Throwdowns > Completed

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  • July 17, 2007 07:14 PM ET

San Diego Padres General Manager Kevin Towers has done a better job this year and last year than any other GM in Major League Baseball

EastCoastKeith (1-2-0) vs Coletrain (302-88-22)
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San Diego's Kevin Towers has proven day in, day out, the last two years he is clearly the best GM in MLB. The reasons are many as will be shown here in a throwdown claim which is clearly undeniable to clear-thinking, level-headed baseball fans. For starters, the 2007 Padres had an opening-day payroll of $58,110,567. Out of 30 MLB clubs, that figure ranks 24th. And still San Diego remains clearly one of the best teams in baseball today and has been all season either in first place or as a NL West contender all year with MLB's best team pitching, which is on a historic pace at the moment (check your MLB team pitching stats for yourself). The Padres currently in a three-game series with the Mets who they beat last night 5-1 (Monday) are spending close to $60 million less than the Mets, yet both teams - not just the Mets - are likely clubs playing in October. Towers is the king of the waiver wire, the king of trades, and the king of finding players who have trouble elsewhere but succeed in San Diego as I will prove in this throwdown if there is even someone out there who thinks they have a intelligent argument against Kevin Towers. Cashman, Minaya, and Epstein can learn a lot here.


I'm gonna lose this, but I'll try. Doug Melvin of the Brewers. He got and kept Prince Fielder, traded for Fransico Cordero, signed Suppan, got Corey Hart, traded for Mench, drafted Yovani Gallardo, and he has completely changed the attitude in Milwaukee. First time they have a winning team in a long time. And he doesn't have much money either. I'm taking Melvin.


First in '06, around All-Star break, Towers out-foxed Epstein. Boston needed a catcher for Wakefield and wanted Doug Maribelli back. Towers sent Maribelli back to Boston and got catcher Josh Bard and relief pitcher Cla Meredith - both were thought to be struggling. Meredith finished 2006 with 1.06 ERA, 37Ks, and was 5-1. He already has 37 Ks in '07 and is huge in the set-up role for Hoffman. Bard left Boston hitting .278 and finished at .338. Maribelli hit .191 in 06 and today is .185.


That was a great move and Towers is a great G.M. Can't argue that. I think lately, Melvin has been better. He has built a younger team moslty around prospects and smart free agent signingsThe Padres have not made it far in the playoffs. Granted neither has the Brewers, but the Brew Crew has been grooming their young guys and getting the pieces around them. It has taken longer.


Towers "lately" - claims SP Justin Germano off waivers in March (takes over for Clay Hensley in rotation, is 6-3, 3.55 ERA, 37 Ks, shut out Dbaks last start); trades Ben Johnson and Jon Adkins to Mets (both in minors) for RP Heath Bell (2.22 ERA 54 Ks) and Royce Ring; trades Rob Bowen to Cubs for Michael Barrett (Bowen just traded again-Barrett .345 BA in July); trades minor league SP Andrew Brown (9.00 July ERA) to A's for Milton Bradley (5 games w/SD .398 BA, .476 OBP, 3RBI, 5 runs). NoContest


Well, those are great trades. But they are also stupid moves by the other team. And you can't go by only 5 games. Need more time. And that trade was also good for the Cubs. Needed to get rid of Barrett. I think Towers is a better G.M. but for the last year, the Brew Crew have over come alot more and have changed very much. Not all of his moves have been good. I'll still think Melvin. Good throwdown, Keith.

Comments (12) Add A Comment

July 17, 2007  07:17 PM ET
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Hello,Keith.

July 17, 2007  07:33 PM ET
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Sorry I declined and accepted again.

July 17, 2007  07:41 PM ET
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damn cuz i was going to say Arizona for their drafting and contending but then again arizona's management has really been bad in a way
o well
pic the one u like

July 17, 2007  08:03 PM ET
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(iron curtain...now in HD!)

July 17, 2007  08:05 PM ET
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Hmm, that "I'm gonna lose this" plan seems to work consistently for you, Coletrain. I see right through your strategy. Vote to EastCoastKeith.

July 17, 2007  08:06 PM ET
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Not really. I just like his argument better.

July 17, 2007  08:18 PM ET
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Yeah, why haven't we tapped a keg for Coletrain's 100th win?

(I havent voted, by the way...so don't think i'm just voting for Coletrain because he's 100 TD Winner Coletrain)

July 17, 2007  08:23 PM ET
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I swear I didn't think I would win this. At least have 6 votes. IROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON
CUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURtaiNnNnNnNnNnNnNnNn@#$@# %

July 17, 2007  08:28 PM ET
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OK I am done with my arguments and will not continue any of it here in comments. But I have to say -with all due respect to Coletrain whose stuff on fannation I always respect - I cannot believe anyone would pick Bob Melvin of all GMs over Kevin Towers. Please folks, before voting, at least check the stats and facts before making a decision.

July 17, 2007  08:31 PM ET
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I respect you too Keith. Did you ever think you would say you respect a Yankee fan? lol

July 17, 2007  08:51 PM ET
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If we can do it here, the world can do it out there Coletrain. We have careers ahead with the U.N. Peace Keepers.

 
July 17, 2007  08:57 PM ET
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You are right. Anything is possible now. lol

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