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Padres Press Clips Thursday, July 30, 2015

Article Source Author Page Ross, Upton lead Padres over Mets UT San Diego Lin 2 Preller doesn’t have to trade ‘under duress’ UT San Diego Lin 5 Minors: Another homer for Hunter Renfroe UT San Diego Sanders 7 Padres take charge early in win over Mets MLB.com Trezza/Woods 9 J. Upton blocks out trade noise with loud bat MLB.com Trezza 11 Decision looms about Federowicz’s fate MLB.com Trezza 13 Cashner, Padres wrap up series at Citi Field MLB.com Trezza 14 Shields foresees fruitful tenure in San Diego MLB.com Bloom 15 Kennedy’s honors include being a Feller Award finalist Padres.com Center 17 Upton, Solarte lead Padres over Mets Associated Press Rumberg 19 Padres like Cubs power prospect Javier Baez; teams have talked CBSSports.com Heyman 21 Yankees reject request for Mateo in Kimbrel talks; star closer may stay CBSSports.com Heyman 22 After wild winter, Padres brace for storm at trade deadline USAToday.com Lemire 23

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Ross, Upton lead Padres over Mets Two trade candidates leave early, but no trade imminent - for now By Dennis Lin | 7:24 p.m. July 29, 2015 | Updated, 9:05 p.m.

NEW YORK — Trade candidates Tyson Ross and Justin Upton teamed Wednesday

to lead the Padres to a 7-3 victory over the Mets, a game that was more interesting for

the players who left it than the ones who finished it.

Ross threw 83 pitches over five innings of one-run ball before reliever Kevin

Quackenbush took the mound in the sixth. Upton homered and drove in another run

before being replaced in left field to start the bottom of the eighth.

In both cases, a reasonable explanation was later provided.

Ross had been humming along in the fourth when a comebacker off the bat of the

Mets' Kirk Nieuwenhuis struck him in the right quad. The pitcher seemed mostly

unfazed as he fielded the ball and flipped it to first for the out. A team trainer and

interim manager Pat Murphy went out to the mound and left after a brief conference,

satisfied that Ross could continue.

They decided against more after Ross and catcher Austin Hedges, who threw out a

would-be base-stealer, combined to cruise through the bottom of the fifth.

"We talked to him and he said, ‘Yeah, it’s pretty stiff.’ So we wanted to be safe,"

Murphy said. "He could’ve kept going if we were in dire need, but we had a lead and

we felt comfortable."

Ross, who there 83 pitches, echoed that assessment.

"It got me pretty good in the quad, sort of tightened up on me a little bit when I was

throwing," he said. "It was just something that happens."

As for Upton, Murphy said he merely wanted to rest the left fielder in advance of

Thursday afternoon's series finale. The same went for right fielder Matt Kemp, who,

like Ross, was replaced in the field in the sixth.

"Just get them off their feet with an early day game tomorrow," Murphy said.

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A source told the Union-Tribune late Wednesday on the East Coast that there was

nothing imminent on a potential deal for either Ross or Upton, two of the more

sought-after commodities this trade season.

But this being trade season - the tail end of it, in fact - things remain extremely fluid.

The Astros, Blue Jays and Cubs are among multiple clubs interested in both Ross and

another controllable Padres starter, Andrew Cashner. Ross, who isn't eligible for free

agency until after the 2017 season, is the more attractive option for most teams,

according to rival officials.

Wednesday, a remarkable streak ended for the 6-foot-5 right-hander. Lucas Duda's

solo shot in the second snapped Ross' streak of 100 consecutive innings without

allowing a home run, trimming the Padres' lead to 4-1. The homeless streak, which

spanned 16 starts, was the longest by a major league pitcher in a single season (in

terms of both starts and innings) since the Mets' Sid Fernandez went 16 starts and 111

innings in 1992.

"I think things like that happen when you’re throwing the ball well," said Ross, who

issued four walks but limited the damage, allowing only two hits and striking out five.

"I’ve kind of picked it up as of late. I’m just comfortable out there and just trying to

execute pitches."

After Ross' exit, Duda went deep two more times, providing all of the Mets' offense

and bringing his two-day total to four home runs.

Upton led off the third against Mets starter Bartolo Colon with his second home run

in three games, a positive sign for a power hitter who's slumped badly since early

June. Padres first baseman Yonder Alonso made it back-to-back homers, stretching

the lead to five runs.

"It’s always good to get results," Upton said. "I can’t predict the future, but I’ll come in

here tomorrow and work the same way I did today and previous days and try to get

myself back to a better position."

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Asked what he meant by "predict the future," Upton said, "I’m referring to whether

I’m going to get any hits tomorrow or not."

Then he laughed and added, "I can’t predict that, man. All I can do is work and go out

there and have good at-bats."

