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“The Padres-The Day After”

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The team may have been 11-games under .500, but there was laughing, joking, story telling, players talking about the trading deadline.

The Latin music was blaring thanks to Yangervais Solarte’s boom box

There was reliever Brad Hand sitting in his locker stall, talking to the media. relieved, he had not been traded.

He admitted it was a strange Monday.

“I had 1-conversation with AJ Preller leading into the deadline”
“I was at the beach at 1pm when the deadline came and went”
“Yes I was checking my smart phone, but no calls ever came”
“My wife wanted to know what we were going to do if I was traded”
“I’ve never felt any pressure about the potential of a trade”
“Yes it was weird yesterday”
“Nice to be part of the future here”
“I’ll pitch whatever role they want going forward”

Manager Andy Green had lots to say to the media about Monday.

“”I was with the front office all day watching, waiting”
“We wanted impact talent if the trade was to go thru”
“AJ got close a couple of times but it was never enough”
“He held true to what he was looking for-impact talent”
“Now we can look forward to maybe extending his contract”
“I texted Brad right at 1pm-to tell him we’re glad he is here”
“Brad is so even keeled..clubhouse-mound-deadline day”
“Nothing rattles him”
“He can close, he might pitch in the 8th against left-handed hitters”
“Brad is flexible in what we ask him to do”

So for one day on Tuesday…everyone was relieved the reliever was not dealt.

There may be other deals coming via waiver transactions, but it appears the Padres are keeping their closer, as they try to close this season after a winning July, hoping they can post winning months in August and September.

Could they finish at .500?.

It would be better than losing 100-games, better than dealing away another veteran player who produces.

Brad Hand would like to stay and help this team grow. He got thru trading deadline day, and that’s a start.

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