San Diego general manager Kevin Towers has the worst job in baseball.

He must preside over the second dismantling of the franchise in 15 years.

Towers arrived about two years after former owner Tom Werner ordered a fire sale in 1993. Towers showed his considerable skills by turning around a bad situation in a hurry. The Padres reached the playoffs in 1996 and the World Series in 1998.

Now comes another storm. This one makes the Werner era look like a day at a San Diego beach.

The national economy stinks, and the Padres were not much better this season. Current owner John Moores is in the midst of a traumatic and potentially costly divorce. Moores could end up selling up to 49 percent of the club.

There is only one response in the situation.

Slash the payroll.

The Padres finished last in the National League West this season with a payroll of $73.6 million. They likely will finish last against next season, with a payroll of about $35 million.

A much lower payroll makes it easier for Moores to find needed buyers for a piece of the team. It also makes it easier for Moores to sell the team, if it comes to that point.

A lower payroll also makes it easier for Moores to keep the team and reap a profit, a popular theory among conspiracy buffs.

The Padres moved into Petco Park, built with public funds, in 2004, and it keeps spewing revenue. Despite putting a terrible product on the field, the Padres drew 2.4 million customers this season.

The onus for cutting the payroll falls upon Towers. The only way for him to get to the lower number is dumping icons.

That led to the recent clumsy handling of closer Trevor Hoffman, the all-time saves leader.

The Padres pulled off the table the offer of a one-year contract for Hoffman, which is their right. The club did not rule out trying again to re-sign Hoffman, a free agent.

The problem was the club went silent after the decision, forcing Towers into the uncomfortable position of throwing out ``no comments'' when asked to explain what had happened. Hoffman deserved better treatment.

At the same time, Towers is trying to trade ace righthander Jake Peavy, who will earn a minimum of $63 million over the next five seasons. What seems like an easier task is actually a test.

With no-trade protection in his contract, Peavy can shape his future. Peavy and his agent, Barry Axelrod, started by giving the Padres a list of five clubs to which he would be agreeable to a deal: Atlanta, the Chicago Cubs, Houston, the Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis.

Towers is left trying to deal from a position of weakness. Potential trading partners recognize that he must unload Peavy. As much as everyone in the game likes Towers, no one will give him a break here. It's that kind of business.

The five clubs on Peavy's list have been shrewd enough not to bid against each other and inflate the market. Towers would like to draw the New York Yankees into the equation, a sure-fire way to raise the price, but Peavy is uncomfortable in the biggest-city environment.

For now, Towers plays a waiting game.

``As of right now, there hasn't been a deal that's been presented to us that we could accept,'' Towers told reporters. ``The next thing is (for) Barry to sit down with Jake and say `Doesn't look like anything's happening with L.A. Nothing's more than likely happening with the Chicago Cubs and as of now not with the (Braves). As of now, you're probably going to remain a Padre.' ''

The Padres' hope is that Peavy will never accept playing for what will be a terrible team next season and expand the group of teams to which he would accept a trade.

The Padres' fear is Peavy will remain and either gobble up most of the payroll next season or force the club to trade him for the equivalent of pennies on the dollar.

That tells the magnitude of San Diego's plight. The Padres have a Cy Young winner to deal, and it brings nothing but headaches. If Kevin Towers makes something out of this mess, imposed from above, it will be remarkable.

Gerry Fraley, a free-lance baseball writer based in St. Louis, is a regular contributor to Sporting News.

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Baseball awards season serves as a reminder that the Cleveland Indians can get back to contender status in a hurry.

Lefthander Cliff Lee should win the A.L. Cy Young Award on Thursday. And Grady Sizemore already received his second Gold Glove, giving the Indians a top-flight center fielder who had a slugging percentage of better than .500 this season.

Lee and Sizemore headline a core of talent that can lift the Indians from this season's lackluster .500 performance -- if that core is given the necessary help.

A year ago at this time, Indians general manager Mark Shapiro made a significant strategic error by deciding not to tinker with a club that fell one win short of reaching the World Series. The Indians' 2008 showing served as a reminder to every general manager that if you are just standing still with your club, others are shooting past you.

It will take more than the firing of bullpen coach Luis Isaac, who had been with the franchise for 44 years, to get the Indians back into the playoffs.

Shapiro did not ask for it, but here's a handy to-do list for the Indians this offseason:

Get faster

Cleveland executives cling to the notion that speed is overrated. They are in the minority on that.

The World Series clubs -- Philadelphia and Tampa Bay -- had a high amount of speed. So did the other teams -- Boston and the L.A. Dodgers -- that reached their respective League Championship Series.