Though his power is undeniable, the Padres, as of late Wednesday, had yet to receive

what they believed to be a satisfactory offer for Upton. The demand for the three-time

All-Star has been limited by both his recent struggles and his status as an impending

free agent. Some in the industry believe that the Padres might hold on to Upton and

accept a compensatory draft pick when he hits the open market.

Either way, a reckoning will arrive by Friday afternoon's deadline. The Padres (48-53)

have one game left.

"You just have to focus on what’s going on between the lines," Ross said. "I can’t really

control anything else. That’s all I’m focused on, is pitching and getting outs.

"It’s just part of baseball, players get moved. But our focus is on the game. We have

another game tomorrow, a chance to win the series. That’s what’s important."

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Preller doesn't have to trade 'under duress' Mike Dee says no mandate from ownership to shed payroll around trade deadline By Dennis Lin | 4:28 p.m. July 29, 2015

NEW YORK — A little more than 48 hours before the trade deadline, Padres

President and CEO Mike Dee said General Manager A.J. Preller was not "under

duress" to make deals.

"There has been no mandate from ownership to shed payroll or get under a certain

financial bar around the trade deadline," Dee said Wednesday morning in an

interview on 1090-AM. "A.J. doesn’t have to make deals under duress. He’s really

looking at ways he can improve this club for this year, for next year, for the near

future, and including the longer-term.

"If there is a six- or seven-prospect deal for a couple of our veteran guys, it’s

something that we would consider as well. It’s really about balancing the value that

you get back in return for the quality that we have, and we believe we have quality

players."

According to an ESPN.com report Wednesday morning, teams speaking with the

Padres believed the club was "about to get 'super-active'" and was positioning itself to

make a "huge deal."

That certainly would jive with what Preller accomplished in the winter, though several

months and many losses later, the situation could be viewed as quite different. At the

time, the Padres, coming off a dreadfully dull season, were looking to make a splash.

Now, the internal message is a bit heavier on patience.

It seems likely that most of the team's impending free agents will be moved by

Friday's deadline, but sources have told the Union-Tribune the Padres are seeking

"substantive" value in potential trades. Padres starters James Shields, Tyson Ross and

Andrew Cashner and closer Craig Kimbrel - all under contract or control beyond 2015

- have been popular subjects in trade discussions with other teams.

"We like the core group of guys that we have," Dee said. "This was a group that we

committed to not just for 2015, but most of these guys are under contract for 2016 and

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in some cases beyond that. We’ll look at ways to put the appropriate pieces and

address the areas where we need to improve around that group, if we don’t make any

moves in the next few days. And I think we’re very comfortable with that outcome if

that’s the way things shake out here over the next 48 hours.

"This is not a stress sale situation. ... We’re all disappointed in the way this season has

played out, but we believe we’re close, we believe that if we address some of the areas

to improve the team either in the next few days or over the offseason, we’ll come back

and re-arm and take another run at it next year, if that’s the way this goes."

A little less than 48 hours before the trade deadline, Padres interim manager Pat

Murphy was asked if he thought major moves were on the horizon.

"God’s honest truth, I got no idea," Murphy said. "I’m privileged enough to be in some

conversations, but there’s no telling how it will all come down.

"I don’t think there’s any urgency to get rid of anyone. I think there’s opportunities to

make the organization stronger, and if those opportunities make sense, I think they’ll

probably pull the trigger on something."

Notable

• Padres centerfield prospect Travis Jankowski returned to Triple-A El Paso's

lineup after missing the last two games due to a mild hip strain. It's worth

noting that Jankowski, one of the Padres' fastest-rising prospects, hadn't had a

break since he played for Team USA in the Pan Am Games earlier this month.

• Padres broadcaster Eduardo Ortega, the club's Spanish-language voice, emceed

a second ceremony honoring new Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez at Fenway Park

on Wednesday night. The Red Sox retired Martinez's No. 45 on Tuesday.

Wednesday's ceremony was conducted in Spanish. Ortega, one of the most

highly regarded Spanish-language broadcasters in sports, has broadcast 16 All-

Star Games, 20 World Series and five no-hitters.

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Minors: Another homer for Hunter Renfroe Recapping the latest action from around the Padres' farm system By Jeff Sanders | 6 a.m. July 30, 2015

Hunter Renfroe's second-half surge continues.

A day after he tumbled 37 spots in MLB.com's latest top-100, Renfroe hit his 13th

homer of the season in Double-A San Antonio's 7-6 loss to Corpus Christi on

Wednesday.

Renfroe (.268) is hitting .330/.367/.590 in 27 games since the All-Star break. Six of

his 1 homers have come in that stretch.

Yeison Asencio (.283) hit his 10th homer and drove in three runs on two hits and

Benji Gonzalez (.267), Duanel Jones (.263) and Diego Goris (.263) all had two hits.

