Babies, Chargers and Padres

For those of you who haven't heard and haven't seen all the pictures, Ellen Elizabeth Crain was born last week! Since then Ellen's World has been flooded with videos and pictures on a nearly daily basis. So make sure you take a moment to visit Ellen she just might be the cutest thing you ever see.

As for non-baby related news the Chargers promising season fizzled quickly in the post season as so many San Diego sports teams do. In an ironic twist it was the day we brought Ellen home that the Chargers lost in their first playoff game while their previous post season game also ended on a heart breaking loss 2 years ago on the day we brought Gypsy home. Note to self, do not bring another new family member home during a Charger post-season game.

So now that the football season is over, in respect to San Diego, it is time to turn our attention to the Padres. Who have quietly been amassing a respectable roster. In a free agent market which has seen some absurd contracts (i.e. Soriano, Gary Matthews Jr, Zito) the Padres have made smart moves in not over extending themselves and positioning another run at a division title, which would give them 3 straight. So if you are not a Padre's fan what are these roster changes? To list a few.....

1. 2B Barfield traded to Cleveland for a promising and much needed 3B, Kouzmanoff.
2. Sign free agent 2B Marcus Giles, current Padre right fielder Brian Giles younger brother.
3. Sign free agent starting pitcher Greg Maddux.
4. Re-sign starting pitcher David Wells.

While these signings are not the blockbuster moves Padre fans were looking for they are changes that make a solid team even better in my opinion. With a starting pitching rotation of Peavy, Wells, Young, Maddux and Hensley you have a good mix of veterans and youth. The biggest question marks remain the offense with new comers like M Giles and Kouzmanoff whose productivity is undetermined. Will Kahlil Greene have a healthy full season? Can Sledge make left field his? Will Josh Bard continue to succeed at catcher now that he is out of the shadow of Piazza? All of these questions will help determine the Padre's success next season but they do not concern me as much as fans of other teams in the NL West should be concerned about their team. In short the Padre's have less holes and more upside.