All four of those clubs ran the bases aggressively and could create runs, a skill the Indians lacked. Cleveland ranked 12th in the A.L. in stolen bases with 77 and went 23-42 in games in which it didn't homer.

The Indians need more speed for their defense, too. In the opinion of several scouts, Cleveland ranked among the worst defensive teams in the majors because it also was among the slowest team in the majors.

Balls that should have been caught went through the gaps. Sizemore earned his Gold Glove the hard way, by having to range nearly from foul line to foul line.

Fix the bullpen

Philadelphia rode the N.L.'s best bullpen from start to finish. Tampa Bay made its leap from worst to first because its bullpen dramatically improved.

On the flip side, Cleveland ranked 13th in the A.L. with a 5.11 ERA. That was one spot behind Detroit and one spot ahead of Texas. Detroit was the league's most disappointing club, and Texas, as usual, was never a factor.

That the Indians finished with a .500 record hints at what this team could do with just a workmanlike bullpen. Cleveland relievers were 19-25 with that shoddy 5.11 ERA. By comparison, Tampa Bay's bullpen went 31-17 and cut its ERA by more than two runs to 3.55 (Rays relievers had an A.L.-worst 6.16 ERA in 2007).

The first step for Cleveland is to settle on a true closer. The position was unsettled all season, and the Indians had an A.L.-low 31 saves to go with 20 blown saves. The answer cannot be righthander Rafael Betancourt, who mysteriously lost the sink on his fastball. The Indians must ease him back into pressure spots.

Add contact hitters

As previously mentioned, the Indians were slow. On top of that, they didn't make much contact. That is a bad combination.

Cleveland had the A.L.'s third-highest strikeout total with 7.49 Ks per game. They had three players among the A.L.'s top 12 in strikeouts: catcher Kelly Shoppach (133), Sizemore (130) and shortstop Jhonny Peralta (126).

Those wasted outs made this an inconsistent offense. The Indians could explode at times but then go silent for an extended stretch. They scored more than 10 runs in a game 18 times, but ranked sixth in the A.L. with 4.97 runs per game.

Other issues to address

The Indians must decide whether to play Peralta at shortstop or at third base, and whether to play Victor Martinez at catcher or first base. And they cannot allow themselves to be held hostage again by designated hitter Travis Hafner's lingering and mysterious shoulder problems.

There are enough good pieces already in place for Shapiro and Co. to make something of this team next season.

Gerry Fraley, a free-lance baseball writer based in St. Louis, is a regular contributor to Sporting News.

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The Colorado Rockies aren't getting much for him.

A day after a proposed deal with the St. Louis Cardinals collapsed, the Rockies turned to the Oakland Athletics. According to several major league officials, the light-hitting A's are about to obtain Holliday for a less-than-inspiring package of pitchers that could include declining closer Huston Street.

In the last three seasons, Street has 23 blown saves in 94 chances for the second-worst success rate at 75.5. Only the Pittsburgh Pirates' Matt Capps is worse in that span, with 17 blown saves in 57 chances for a 70.2 rate.

The proposed deal will look a bit better for the Rockies if they also end up with Carlos Gonzalez, a talented but undisciplined and free-swinging 23-year-old outfielder.

The St. Louis package was going to include outfielder Ryan Ludwick, who made the N.L. All-Star team in a breakthrough season, and a major league-ready pitcher, probably righthander Mitchell Boggs. The Cardinals came to their senses and realized they needed pitching help, not another bat in an already overcrowded outfield.

Why weren't more teams clamoring for Holliday?

Two reasons: his contract status, and his numbers within the numbers.

Holliday can become a free agent after the 2009 season. Colorado has already determined it will be unable to work out a long-term extension with Holliday.

St. Louis briefly clung to the notion that being near his Oklahoma home would convince Holliday to stay with them.

Then the Cardinals remembered uber-agent Scott Boras represents Holliday. Boras likes to get his high-profile clients onto the free-agent market, where he can skillfully play teams against each other. The term "hometown discount" doses not exist in Boras' vocabulary.

If and when Holliday reaches the free-agent market, Boras will do his best to eliminate another term: home-park advantage.

Holliday has become a quality major league player who consistently has good at-bats, but playing home games at Coors Field, whose vast outfield gaps will always favor hitters, has increased his numbers and his value.

Consider the past three seasons:

In that span, Holliday hit 62 homers and drove in 219 runs, with a .669 slugging percentage and 1.098 OPS at Coors. He was either first or second in the N.L. in each category. On the road, the numbers were significantly lower. Holliday had 33 homers and 120 RBIs, with a .486 slugging percentage and an .858 OPS. He ranked 24th or worse in the league in each category.