Right-hander James Needy (4-1, 2.97) allowed seven runs (four earned) in 7 1/3

innings for the Missions (43-60)

TRIPLE-A EL PASO (54-50)

• Tacoma 5, Chihuahuas 1: RHP Colin Rea (2-1, 4.58) allowed two runs (one

earned) in three innings. 3B Will Middlebrooks (.379) went 3-for-5 with an RBI,

CF Travis Jankowski (.542) went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk and a run scored

and DH Tim Federowicz (.200) went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk.

HIGH SINGLE-A LAKE ELSINORE (39-63)

• Inland Empire 5, Storm 3: RHP Ernesto Montas (0-1, 6.00) allowed five runs

(two earned) in four innings. 3B Chase Jensen (.276) hit his fourth homer and

drove in two runs and DH Nick Schulz (.243) and SS Felipe Blanco (.237) each

had two hits.

LOW SINGLE-A FORT WAYNE (50-51)

• TinCaps 14, Dayton 1: RHP Chris Huffman (5-6, 3.52) struck out three and

allowed a run on six hits and a walk in seven innings. RF Franmil Reyes (.236)

hit his sixth homer and drove in five runs, 3B Luis Tejada (.328) hit his second

homer and drove in two runs on three hits and 1B Trae Santos (.257) went 5-

for-5 with three RBIs, two doubles and his eighth homer.

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SHORT-SEASON TRI-CITY (23-18)

• Hillsboro 5, Dust Devils 4: 1B Ty France (.307) went 3-for-3 with an RBI, two

walks and a run scored. RHP Walker Lockett (2.66) struck out four and allowed

an unearned run on three hits in four innings.

ROOKIE DSL PADRES (22-29)

• D-backs 4, Padres 2: CF Angel Santos (.272) and LF Ariel Ortega (.339) each

had two hits. RHP Emmanuel Clase (2.13) struck out six and allowed three runs

(two earned) in 3 1/3 innings in relief.

ROOKIE AZL PADRES (14-17)

• Padres 7, Indians 2: RHP Joel Linares (3-1, 3.21) struck out eight and allowed a

run in five innings. 1B Brad Zunica (.250) drove in two runs on two hits,

including a double, and RF Alan Garcia (.393) drove in a run on two hits.

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Padres take charge early in win over Mets By Joe Trezza and Alden Woods / MLB.com | 2:22 AM ET NEW YORK -- The Padres got to Mets starter Bartolo Colon early, putting up six runs in the first three

innings and chasing him after just 2 1/3 innings. That would prove to be more than enough, as Tyson Ross and the San Diego bullpen cruised the rest of the way to a 7-3 win.

The Padres' early runs came in pairs. A Matt Kemp single and Justin Upton's sacrifice fly scored two in

the first inning, singles from Will Venable and Yangervis Solarte plated two in the second and home

runs from Upton and Yonder Alonsosent home two in the third. Upton added an insurance run with an

RBI single in the sixth inning. Lucas Duda was responsible for the Mets' offense with a trio of solo home

runs.

"You can't ask those guys -- and we have asked Kemp and Upton -- to provide all the wins for us lately,"

Padres interim manager Pat Murphy said. "It's great to see those guys performing, Alonso and all those

guys are coming through. It's a great team win."

Ross picked up his seventh win of the season, allowing one run over five innings, as the Padres evened

this three-game midweek series. Colon fell to 9-10, allowing six or more runs in three innings or fewer for

the eighth time in his 18-year career.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Upton unloads: The subject of trade rumors at various points in his career, Upton enjoys playing this

time of year because on the field he can just focus on baseball. His blast in the third inning cleared the

Citi Field Party Deck in left-center. His removal from the game in the bottom of the eighth, when he had

three RBIs, sparked initial curiosity, but was merely the result of the score.

"I wanted to rest some legs," Murphy said, "and give you guys something to think about."

Duda powers up: After a two-month slump that saw his batting average fall from .305 on May 27 to .236

entering Wednesday's game, Duda has regained his power stroke. He looped a home run to right field in

the second inning, added a line-drive homer in the sixth and finished it off with a no-doubt shot in the

bottom of the ninth. He's gone deep six times in his last four games as he continues to progress out of

that slump.

"I've just been seeing the ball much better than I have in the past," Duda said. "It's just one of those

days."

Ross rights the ship: The sought-after Ross won for just the second time in six starts in what served as

a showcase. The control issues of the past did not elude him, as he walked four, but he wiggled out of

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jams in the fourth and fifth. Ross was pulled with 83 pitches, as his quad stiffened up after a Kirk Nieuwenhuiscomebacker struck him in the leg in the fourth. The injury isn't serious.

