In recent Padres statements and Sandy Alderson interviews they've spent a lot of time trying to make fans believe that the economy is the reason why the payroll needs to be cut in half and why we need to get rid of Jake Peavy.  The economy is the reason to some extent, but it's Moores' divorce that is much more serious threat.

The thing is that the rumors of the Padres payroll cut happened before the economy took a nose dive.  I'm sure Moores lost a substantial amount of money due to the economy but he isn't going to lose half of his wealth like he will when his divorce is settled.

Every other club in the country is facing the same economic issues as the Padres but they aren't slashing payroll in half and selling off their Jake Peavy's.  Even though Peavy's contract is back loaded it still is a fair contract and something that the Padres should be able to afford, if it wasn't for Moores' divorce.

Owners aware of 'tumultuous' economy

"The economy has created some uncertainty for all of us, and we are working to ensure that support of the Padres as a season-ticket holder remains an affordable option," Padres CEO Sandy Alderson said. "We are constantly looking to add value to season-ticket packages and are glad to offer more options and flexibility for our most loyal fans."

I'm sure fans appreciate the Padres not raising ticket prices again, but honestly I don't think they would be able to after the horrific season and the plans they've made to cut ties with popular players.

Last night when Alderson told John Weisbarth that the economy and "other things" were to blame for tightening of the Padres belt, well that's true, but the "other thing" is the main reason it's John Moores' divorce.

John Weisbarth finishes his interview with Sandy Alderson:

• Two things have brought the Padres two where we are today:  Strategy and Development.
• There won't be a cash infusion from Moores like there was in the last few years because of the economy and "other things". 
  
• Alderson is very confident in the direction of the team
• Decisions are made based mostly on baseball with some thought to the economy
• The Padres will potentially lose 1 or 2 popular players
  
• He knows that fans become attached to these players and he understands and respects that, but he has a responsibility to improve the team
  
• Hoffman pitched well enough to come back and play for the Padres.  "Ironically I might be his biggest supporter."

XX Sports Radio: Bob Scanlan Interview (MP3)

• Both sides are to blame for Hoffman's contract withdrawl.
• Scanlan thinks both sides would say they would do things differently.  Towers was asked about this in his last radio interview and he wouldn't do things differently.
  
• He does not think the deal is necessarily dead between Hoffman and the Padres
  
• He questions the way Trevor's agent handled things
• Trevor's agent made Hoffman look bad in the last negotiations as well
• There is no reason why Trevor's agent should be involved in the meeting with Hoffman and Moores.  Scanlan understands why Hoffman wants to meet with Moores.  He wonders if Moores is embarrassed to meet with Hoffman because of the state of the organization and his personal problems.
• High expectations of increased payroll and better players being brought to San Diego because of the construction of the ball park have soured the fans.  Whether the expectations were real or not is another arugment but they were not met.
• There are ebb and flows on the field, in the Front Office and Ownership Groups.  We are witnessing the entire cycle from the time that Moores saved the Padres moving to another city, to a championship ball club and back to a transition period.  It's a tough time right now.
• Pujols MVP talk.  Scanlan called it.
• We are starting to see a resurgence of an appreciation of the smaller things in the game that are important.
• General Baseball Talk

Where are all of Peavy's suitors?

You think Peavy doesn't want to get the hell out of San Diego and off this sinking ship that is the Padres?  Think again.

Now we are told by Peavy's agent that those 5 teams that Peavy wanted to be traded to was "just a rough sketch" and that rule about him only wanting to play in the National League, well it was more of a "guidline" than a rule.  He says it's all negotiable.

"There are probably six or eight more teams we'd be willing to look at," Axelrod said. "The input we gave was to be cooperative and help them out."

Eight more teams plus the five that have already been mentioned that brings the total up to 13, almost half the teams in the Major Leagues.  Yeah Peavy wants out of San Diego bad.

Always helping those two, Peavy and Axelrod, a couple of helpful guys.

Axlerod thinks that the Braves are just posturing and I think he's just posturing pretending like there are other clubs that Peavy is interested in order to put pressure on the Braves.

Look at me I'm so jaded now.  I don't believe anything anybody tells me about the Padres unless it's really, really bad. 

The Padres are going to be competitive... ha!  The ballpark is going to fall into a giant sink hole... I knew it!  See what I'm saying.

Giles expect to start next season with the Padres despite rumors

Giles says he's going to play here, but then comments a little bit on Peavy and Hoffman.

“Obviously with the Peavy stuff and the Hoffy situation, those are two big pieces that we need and are going to miss if we don't retain them,” he said. “Hopefully, Peav is just talk, and hopefully they can find a way to get back to the negotiating table and we can keep Hoffy here.

“We'll have to see how it plays out. This whole division didn't look good last year.”

Then we read a little update on Peavy.  As you know, the Braves are not fans of offering no-trade clauses to players.  It's apparently against their policy.  Furthermore you might know that Peavy is dead set on getting a full no-trade clause where ever he plays next.

“If you're opposed to a no-trade, you're opposed to Jake Peavy, because he's going to have a full no-trade,” Axelrod said.

I have a question for Axelrod.  Is the reverse true?  If I'm opposed to Jake Peavy, am I also opposed to no-trade clauses?