Wolf signs with Padres
December 10th, 2007
San Diego, CA (Sports Network) - The San Diego Padres agreed to terms on a one-year contract with left-handed pitcher Randy Wolf on Monday.
The 31-year-old Wolf went 9-6 with a 4.73 ERA in just 18 starts for the Los Angeles Dodgers last season. He didn't pitch after July 3, instead undergoing surgery on his shoulder.
Over parts of nine Major League seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies and Dodgers, Wolf has a career 78-66 record with a 4.25 ERA.
Wolf recorded double-digit wins in four consecutive seasons with the Phillies from 2000-03, and was selected to the '03 National League All-Star team. He has 1,065 strikeouts to 476 walks in 212 games (208 starts).
Edmonds bound for San Diego
December 14th, 2007
St. Louis, MO (Sports Network) - Eight-time Gold Glove outfielder Jim Edmonds is taking his game to spacious Petco Park.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports the Cardinals have reached an agreement to send Edmonds and cash to the San Diego Padres in exchange for a minor league prospect, believed to be 24-year old third baseman David Freese.
The Post-Dispatch reports the trade is expected to be announced Saturday and that Edmonds hinted at a deal earlier this month when he agreed to eliminate his no-trade clause if he was dealt to a team from Southern California.
The newspaper also reports leading prospect Colby Rasmus is expected to make the jump in the spring from Double-A to take over Edmonds' vacated position.
The deal means Edmonds takes over in center field for Mike Cameron, who isn't expected to be back with the Padres for 2008.
The 37-year-old Edmonds hit.252 with 12 homers and 53 RBI in 117 games last season, his eighth with the Cardinals. He was hampered by a groin injury late in the season and also missed 27 contests due to a lower back problem.
A four-time All-Star, Edmonds is going to make a return to Southern California, having played for the Angels the first seven years of his career. He's a lifetime .287 hitter with 362 homers and 1,121 RBI.
Padres sign Estes, Rusch to minor league contracts
December 14th, 2007
San Diego, CA (Sports Network) - The San Diego Padres agreed to terms on minor league contracts with left-handed pitchers Shawn Estes and Glendon Rusch on Friday.
Estes made a combined 11 appearances, including eight starts, in the Padres' minor league system in 2007. While splitting time between the rookie level, Single-A Elsinore and Triple-A Portland, he went 0-2 with a 4.45 ERA, fanning 27 batters and walking seven.
Estes, 34, continues to work his way back from "Tommy John" surgery performed on June 7, 2006. He has 12 Major League seasons under his belt with the San Francisco Giants (1995-2001), New York Mets (2002), Cincinnati Reds (2002), Chicago Cubs (2003), Colorado Rockies (2004), Arizona Diamondbacks (2005) and Padres (2006) and holds a career record of 99-90 with a 4.71 ERA in 274 games.
Rusch, 33, last pitched for the Cubs during the 2006 season and was 3-8 with a 7.46 ERA over 25 appearances, including nine starts. He missed the remainder of the '06 campaign after he was diagnosed with pulmonary embolism on September 12, and was released by the club on January 24, 2007.
Rusch holds a career mark of 60-94 over parts of 10 Major League seasons with the Royals (1997-99), Mets (1999-2001), Brewers (2002-03) and Cubs (2004-06).