Take Holliday out of Coors, and he turns into a good but not great offensive performer. His defense, according to several major league scouts, is typical of an average left fielder who does not throw well.

The Cardinals saved themselves from making a major mistake by backing away from Holliday. St. Louis must use its appealing resources on pitching.

A losing record (38-40) for the final three months dropped the Cardinals to fourth in the National League Central, but they had 86 wins. A few tweaks could turn this club into a contender again.

What was the N.L.'s most ineffective bullpen this season needs a closer and at least two situational lefthanders, something manager Tony La Russa craves.

For the second consecutive season, the rotation cannot count on ace righthander Chris Carpenter. He recently underwent surgery to transport a nerve near the right elbow. Carpenter is also dealing with a nerve disorder in the right shoulder.

"Whatever Carp's situation, we have other needs to address,'' La Russa said. "What we can do will largely be dictated by the market.''

St. Louis missed the playoffs because it could not hold late leads. The bullpen led the N.L. with 31 losses and 31 blown saves. The Cardinals lost a league-high 14 games when leading after seven innings. The Chicago Cubs, who won the N.L. Central, were 82-4 when leading after seven innings. Milwaukee, which won the wild card out of the Central, was 68-9 when leading after seven.

The Cardinals did not have enough to reel in the Cubs, but they would have surpassed Milwaukee with a better bullpen.

Gerry Fraley, a free-lance baseball writer based in St. Louis, is a regular contributor to Sporting News.

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As former Philadelphia general manager Pat Gilllick said throughout the World Series, the Phillies owed a great debt of thanks to his predecessor: Ed Wade.

And it was not because Wade took Gillick up on a trade proposal that sent closer Brad Lidge, the most valuable Phillie, to Philadelphia after last season for disappointing outfielder Michael Bourn.

Gillick recognized that in eight seasons on the job, Wade did the heavy lifting that put the Phillies into position to win. The Phillies' success puts a positive spin on Houston's future.

Wade is now the Astros' general manager, trying to pull off the difficult double of winning in the majors and restocking in the minors. A piece of him nonetheless rode with the Phillies throughout October.

``You're always thinking it could have been you,'' said Wade, who spent 16 years in the Philadelphia organization. ``We were so close, particularly in 2005. At the same time, I've been very gratified about some of the things that have been said.

Wade made the hard decision to rebuild a bankrupt player-development system, even if that meant some hard times at the major-league level.

Wade brought in highly regarded Mike Arbuckle as scouting director and gave him both the resources and freedom to do his job. Together they brought in core players such as lefthander Cole Hamels, the World Series most valuable player; first baseman Ryan Howard, second baseman Chase Utley and left fielder Pat Burrell.

Wade also made the vital change at manager, replacing tightly wound Larry Bowa with the more relaxed and communicative Charlie Manuel. Wade had seen Manuel at work as a special assistant with the Phillies after being dumped by Cleveland.

The locals roasted Wade for hiring a manager perceived as a country yokel, but Manuel had them fooled. He was smart and confident enough to create an easy environment that allowed the young players to flourish.

``Charlie was the right guy at the right time for us,'' Wade said. The Phillies, stuck in the National League East with Atlanta at the height of its powers, did not make the playoffs during Wade's eight years as general manager. That cost Wade his job, but his legacy looks different now.

It took longer than hoped, but Wade changed the direction of the franchise.

``The Phillies weren't used to winning,'' said shortstop Jimmy Rollins, a second-round pick in the 1996 draft. ``But Ed Wade did a good job drafting guys that were built to win, but to be good players and stay for the long run. We're now seeing the work that Ed Wade put in.''

Wade skipped the World Series. Nothing personal. With their meetings in the first week of November, general managers no longer feel the need to gather at the World Series and do the groundwork that leads to trades.

Wade was already well into his off-season mode. He needs at least one starting pitcher to go behind ace righthander Roy Oswalt. A rotation that finished 13th in the NL for innings at 5.64 per start put too much of a burden on the bullpen.

San Diego dangles its ace righthanders, Jake Peavy, but a bone-dry minor-league system gives Wade only a few chips to use. Wade used many of the resources in last year's deal for shortstop Miguel Tejada.

With the departure of Brad Ausmus, Wade is also in the market for a catcher. Light-hitting J.R. Towles is not the answer.

Wade must also decide if the club can stay with the super-speedy but inconsistent Bourn, who had a poor .288 on-base percentage. Gillick won that deal.

At the same time, Wade tries to protect and bring the player-development system back to life while dealing with an often-impatient owner: Drayton McLane.

The task is not as difficult as Wade faced when he took over at Philadelphia: an old club that had had three consecutive losing seasons. The Astros dropped out of contention in mid-June but finished well to get 86 wins.

