With the Padres outfielders Gwynn, Venable, (Blanks now on the DL) having a troubling start to the season, should the Padres entertain the thought of adding Jermaine Dye to contend in the NL West? The Padres do have other viable options other than Dye. What would the outfield be? Blanks, (if he returns) Venable and Dye. Or Hairston/Gwynn Jr. Venable, and Dye? That's one slow outfield that does not exactly fit Jed Hoyer's philosophy of playing Petco to an advantage, which thus far has worked out nicely. However, it could possibly benefit Adrian with protection and the Padres offensive woes. The problem is all the Padres everyday outfielders are playing poorly.

During the offseason, Dye was reported that he was negotiating on a contract with the Padres, first reported by MLB Network. Other reports were saying that they had no contact with the team and the player at all.

“San Diego was one of the places Jermaine was excited about playing,” agent Bob Bry said Tuesday. “He continues to work out every morning and hits most days and is still waiting for an opportunity with a team that has a chance to advance to the playoffs. San Diego, seemingly, would be a good fit.”

Recently  Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com. reporting three teams are now expressing interest in free agent slugger Jermaine Dye. According to Rosenthal Those clubs: the Rangers, Rockies, and Padres.

Dye unfortunately has no defensive value and I doubt he would sign to be a pinch hitter. The Padres aren't going to give him a couple million (pro-rated or not) just do be a pinch hitter. Where does that leave Salazar or Hairston if he were to sign as a platoon type player? Is he really that much of an upgrade? He was terrible offensively in the second half of last year. I just don't see it unless the youngsters; and the rest of the core players continue to be anemic offensively and the FO does not want to part with any prospects to bring in a "legit bat" to produce! I guess one of the advantages is the Padres would not have to deal any prospects and Dye could be acquired "on the chap" while possibly picking up another arm to support the Padres stellar pitching staff. It would be interesting indeed if you keep Blanks down (continuing his development/rehab) because Dye COULD be a force in contrast to such players as Denorfia/Cunningham and Durango or possibly bringing in a second-tier type player like a Nady or Kerns who have fallen off offensively as of late and cost the Padres some prospects in return. The Padres are not only in contention, but in first place in a weak division and do want to add a bat and some pitching depth. 

Oscar Salazar rakes from the right side off the bench, not to mention Scott Hairtson (another platoon/bench player who has very good career numbers in Petco). As we all know it is VERY rare for a player, any player, to thrive in Petco! It's all relative to the particular situation and frankly, Dye simply does not fit the Padres needs in terms of the Padres philosophy that Hoyer, Bud Black and Co. have been preaching - speed and defense in spacious Petco Park. In my opinion, Dye would not be a head and shoulders upgrade and would be a waste of money AND maybe more importantly, slowing the development of a young team and the young players. I would much rather give the younger players more time!

Stairs, ( just being reinstated off the DL) also has had career success off the bench from the lefts side, regardless of his OVERALL numbers or line. If Dye were signed, Stairs COULD also be the odd man out as one of the bench players. The Padres still need that late inning threat coming off the bench from the left side. I'll take 5 pinch hit HR's over the course of a year off the bench any-day. I am also not sure Dye would be as productive off the bench IF that were the scenario; usually that's a very tough job and takes a certain mentality to be successful, the type of approach Stairs possesses, regardless of his age. Dye's stats in the second half were just atrocious. Who is to say Dye wouldn't be doing what Blanks is doing in the beginning of the year struggling so badly? He certainly didn't prove anything in the second half last year AND he is not PLAYING professional baseball right now.

I think Blanks will be fine, (unless he indeed does have surgery) as with Venable. The ONLY way I could see Dye in a Padres uniform is If Blanks does have surgery and the Padres would rather add pitching depth to protect the young pitching core, such as Mat Latos, Clayton Richard, Ryan Webb, Luke Gregerson, Wade LeBlanc and the struggling Kevin Correia. Adding an arm to help support the young pitching core, furthering the development of young players in the minors (Durango/Cunningham/Blanks) in contrast to having them called upon to produce in a playoff hunt, and... giving up prospects for second-tier type player. Dye could be interesting protecting Adrian and could allow Headley to bat 3rd which could make a lot of sense. If some of the younger players (Venable, Gwynn and  Cabrera) do not get it going, it could make for a very interesting, cheap move that would not TOTALLY effect the youth movement.

I think it is vital for Blanks to develop because he is the probable successor to Adrian Gonzalez at 1B. However, it will be hard to stick with the "office building in left field" if the Padres are in contention and he is still struggling (when healthy) and Hopefully the young man gets a clean bill of health so he can get it going soon (in Portland or at the MLB level) and we do not have to look outside our system. There is no doubt Kyle has star caliber talent, but at the end of the day, it's all about production.

I like the Players we have, so get it going boys!