"I told [Murphy] I could still go, but we had a well-rested bullpen," Ross said. Wilmer says goodbye, but stays: The final few innings were emotional for Mets shortstop Wilmer Flores, who wiped back tears with his glove as his time in New York worked toward what seemed at the time to be an apparent end. He and pitcherZack Wheeler were reportedly traded midgame to Milwaukee in exchange forCarlos Gomez, according to a source, but the trade fell apart.

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS

Duda's first homer, in the second inning, was the first given up by Ross in 100 innings, a stretch

spanning 16 starts. Ross had been the first pitcher to have 16 straight homerless starts within the same

season since Sid Fernandez did for the Mets from June to September 1992.

Duda became the second Met in the franchise's 53 years to hit three home runs in a home game. The

first? Nieuwenhuis, all of 17 days ago.

WHAT'S NEXT

Padres: Andrew Cashner is scheduled to start as the Padres complete this three-game series in New

York with an early start on Thursday, at 9:10 a.m. PT at Citi Field. The subject of an abundance of

rumors, Cashner (4-10, 3.93 ERA) expects to be dealt before Friday's non-waiver Trade Deadline.

Mets: The Mets will send Jon Niese (5-9, 3.75 ERA) to the mound for the series decider at 12:10 p.m.

ET on Thursday. He returned from paternity leave on Tuesday after the birth of his second child.

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J. Upton blocks out trade noise with loud bat By Joe Trezza / MLB.com | 1:11 AM ET NEW YORK -- Justin Upton doesn't love coming to the ballpark this time of year, but he does love

playing. When he's standing in the batter's box, he isn't asked about where he is or where he ought to

be, who wants him and who doesn't, or how much money he's set to make in the offseason.

In the box there's just the noise Upton makes with his bat, like the sound of his solo homer in the third

inning and of his RBI single in the sixth as it shot through the infield. Both were integral in San Diego's 7-3 win over the Mets on Wednesday, during which Upton drove in three runs amid the types of trade

rumors that have followed him his entire career.

Interim manager Pat Murphy even joked that he removed Upton in the eighth inning to "give you

[reporters] something to think about," although it was simply to rest his player with the score in the

Padres' favor.

"We're out there trying to win a ballgame," said Upton, who hit his 17th homer and recorded RBI No. 53.

"We jumped out early. These games are fun."

Upton remains at the epicenter of the swirling storm of trade speculation that, at least for a night,

appeared to drift away from the Padres and across the field. It was the Mets swamped in rumors on

Wednesday in what became a bizarre situation involving New York shortstop Wilmer Flores and rumors

of Milwaukee center fielderCarlos Gomez.

For much of the past week or so, such speculation (albeit on a smaller, less emotional scale) surrounded

Padres starter Tyson Ross as well. Ross was spotted an early five-run lead on Wednesday and earned

his seventh win by fighting through control and physical issues in what very well could have been a

showcase outing.

The National League leader in walks allowed four but held New York to two hits and one run over five

innings. He struck out five before leaving with a stiff right quad, an injury sustained in the fourth inning

when he was struck by a Kirk Nieuwenhuis line drive.

The injury is not considered serious, nor is it expected to affect Ross' availability for his next start, for

whichever team he's playing.

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"He could have kept going if we were in dire need," Murphy said. "But we had a lead, and we felt

comfortable."

Ross has been traded once before, from Oakland to San Diego in 2012. Upton has been traded twice.

Both understand the whirlwind the non-waiver Trade Deadline can be, when play on the field almost feels

secondary. It's a strange place to be for a team that's won four of five and could be hitting its stride.

As Ross put it: "It's an interesting time."

"I can't predict the future," Upton said, adding, "I mean, if I'm going to get any hits tomorrow."

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Decision looms about Federowicz's fate By Joe Trezza / MLB.com | July 29th, 2015 NEW YORK -- As if there weren't enough on the horizon over the next two days, the Padres have an internal roster decision looming regarding their catching situation.

Backup catcher Tim Federowicz is set to complete his rehab assignment at Triple-A El Paso by Friday, by which time San Diego must decide whether or not to activate him. He is out of Minor League options. But that decision is contingent on many variables associated with the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline. At least seven Padres are rumored to be on the trading block, with Federowicz and/or current backup Austin Hedges qualifying as possible chips that could be packaged in such moves.

"We have no idea what's going to happen in the next 48 hours," interim manager Pat Murphy said. "The next 48 hours could create a lot of different things, so I would be speculating. I know the organization likes Tim a lot." Acquired in the deal that brought Matt Kemp from the Dodgers in December, Federowicz entered the spring slated to serve as Derek Norris' primary backup. But he tore the meniscus in his right knee in March, forcing San Diego to lean heavily on Norris, who ranks second in the National League in games played, with 86.

At that time, Federowicz's injury appeared to create an opportunity for Hedges, but he has struggled in limited duty, hitting just .148 in 54 at-bats since his promotion on May 3.