``We were close at the finish,'' Wade said. ``That's the thing that sticks with you. � When you're competitive and want to win, it's hard to see another club in the World Series.''

It was a bit easier this time. Philadelphia still bears the marks of Ed Wade's handiwork.

Gerry Fraley, a free-lance baseball writer based in St. Louis, is a regular contributor to Sporting News.

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When last seen, Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella was suggesting that his club might be more relaxed next season because it will be the 101st season since the franchise last won the World Series. Something about the round number 100 may have unnerved his club, Piniella theorized.

It certainly made top-level management lose its bearings.

Second-guess Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon all you want for his choices in the final game of the World Series, but Cubs chairman Crane Kenney made the bone-headed move of the offseason. He had a Greek Orthodox priest spread holy water in the club's home dugout before the playoffs began.

One can only imagine Piniella's reaction when told of the stunt. Piniella spends all season trying to downplay the idea of a "Cubs' curse," and the team chairman is acting as if it is for real.

That's why the Cubs are the Cubs.

With Tampa Bay's rise this season, all four expansion clubs from the 1990s have reached the World Series. Arizona and Florida have won it.

And then there are the Cubs. They last reached the World Series in 1945. They have lost their last nine postseason games.

At least they won a series and came within a game of the World Series under Dusty Baker. Piniella's clubs have been swept in two consecutive National League division series, scoring only six runs each time. This season's club led the NL in runs during the regular season with 5.28 per game.

"You can play postseason baseball between now and another 100 years, and if you score six runs in a three-game series, it's going to be another 100 years before you win here," Piniella said. "So we have to score more runs."

To do that, general manager Jim Hendry will have to re-shape the roster and possibly eat some salaries.

The Cubs would be better off without left fielder Alfonso Soriano, who beats up bad pitching and vanishes against top-three starters. Soriano, waving at breaking pitches off the plate, has hit .107 with a .138 on-base percentage in the last two postseasons.

With six years and $106 million remaining on Soriano's contract, Hendry would have a difficult time moving him. The alternative is to lessen the damage he causes by hitting leadoff.

Soriano had a .350 on-base percentage when batting leadoff this season. Among the 10 National Leaguers with at least 80 games in the leadoff spot, only Milwaukee's Ricky Weeks and Colorado's Willy Taveras had a worse on-base percentage.

Baltimore second baseman Brian Roberts would be a suitable replacement at leadoff. Roberts would bring needed elements of speed and good at-bats. He had an American League-best .379 on-base percentage when batting leadoff this season.

The next step is to give Kosuke Fukudome the Kaz Matsui treatment.

Like Fukudome this season, Matsui was a huge bust after signing with the New York Mets before the 2004 season. He spent time in the minors in 2005 and '06 after being traded to Colorado. That helped Matsui revive his career.

Fukudome's spin-out swing combined with a collapsing body will not work in the majors. Opponents quickly found his weaknesses and hammered them. Fukudome hit only .217 with a sickly .640 OPS for 175 at-bats in the second half.

The majors are no place to fix a swing. To have a chance at hitting major-league pitching, Fukudome needs an extended period of swing-repair in the minors. There is no other alternative. Fukudome is untradeable, and he is unlikely to return to Japan and forfeit $38 million over the next three seasons.

Fukudome certainly is not the left-handed bat that Piniella wants. Neither is center fielder Jim Edmonds, who gave the Cubs one good month before fading. The Cubs must look outside to break up their log-jam of right-handed hitters, which includes first baseman Derrek Lee and third baseman Aramis Ramirez.

In the regular season, the Cubs had a .579 winning percentage (66-48) when the opponent started a rigthhander and a .660 winning percentage (31-16) against lefthanders. In the last two postseasons, when the Cubs' offense stopped, opposing righthanders pitched 48 1/3 out of 54 innings.

The Cubs would have to free up salary space to make a run at free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira, a switch-hitter with power from both sides. Trading Lee is a possibility, if he would waive his no-trade protection and the Cubs find another team that believes his power will return after a two-year absence.

Outfielder Bobby Abreu (free agent) and Rangers corner infielder Hank Blalock (trade) are also possibilities.

"I was concerned about our offense coming into this thing," Piniella said after the Los Angeles Dodgers swept the Cubs. "And, basically, my concerns were realized."

That leaves the Cubs with two options: fix the lineup, or wait for Crane Kenney to get the bright idea of an exorcism. The Cubs need a change, or year 101 will end like the 100 before it.

Gerry Fraley, a free-lance baseball writer based in St. Louis, is a regular contributor to Sporting News.

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