of Heath's skill might not seem necessary to a team that no one expects to compete, but not having Heath makes it even more likely the team will not compete. It's one of those self-fulfilling prophecies the Greek dramatists wrote about so much.

A Heath Bell-Mike Adams-Luke Gregerson-Edward Mujica-Adam Russell-Joe Thatcher-Ryan Webb bullpen could be rather ridiculous. I'm on board.

I Forgot To Mention That Mike Hazen Turned Down The Padres

Mike Hazen turned down his pal Jed Hoyer last week and decided to stay on as an executive with the Red Sox. A shame. I've heard good things about Hazen.

But I'm sure Jed has some other talented beasts in mind to fill the assistant GM role.

Get to it, Jed. Don't let me hold you up.

Jed Hoyer Dispenses With Grady Fuson

Looks like one of Jed Hoyer's first moves as Padres GM is removing Grady Fuson as vice president of scouting and player development. Fuson was on the job for 5 years.

Scouting and player development is probably the most important job on a mid-to-small market team, so I have no problem with Jed bringing in his own guy for the job. I'm also confident that Jed will select someone who will know what he's doing. I have no specific reason to be confident about that, but I am.

For Grady's part, he did an okay job in his 5 years. Successes and potential successes include Kyle Blanks, Will Venable, Mat Latos, Nick Hundley, Wade LeBlanc and Chase Headley. Disappointments and potential disappointments include Matt Antonelli, Cesar Carrillo, Cesar Ramos and Nick Schmidt. That's not a complete list. That's just a list I copied from an article in the U-T.

As with any new hire, it will take a few years to know if Jed is moving the Drinos player development system in the right direction. I like the direction the system moved last year with all the power arms KT traded for, and the development of players like James Darnell and Jaff Decker. Hopefully Jed can do even better.

It's Hoyer

So the Padres get Jed Hoyer and the Red Sox might hire Kevin Towers.

Nothing against Jed, but on the face of the deal I'm betting Theo doesn't consider this a downgrade.