What it takes to get along
March 22nd, 2010 by 
Ray
Last month, when the Joe Mauer extension was simply an inevitability, I wrote about it and what it means for the Padres and Adrian Gonzalez.
The Twins got Mauer at 8-years $184 million, and that’s a steal not a deal, but there’s no way he’ll make less than 16% of their payroll anytime soon, which likely means they won’t win the World Series anytime soon. Despite this, it’s created an excitement for the Twins, Minnesota, and the game of baseball. While the Twins may not be raising any pennants in their new park anytime soon, they will be one of the few teams in the game who can say that they have an honest to goodness Mr. (insert team name here).
Even if you don’t think he’s quite a Mr., there’s no denying that Adrian Gonzalez is a special player and locking him up would ensure he wears the right hat into the Hall of Fame (you know, assuming). It would also put us beyond where Mauer puts the Twins, and it’s unlikely that Adrian would make less than 26% anytime soon.
You play to win the game, but is that the only reason?
Posted in hot stove, players | 
9 Comments »
90% win the game
10% fluff like signing Eckstein and Adrian
So what you end up with is a bunch of crappy teams around Adrian, and you have about 10% fan sentiment.
Just win baby.
I like how you were against the Peavy deal at the time and I was all for it.
Don’t think this means I’m for an Adrian extension.
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Put me in the ‘build a winner first’ column. Teams that try to build around the big guy don’t seem to get it done, while clubs that build a balanced team first and add a slugger as the final piece become big winners.
As Adrian himself said, he’s on his third team. He wasn’t drafted/developed by the Padres as Tony The Gwynn (Sr.) was, and as Kyle Blanks was. Speaking of whom, having a guy with potentially MORE power than Adrian makes it a lot easier to say no to Yankees (not Teixeira) money.
I’l stick my neck out and say Kyle will make us forget Adrian in two years or less.
I agree with your team building philosophy. At least, that it makes sense to commit to a player during years in which your chances of competing are better.
That said, I don’t see Blanks becoming as good as Gonazalz. At least, not perennial seasons like Adrian’s 2009 campaign.
Wait a minute – are you saying Adrian’s “career year” (so far) is what he’s going to do EVERY year? I don’t think Adrian can do that consistently, year after year. He’s only done it once. Prince Fielder has hit 40+ homers twice, and I think Blanks has Fielder’s power to all fields. Right now, it’s proven performance vs potential, but when the latter costs $400k and the former wants $20+M, it makes more sense to see how Blanks develops along with the rest of the team.
No. I don’t think Blanks will be as good as Adrian. But don’t get me wrong, I’m all for trading him.
You know what, I take that back. I just looked at Blanks’ 2009 minor league translations, they’re quite impressive. Gonzalez’s power didn’t develop until later, either.
But I don’t take back the part about being in favor of trading Adrian.