Trevor Hoffman Is Not Happy With the Padres

Because of all the trading they've been doing lately. They got rid of a declining Scott Linebrink for a trio of prospects, they traded for Scott Hairston, they acquired Morgan Ensberg, Rob Mackowiak and Wilfredo Ledezma, and they signed Shea Hillenbrand to a minor league deal. Predictably, the series of deals, coupled with the firing of hitting coach Merv Rettenmund, not to mention the recent string of losing, has left Hoffman quite disappointed:

"I think today's (moves) caught people off guard," Hoffman said. "There's a bit of scrambling around not knowing what happened or why. I'm a big believer in clubhouse chemistry. ... It's dangerous. There are only so many spots. Its musical chairs and you better get a chair."

Those complaints from Hoffman came only a week after he termed the trade of setup man Scott Linebrink "incomprehensible." While I'm not a member of the Padres clubhouse, I do have to say that team is better off with the moves they've made. Their bench is significantly stronger, just as GM Kevin Towers reasoned. Maybe they're losing not because of the lack of chemistry, but because there's only so long a pitching staff can dominate at the rate the Padres had been without having a good offense to pick them up. Had the Padres been playing better, I'm not so certain you'd be hearing the same complaints.

Previously at FanHouse:
Padres Can Hitting Coach Merv Rettenmund, Resurrect Wally Joyner
The Morgan Ensberg Saga Goes to San Diego
Padres Acqure Rob Mackowiak From White Sox
Brewers Trade for Scott Linebrink