When Hedges was slotted into the lineup on Wednesday as the Padres continued a three-game set against the Mets at Citi Field, it was just the 17th time he'd started in almost three months.

"I think he's crawling out of his shell and coming into his own as much as a rookie catcher can," Murphy said. "Hedges needs to play more. Derek has caught a lot of games, and Hedges needs to play more."

Federowicz went 12-for-53 over 15 games across two Minor League levels. He's a .194 hitter in 247 Major League at-bats, and is known more for his defense.

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Cashner, Padres wrap up series at Citi Field By Joe Trezza / MLB.com | 2:17 AM ET If anything is guaranteed on Thursday at Citi Field -- and this time of year, apparently nothing is -- it's that the Mets and Padres will conclude their three-game series.

Expect starters Jon Niese (5-9, 3.75 ERA) and Andrew Cashner (4-10, 3.93 ERA) to be in control after Wednesday's late, humid, emotional, whirlwind night, when New York's trade for Brewers center fielder Carlos Gomez fell through.

Trade winds have been blowing over Flushing since the arrival of the Padres, who have at least six or seven of their own major pieces on the block, but they intensified into a storm on Wednesday over New York's dugout, where Wilmer Flores teared up upon hearing the news, just to have general manager Sandy Alderson proclaim postgame that he isn't going anywhere.

Thursday's tilt constitutes an important game for both clubs. The Padres have won four of five and the Mets sit just two games behind the first-place Nationals, who will visit Queens for three games this weekend. Three things to know about this game

• The subject of trade rumors himself, Cashner expects to be dealt before Friday's 4 p.m. ET non-waiver Trade Deadline. He can help a team looking for a young, durable arm at a reasonable price, and he won't be eligible for free agency until 2017.

• Mets manager Terry Collins implemented a performance policy this week for his revamped roster: If you hit, you play. Well, newly acquired Juan Uribe has a hit in all three games he's played since being acquired from the Braves, and he's also a .348 lifetime hitter against Cashner in 23 at-bats. Expect him in the lineup on Thursday.

• After going 2-for-5 on Wednesday, Padres first baseman Yonder Alonso has a 12-game hitting streak against New York. That's the longest active hitting streak of any player against the Mets. Alonso is a lifetime .345 hitter against the Mets in 26 games, compared with his .273 career average.

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Shields foresees fruitful tenure in San Diego Though club may reload by Friday's Deadline, righty envisions bright future By Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com | @boomskie | July 29th, 2015 NEW YORK -- Padres general manager A.J. Preller may prove James Shieldswrong by Friday's 1 p.m.

PT non-waiver Trade Deadline, but the big right-hander doesn't believe he's going anywhere.

"As far as I'm concerned, I think I'm going to be here for a while," Shields said after he started Tuesday

night's 4-0 loss to the Mets at Citi Field. "That's why I signed up to be a Padre, not only to win now, but to

win in the next four years. I think we're on the right track. We've just got to keep rolling."

The Padres finished an offseason of changes by signing Shields on Feb. 11 to a four-year deal worth

$75 million. The contract includes a $16 million club option and a $2 million buyout for 2019. Shields

doesn't have a no-trade clause, but he can opt out of the contract after the 2016 season.

The Padres have been shopping free agents-to-be Justin Upton, Joaquin Benoitand Ian Kennedy, but

the reason Shields' name has been tossed around in trade rumors is because his contract accelerates

from $10 million this season to $21 million per year for the next three seasons.

But it doesn't seem likely Shields will be among those Padres traded by the Deadline.

"I don't think there's any urgency to get rid of anyone," Padres manager Pat Murphy said on Wednesday.

"If there's an opportunity to make the organization stronger and if one of those opportunities make sense,

they'll probably pull the trigger on some things."

About trading Shields, Murphy added: "I think the only way the organization would consider anything like

that if it's an A-1 deal with great prospects coming, the top three or four."

Shields is 8-4 with 3.77 ERA in 22 starts after allowing three runs on seven hits with no walks and four

strikeouts in his seven-inning start on Tuesday. He opened the season 7-1 but has won only once since

June 3, a span of 10 starts.

In talking with MLB.com, Shields discussed the team, the future and his own status.

MLB.com: With the Trade Deadline coming up, was that on your mind when you were on the mound on Tuesday

night with your named being bounced around in rumors?

Shields: I thought I pitched pretty well, so no.

MLB.com: What do you think about this Deadline and where do you think the Padres could be in a year or two?

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Shields: To be honest with you, I'm not really worried about it. I'm just worried about winning ballgames. That's

what the front office is there for. It's their job to worry about it.

MLB.com: The Padres have played better since the All-Star break, and you were on a Rays team that came back

in 2011 to make the playoffs. What is it going to take for the Padres to do the same thing?

