Padres to give Fukudome big contract?

12.6.07 9:38pm PST

On the Padres side of the Fukudome race, CEO Sandy Alderson was on XX Sports Radio 1090 AM in San Diego this afternoon. When asked about their offer to the Japanese free agent, he said it was one of the biggest offers they've handed out and could be anywhere from the $30M given to Brian Giles and the $52M being given to Jake Peavy.

12.6.07 2:08pm PST

According to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union Tribune, the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres are neck-and-neck in the race for Japanese free agent Kosuke Fukudome. He says the Cubs could we willing to go as high as $14M - $15M a year for the free agent. If Fukudome wants to play on the West coast, and why wouldn't you, he could take less money to play for the Padres.

Kevin Towers and the rest of the Padres brass have departed Nashville but still could make some big moves prior to Spring Training, especially if they land Fukudome. If they do, the Padres will end their negotiations for Mike Cameron.

Padres finalize contract with Jake Peavy

The San Diego Padres finalized the 3-year extension for right-hander, and 2007 NL Cy Young Award Winner, Jake Peavy. Peavy will make $15M in 2010, $16M in 2011 and $17M in 2012...oh did I mention there's a $22M option for 2013?

Padres Updates

Here are some updates from an article posted this morning by Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union Tribune

The Padres and Jake Peavy have agreed to the basics of the 3-year extension that will keep him under the Padres' control until 2012. The next step for both sides is to negotiate a no-trade clause for the 2007 Cy Young Award Winner. Peavy's agent, Barry Axelrod, said “very encouraged” after meeting with General Manager Kevin Towers at the winter meetings last night in Nashville. “We are closing in on getting something done,” Axelrod said. “It's not done yet.” The 3-year extension is said to be worth $50M - $54M overall.

The Padres have intensified their pursuit of Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome. Fukudome is listed as a right fielder, but the Padres view him as a capable center fielder as well.

The deal for Randy Wolf is for a guaranteed $4M, but with incentives the deal could be worth $9M.

Matt Clement has made it known that the Padres are his first choice, but since the Padres signed left-hander Randy Wolf, they don't see Clement as a high priority. Clement is getting more interest from teams like Toronto and Seattle.

Pitcher Brett Tomko is getting interest from 8 different teams, one of those is the Padres who want to sign him for their bullpen.

Former Padre, and every other team in the NL West, Steve Finley paid his own way to the Winter Meetings in Nashville. He met with Padre officials yesterday telling clubs that he still has something left in the tank. If the Padres are able to re-sign Mike Cameron, they will need a center fielder for the first month of the season due to Cameron's suspension.

Padres close to 3-year extension with Jake Peavy

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports is reporting that the Padres are close to signing Jake Peavy to a 3-year extension, rumored to be worth $17M to $17.5M a year.

This is the biggest extension the Padres have given any of their players since a 4-year $34M extension given to, then Padre, Phil Nevin in 2001.