Rating the farm system: Call it average at best

The organization has started to play catch-up, and a Moorad purchase could accelerate that process

Will Venable, here hitting a triple on his first swing in the major leagues last season, is older than most prospects at 26, but showed big improvement in 2008.
Lenny Ignelzi/AP Photo

Ranking the Top 10 Padres prospects
A look at the Padres' top 10 propects based on a survey of 10 major league talent evaluators.

Former D'backs executive Moorad near deal to buy Padres from Moores
The transaction could be finalized in the next three months, with the sale price expected to exceed $400 million.
– Moorad bio

Many more questions than answers regarding possible Moorad ownership
TIM SULLIVAN: But while little is known about what changes would be coming should Moorad take control of the Padres next spring, any new direction is likely to be better than no direction.

Padres 2009 contracts
The Padres are aiming to keep their payroll around $40 million in 2009. Here are the players currently under contract.

Padres Blog
Ch. 4 close on new play-by-play man
Sources say Mark Neely, voice of the Double-A Tulsa Drillers, has received an offer and a deal could be finalized next week.

Padres Mailbag
Have a question for Padres beat writers Tom Krasovic and Bill Center? Ask away.

Previous Padres Stories

Padres hope their core of young players will help produce a turnaround in 2009
ANALYSIS: As the Padres emerge from this year's wreckage, their challenge might be less daunting than their record suggests.
– Padres contracts
– Padres report card
– Padres 2009 schedule (PDF)

Sunday, January 4

Moorad would boost strength in draft
What quality of farm system would a Jeff Moorad-led group inherit if, as Moorad strongly implied Friday, his cadre soon buys control of the Padres from John and Becky Moores?

Saturday, January 3

Ranking the Top 10 Padres prospects
A look at the Padres' top 10 propects based on a survey of 10 major league talent evaluators.

Rating the farm system: Call it average at best
The organization has started to play catch-up, and a Moorad purchase could accelerate that process

Friday, January 2

Thursday, January 1
Wednesday, December 31

Cubs make some intriguing moves that could resurrect Peavy talks
Padres GM Kevin Towers denies a connection, but Chicago opens up significant salary room by trading infielder Mark DeRosa and starting pitcher Jason Marquis.
– Tom Krasovic 12/31 chat transcript

AP Baseball Coverage

· Lawmaker wants to postpone Mets, Yanks bond vote
· AP source: Proctor reaches agreement with Marlins
· Angels agree to terms with reliever Brian Fuentes
· Cubs, infielder Aaron Miles agree on 2-year deal
· Indians acquire INF Mark DeRosa to play third
· Reports: Red Sox reach deal with RHP Brad Penny

Got a question for the Padres?

Got a question related to the Padres? Just post it here. Padres beat writers Tom Krasovic and Bill Center will be answering questions periodically throughout the season.

Rating the farm system: Call it average at best

AP Baseball Coverage

Got a question for the Padres?

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