Shields: Win more games. That's it. You look at September -- we've got to face the Dodgers seven more times,

we've got to face the Giants six more times. There are a lot of ballgames to play. Obviously, we want to put

ourselves in a good position going into August. We were 10 1/2 games back [on Sept. 6] when I was with the Rays

and wound up going to the playoffs. Anything can happen. That's the beauty of this game. We just have to remain

consistent in the second half and play really good baseball.

MLB.com: Do you still believe this is a good team?

Shields: Absolutely. We're starting to hit the ball a little bit, and I think we've been pitching really well for the past

two months. If we continue that, we're going to be just fine.

MLB.com: So how do you assess the whole season?

Shields: It's a game of inches. That's it. We went through a stretch right before the break when we lost five games

by two runs or less, four by a run. We were losing games that we could have won. The Joc Pederson catch at the

end of the extra-inning game against the Dodgers [on June 14] that robbed Justin Upton of the game-winning hit --

that was just one of them. There were a lot of others.

MLB.com: Joe Torre once said that when a team makes even one major change, it takes months to develop its

character and chemistry. And you guys made a lot of them.

Shields: Oh, absolutely. When I got traded over to Kansas City [in December 2012], it took us a year and a half. I

think we were two games over .500 going into the break last year, and we ended up losing to the Giants on the last

pitch of the World Series. Like I said, it takes a while. I think we're on the right track, and we've got to keep things

positive in this clubhouse.

MLB.com: Do you think the expectations coming out of Spring Training were a little bit unrealistic? Even more so

after you guys opened 10-5?

Shields: I don't think they were unrealistic just because of the fact that we had a lot of veterans. But the bottom line

is you've got to put it together. We haven't done that so far this season. It seems like we're starting to do that right

now.

MLB.com: Considering it all, perhaps the last thing management should do is tear the team apart at this point,

don't you think?

Shields: Look, I don't know about all of that. I'm here to win ballgames and pitch every five days. Like I said, I like

the guys in this clubhouse.

MLB.com: And you're from L.A. You have a house in San Diego County. Are you still happy you signed with the

Padres?

Shields: Of course, I am. I love San Diego. So that part of it has worked out. It worked out great. I wouldn't want to

be anywhere else except San Diego.

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Kennedy's honors include being a Feller Award finalist Act of Valor awards named for Feller, Coleman By Bill Center / San Diego Padres | July 29th, 2015

Everyone remotely interested in baseball has heard of the Most Valuable Player and Cy Young awards.

They annualy go to the best of the best in the game.

But there are other less heralded awards that have always touched me almost as much as the major

awards have.

Padres catcher Derek Norris was recently named the Padres nominee for the 2015 Heart and Hustle

Award.

Never heard of it?

Well, it is presented annually by the Major Leagues Players Alumni Association. The winner is the player

whom former players believe plays the game -- and represents the game -- the right way, on and off the

field.

In my mind, for Norris to be named one of the finalists is quite a tribute to the Padres' catcher. Men who

have played the game are saying, "Derek, we see and appreciate how you go about your business."

Which brings me to the nominations of another award announced Monday, plus the creation of the Jerry

Coleman Award. Both are presented by the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation.

Of course, you know of Jerry Coleman. If you don't, you should at least know Bob Feller.

As a pitcher, Feller is in the Hall of Fame. He won 266 games in his career. He debuted in the Major

Leagues with the Cleveland Indians. He won a career-high 27 games in 1940 after becoming the only

pitcher in Major League history to throw a no-hitter on Opening Day. By the way, he was 22 when that

happened.

Feller was the first pitcher to throw three no-hitters in his career. Feller was the first pitcher to have 18

strikeouts in a game in the live-ball era. Early methods of tracking fastballs tabbed Feller's velocity

between 99 and 104 mph. One reading clocked a Feller pitch at 105.7 mph.

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Ted Williams once said of Feller: "He's the fastest and best pitcher I ever saw during my career."

Feller's numbers could have been much greater had he not lost seasons to military service in World War

II. But that's not the real story. On Dec. 9, 1941, Feller became the first American professional athlete to

enlist for military duty after Pearl Harbor. He served as a gun captain on the battleship USS Alabama.

The Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation annually honors a current Major League player, a Hall of Famer

and a non-commissioned Naval officer who displays the values, integrity and dedication to serving his

country that Bob Feller demonstrated.

Padres pitcher Ian Kennedy is one of 15 finalists for the 2015 Bob Feller Act of Valor Award.

Kennedy and his wife, Allison, have long been involved in programs supporting military families and

charities. Last season, Kennedy was named the recipient of the Padres Chairman's Award for

community service.

Also, for the first time this year, the Jerry Coleman Award will honor a non-commissioned Marine Corps

Officer displaying the same values. Coleman, a decorated Marine Corps pilot with 120 combined

missions, was the only Major League player to see combat in two wars (World War II and the Korean

War).

