Sez Me …
Elon Musk is a billionaire who wants to go to Mars. Peter Seidler is a billionaire who wants to go to the World Series.
Both are not easy to get to. But I’m riding shotgun with Peter on this trip, which may be harder, eventually more expensive and precarious, but shorter.
The only interest I have in Mars is the candy bar, which was my dad’s favorite. I find the Series much more tasty, and sweet.
In any event, the Padres’ owner is at it again, throwing big money around as Rockefeller handed out dimes.
After paying out hundreds of millions to Manny Machado and Fernando “Evel Knievel” Tatis — and this precludes the bundle he eventually may pay Juan Soto (after the bad Aaron Judge and Trea Turner rumor tree bore no fruit) — Seidler decided to drop an $11-year, $280 million roll into the pocket of free agent shortstop Xander Bogaerts, formerly of the Red Sox.
I assume I’m properly assuming General Manager A.J. Preller knows what he’s going to do with all these shortstops. Bogaerts will start there, Ha-Seong Kim, an excellent shortstop, will move to second, and Tatis to the outfield. Maybe Jake Cronenworth becomes first baseman, or is traded for one.
Assuming is for amateurs, but it does make sense that way.
The top of this batting order — Tatis, Machado, Soto and Bogaerts — could be the best in baseball. From the Four Tops to the Fab Four, 30 years later.
Judge and Turner were not coming. The Padres were used as agent leverage. Don’t give me that California tax crap. Seidler offered more dough.
They didn’t come because they didn’t want to. Fine. Judge would look at Petco Park and see Balboa Park, anyway. Turner is faster than Bogaerts? Big deal. The Padres run as often as I do.
Since 2018, among shortstops with 1,250 plate appearances, and playing 60 percent of their games at the position, Bogaerts ranks first in on-base percentage, first in WAR, second in batting average and second in slugging percentage.
He’s very good. Can’t have enough very good players.
The key is Tatis, who can return April 20 following his PED sentence. I’ve written this before and will do so again. With his speed, instincts and range, Fernando is a natural center fielder, probably the best athlete in the game, who can bat better than a buck-fifty. Put him out there and hit him 10,000 balls. He’ll get it, with less chance of injury. Center in Petco is essential.
What’s crazy are those who can’t comprehend how Seidler can do all this in a small/medium/whatever market. We complain when owners don’t spend and complain when they do.
He can do this not only because he can, but because he wants to. Or he wouldn’t. This is not fool’s gold he’s spending.
Hell, sit back, relax and enjoy. It’s not your money.
Peter Seidler has come down our chimney bearing gifts.
He is San Diego’s Santa. And Peter doesn’t want milk and cookies. Only a ring — which he gladly will pay for. …
Why Bogaerts? Boston’s Rafael Devers to Xander: “Thank you for teaching me many things. I’m always going to ire you as a person and as a baller. You’re an example to follow.” …
Pro Football Focus: The NFL Team That Used To Be Here has missed 117 tackles this season, the exact same number USC missed vs. Utah. …
Kyle Shanahan on Tom Brady: “I think he’s playing as good now and throwing the ball as well now as I’ve seen anybody do it.” When it comes to lying straight-faced, football coaches are Laurence Oliviers. …
As drama, Baker Mayfield’s comeback in Rams vs. Raiders was “Hamlet,” and Brady’s in Bucs vs. Saints was “Return to the Blue Lagoon.” …
As I’ve said, many QBs aren’t nearly as good as Baker, who has played in pain and had to dodge more disrespect than defensive linemen. Here, he took advantage of stupid coaching. It was a secular miracle. Brady’s also was a direct result of poor coaching. …
The Titans, in line to win their division, fire GM Jon Robinson. In December? Jon, what did you do? …
The Bills will have to get past the Chiefs to play in February. And with Von Miller out for the year, it’s hard to see it happening. His loss is enormous. …
I think, if Alabama played TCU 100 times, it would win 101. The teams making the CFP Final Four are ecstatic the Tide didn’t get invited, but did Bama belong? No. …
Nick Saban unabashedly carnival-barking for his team to make the dance was embarrassing. So you lost two close games. You lost, Nick, lost two, and with the most talented roster in America. …
This was Saban’s worst coaching job since the Dolphins. …
Quarterback Caleb Williams is USC’s best running back since Reggie Bush. …
I like Colorado’s play, hiring Deion Sanders. The football program has been dropping Buffalo patties for years and continues to stink. Can’t find the downside. He’s got the attention of recruits at a place in which attention hasn’t been paid. …
Claude Gilbert always thought Colorado was an untapped oil well. Great location, the eastern-most Pac-12 school, beautiful setting. But that was before Boulder was pounded into Pebbles. …
I never gave Fred McGriff my Baseball Hall of Fame vote, but I’m not unhappy the Hall’s 16-person contemporary committee unanimously voted him in. He didn’t dominate, which is my major thing, but the “Crime Dog” was very good, and a good-guy credit to the game. …
We seem to forget Alan Trammell when discussing San Diego’s greatest athletes. He’s in baseball’s Hall and was an outstanding all-county basketball player at Kearny High. Very similar to San Diego High’s Graig Nettles. …
I love it when a DB grabs more material than a New York clothier and complains about a holding or PI call. They’re hard to get right, but when you grab a jersey, it’s easy. …
Cowboys will sign OBJ with the proviso he doesn’t travel on the team plane. …
Shout out: Speaking of clothing, the ESPN Store is selling a hoodie featuring Stephen A. Smith, favorite of the hard of hearing. …
Why so many upsets at the World Cup? Two reasons. 1. Underdogs played better. 2. Better teams want to get out of Qatar. …
Hope and Crosby’s WC chant: “Like Webster’s Dictionary we’re Morocco bound.” …
Ronaldo has been offered $250 million U.S. to play for Saudi Arabia’s El-Nasser soccer team. Deal sounds a bit oily to him, so he’s considering $500 million from LIV. …
Elton John sings “Goodbye, Twitter,” which has lived its life like flatulence in the wind — and, by the way, doesn’t decide 2-year-old elections. …
I am terribly pleased Brittney Griner has been released. So there. …
Herschel Walker enters transfer portal, eyes Texas. …
Love Army-Navy. But I always wonder if The Lonesome End ever found a friend. …
We went on a lovely cruise last month, so I’m not thinking about going anywhere. When I crave traveling, I’ll watch the NBA. …
Happy 50th anniversary, my angel Teresa. To you, I imagine it seems like only a half-century ago.
Twitter: @sdutCanepa
