Author: Greg Pomes
The Padres former General Manager Kevin Towers spoke with Bill Madden of the Daily News saying that the Padres will eventually trade their star first baseman sooner rather than lately. The Padres are in financial trouble right now, especially with the bad economy. Their TV package only generates 2 million for them annually and they owe close to 20 million dollars due to the new stadium they built. The Padres cannot have more than a 40 million dollar payroll at this time and for the next few seasons.
Gonzalez is 27 years old and left handed. He is a career .281 hitter, with a gold glove to match his bat. Gonzalez would also be a solid and cheap pickup as far a money goes as he is slated to make 4.75 million in 2010 and whatever team he will be on will have an option for 5.5 million in 2011, 2012 he would become a free agent. Now we know that the Mets have a hole to fill at first base as Murphy just is not an everyday player at that position and the Mets have Ike Davis who needs at least 1 more season in AAA before making the jump to the show, perhaps Davis will stay at the minors for another year while Gonzalez plays first for the Mets.
Unfortunately for the Mets Gonzalez will most likely cost them Ike Davis and several other prospects, I'm thinking Mejia as well. It's a tough call to make as Ike Davis seems like he's the real deal, look at his progression this year in the minors, his performance in both the World Cup and currently in the Arizona Fall League. We all like to play GM and think we could do a better job than the GM's of the teams we root for but this is one situation where I wouldn't want the job as I would love to have Gonzalez playing for my team the next 2 years but I don't want to lose Ike Davis.
Do you go for the win now by trading Ike Davis for Gonzalez or do you save Ike Davis for the future?