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Upton, Solarte lead Padres over Mets HOWIE RUMBERG AP JUL 30, 2015 12:17a ET

NEW YORK (AP) -- Justin Upton homered and drove in three runs and Yonder Alonso also connected as the San Diego Padresbeat the New York Mets 7-3 on Wednesday night despite three long balls from Lucas Duda. Duda hit the first of his home runs leading off the second to endTyson Ross' streak of starts without allowing one at 16, a Padres record. Ross (7-8) hadn't given up a homer since April 28, a span of 100 innings. Duda also connected in the sixth off Kevin Quackenbush and in the ninth off Marcos Mateo. Duda has six homers in the last four games after going through an extended slump. As rumors spread throughout Citi Field that the Mets have acquired outfielder Carlos Gomez from Milwaukee in a trade that would possibly include infielder Wilmer Flores, fans gave the rookie shortstop a standing ovation when he came to bat in the seventh inning. Flores wiped away tears when he warmed up at shortstop before the eighth. Matt Kemp, Yangervis Solarte and Will Venable all drove in early runs as San Diego chased Bartolo Colon(9-10) after only 2 1-3 innings, his shortest start since 2012. Solarte doubled twice and matched a career high with four hits as the Padres won for the seventh time in 11 games since the All-Star break. The Mets had their three-game winning streak snapped. They fell two games behind Washington in the NL East. Mentioned along with several teammates in numerous rumors ahead of Friday's non-waiver trade deadline, Upton had a sacrifice fly in the first inning after the first three Padres singled off Colon for a 2-0 lead. Venable and Solarte had RBI hits in the second, and Upton and Alonso led off the third with consecutive homers to make it 6-1. Upton added a run-scoring single in the sixth.

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After an age-defying start to the season, Colon has seriously cooled off. A week after his 42nd birthday on May 24, Colon beat the Phillies to improve to 8-3. He's only won once more, on June 12, and has lost six straight decisions. He yielded six runs and 10 hits on Wednesday. Ross allowed a run and two hits. He walked four and struck out five. TRAINER'S ROOM Padres: C Tim Federowicz (right knee surgery) is nearing the end of his rehab assignment, but manager Pat Murphy said he didn't know what the plan was for the catcher because so much was up in the air with Friday's non-waiver trade deadline looming. Federowicz is out of minor league options. Mets: Travis d'Arnaud went 1 for 4 and caught nine innings Tuesday night in a rehab start for Double-A Binghamton. He's 5 for 15 in four games with Binghamton. Manager Terry Collins expects d'Arnaud back this weekend for a series against Washington. UP NEXT Padres: RHP Andrew Cashner (4-10) is set to start while trade rumors swirl ahead of the trade deadline. He has gone at least seven innings in three of his last four outings. Mets: LHP Jonathon Niese left his start Friday after just three innings to fly home to be with his wife after the birth of his son. Niese gave up six runs and watched the delivery on FaceTime. His 2.04 ERA in five starts against the Padres is his best against any opponent.

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Padres like Cubs power prospect Javier Baez; teams have talked July 29, 2015 1:52 pm ET The Padres, looking for shortstop, infielders, lefty bats and young controllable pieces while soliciting offers for just about anyone, have talked to the Padres about slugging prospectJavier Baez.

There's potential for a match with the Padres, and the sides have had discussions in recent days. Pitcher Andrew Cashner, as a former Cub, is one guy who could fit them. Cubs GM Jed Hoyer had Cashner when he was in San Diego but traded him when he got to Chicago in a deal for Anthony Rizzo.

The Padres have received offers for both Cashner and Tyson Ross, and Ross in particular is extremely popular.

The Cubs have so many excellent prospects that Baez could be an odd man out for them. He's had a rough year personally as he suffered the loss of his beloved sister, and he's had injuries, as well, though he recently returned and is showing he's healthy with two home runs last night.

Baez came up to the majors last year and showed terrific power but also a propensity to strike out.

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Yankees reject request for Mateo in Kimbrel talks; star closer may stay July 29, 2015 2:04 pm ET The Yankees have rebuffed the Padres' request of top shortstop prospect Jorge Mateo in trade talks involving Craig Kimbrel, diminishing the chances for a Kimbrel deal.

The Padres actually viewed the Nationals as the best possibility for a potential Kimbrel deal, but the Nats filled their relief interest by obtaining six-time All-Star Jonathan Papelbon, and someone with knowledge of their thinking suggested there's a good chance they hold onto Kimbrel, who they see as a key to their core and like very much.

The Blue Jays and Astros are among other teams that have talked about Kimbrel, but there isn't a sense anything's imminent with anyone.

The Yankees are willing to pay Kimbrel's entire contract, which would guarantee $28 million through 2017, but the Padres seem to be seeking big young players in any return. San Diego is saying its goal isn't just to dump money, despite a high (for them) $110-million payroll.

The Yankees, however, have been steadfast in their resolve not to surrender any of their top four prospects: Mateo plus pitcher Luis Severino, outfielder Aaron Judge and first baseman Greg Bird.

The Yankees don't mind the idea of a super bullpen, though with Dellin Betances andAndrew Miller in the pen, it's hard to see a reliever as a necessity.

Kimbrel, 27, is 1-2 with a 2.75 ERA and 29 saves in 30 opportunities.

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After wild winter, Padres brace for storm at trade deadline Joe Lemire, Special for USA TODAY Sports2:14 p.m. EDT July 29, 2015 NEW YORK - Padres starter Ian Kennedy has been checking his phone constantly for news in advance of his next scheduled start, which — if he makes it — is Friday, July 31.

What separates him from his teammates is that his interest isn’t in the trade deadline: Friday is also his wife’s due date for their fourth baby girl.

“That’s on the back burner,” Kennedy, a free-agent-to-be, said of trade rumors.

San Diego, which hasn’t been in the postseason since 2006 nor had a winning record since 2010, dominated the Hot Stove headlines last winter under new general manager A.J. Preller by acquiring outfielders Matt Kemp,Justin Upton and Wil Myers, starter James Shields and closer Craig Kimbrel.

Despite the flurry of activity, the Padres entered play on Wednesday with a 47-53 record that positioned them 8 1/2 games behind the NL West-leading Dodgers and eight games behind the Giants for the second wild card.

As a result, there’s an industry-wide expectation that Preller may be significantly active again.

In the clubhouse, however, the players only recited a series of platitudes — not worrying about what they cannot control, focusing on the game at hand, etc.

“Our goal is to win tonight,” Upton said. “At the end of this series and on Friday, that decision is A.J. Preller’s.”

“We’re not bracing for anything,” second baseman Jedd Gyorko said. “We’re just trying to win games. I don’t think the mood has changed or anything like that.”

The Padres have five players entering free agency: Upton, Kennedy, center fielder Will Venable and relievers Shawn Kelley and Brandon Morrow. (Venable is in a similar boat as Kennedy; his wife is due with a child a couple weeks after the deadline.)

Preller’s imaginative dealings last offseason, however — which included accepting outfielder Melvin Upton Jr.’s large contract in order to trade for Kimbrel — have inspired all manner of predictions of what will happen next, up to and including trading not only Shields, who is in the first season of a four-year free-agent deal, as well as younger starters Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross, who are both under team control through at least next season.

“As far as I’m concerned, I’m going to be here for a while,” Shields said. “That’s why I signed up to be a Padre — to not only win now but win in the next four years.”

Shields was on a Rays team that made up a nine-game deficit on Sept. 3 to claim a playoff berth in 2011, so he knows that winning now is not impossible, albeit unlikely.

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But Shields presents the quandary facing Preller: whether to hold course and hope for the best, given the 13 remaining games against the Dodgers and Giants; to rampantly rebuild the major league roster; or to sell in a way that improves the Padres for next season.

That third route was popular around the league last season, when the Red Sox made separate trades of pitchers Jon Lester and John Lackey for three current major leaguers in Allen Craig, Joe Kelly and Yoenis Cespedes, or when the Rays dealt ace David Price for a package that included two big leaguers in Drew Smyly and Nick Franklin. The Padres retain not only Cashner, Kemp, Kimbrel, Ross and Shields but also Myers, catcher Derek Norris and first baseman Yonder Alonso for 2016 and well beyond for some of them.

As Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos said on Tuesday regarding his club’s trade for star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, “This isn’t a July move — this was when we could get him. For the short and the long term.”

Finding that balance is, of course, a challenge but probably attractive for Preller, a new GM charged with ending a playoff drought in San Diego.

That likely means at least trading the players who will be rentals through the end of the season. For Upton and Kennedy especially, such trade talk is wearying. Kennedy, a former 21-game winner who is 6-9 with a 4.58 ERA this year, has been traded twice and endured three consecutive seasons of speculation, so now he says, “I’m not really fazed by any of the trade talks.”

Upton, who leads the Padres with 16 home runs and a .752 on-base plus slugging, has also been dealt twice by the time he turned 27 — an unusual career trajectory for a huge talent formerly drafted No. 1 overall. He’s among the best available hitters on the market and due for a huge payday this offseason. For now, he says he finds refuge in left field and the batter’s box where he can block out the distractions.

“I think everybody’s human,” Upton said. “You hear your name being tossed around. Your hear what teams are interested. But you have to focus your energy on being professional and going out and playing the game every night to help your team win.”

With experience at least, he said, “Obviously it gets easier.”