The MRI taken Tuesday on Casey Kelly’s right elbow showed no structural damage according to Padre team physician Dr. Heinz Hoenecke. But there is inflammation in the elbow and Padres manager said Kelly would be shut down for two or three weeks before he resumes throwing.(The San Diego Union-Tribune)

I’m sure Padres management and fans are all breathing a huge sigh of relief as Kelly was one of the center pieces of the Adrian Gonzalez trade with the Boston Red Sox.

“If I don’t have a multi-year deal and they offer me arbitration, I will accept arbitration,” Bell said. “My wife (Nicole) and I talked about all the scenarios last night.

“There is no downside to me accepting arbitration and the family staying in San Diego for at least another year. My kids love it here. My family is happy here. And I’m in a position where I can make some decisions right now.

“The ball is in my court. I want to stay in San Diego. And I want to win here.” (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Talk like this really puts the Padres in a tough spot. If they received nothing at the deadline for him then they surely figured they’d just offer arbitration and they’d get two draft picks in return. Unfortunately for them he really likes the city of San Diego.

Most players offered arbitration, especially the ones of Bell’s caliber, choose free agency. They go for that big pay day. Bell thou, as you’ve read, doesn’t want a change of scenery. It sounds like he genuinely does love being a Padre.

So with him saying he’ll accept arbitration how will that effect the team?

Bell currently makes $7.5 million, in arbitration then he’d easily receive a one year deal worth $10 million. With him being one of the best closers in the game there’s a chance the arbitrator gives him even more then that.

For a young team like the Padres who aren’t close to competing that’s a steep salary for any one player, especially a closer. If they weren’t willing to give an everyday player like Adrian Gonzalez $15 million, I can’t see them giving a closer $10 million, even for one year.

So what do they do? They’ve got two options.

1.) Bell is willing to stay at a reduced rate but long term. The Padres are open to reduced rate and long term but only if the latter years have options included.

“If they offered me three years at $27 million, we’d talk,” said Bell. “If they offered me three years at $30 million, I would really have to consider it. Maybe I could get an All-Star bonus. I’d like that.”(San Diego Union-Tribune)

2.) Don’t offer arbitration and hope that no one is willing to pay him. This is obviously the worst option as the Padres would get absolutely nothing in return if he were to leave. Honestly, if he hits the open market then I’m sure he’ll leave. Someone will blow him away with some big dollars.

So yea, the Padres in a very tough position right now what do they do. Bell is right when he said “The ball is in my court”.

If the Padres let him walk when he’s willing to take a discount or accept arbitration then they risk alienating their fan base even more. They would truly be the bad guys in this situation.

So if you were Padres CEO Jeff Moorad or General Manager Jed Hoyer, what do you do?

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Sources say the Phillies, Mariners and Reds are among the teams that have already inquired about Ludwick’s availability. And the Padres are signaling that they are willing to move Ludwick, the 32-year-old who is eligible for free agency at season’s end. (FOX Sports/Yardbarker)

The Phillies and Cardinals are among the teams that have checked in on Bell and Qualls, sources say.(FOX Sports/Yardbarker)

We’ll start with Ryan Ludwick, he’s the one that came as no surprise. The Phillies have been scouring the trade market looking for a right-handed hitting outfielder, preferably with power and Ludwick fits the bill.

Ludwick isn’t the greatest of hitters, hitting only .255 but does have nine homers and 45 rbi’s over 267 at-bats. He’s currently 11th in the National League in the RBI category. So to put it simple, he’s a run producer and it’s something that Phillies could use.

Heath Bell and Chad Qualls on the other hand were a bit of a surprise.

Personally, I don’t think the Phillies bullpen is that weak, could it use some improving? Yes, every bullpen in baseball could but I don’t think of it as a serious need. Especially when you consider they’ll have Brad Lidge returning to the unit later this summer.

When I look at it from a general manager stand point I can see why Ruben Amaro Jr is kicking around the tires on it. Bell and Qualls are both two of the best in their respective roles and both free agents after the 2011 seasons. If you had a chance to add either of them to that bullpen, especially Bell, it could become as elite as their starting rotation.

Imagine the possibilities of having to face Bell, Lidge and Ryan Madson (not saying that will be the order) in the 7th, 8th and 9th innings. Coming from behind would be an impossible task.

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While I understand Amaro kicking around the tires, I’d still focus on the bat if I were the Phillies. The reason? It’s something I’ve been asking all my Phillies fans since they reacquired Cliff Lee…….

Who cares if give up 1 or 2 runs a game if you can’t outscore the other team? They all tell me the same thing, that’s nothing we can easily score that. So I then bring up the 2010 National League Championship Series. The Phillies pitchers were pretty damn good but the bats let them down.

You may score three plus runs a game during a long season but in the Playoffs it’s harder to score. Managers are playing the matchups and there are none of those occasional mental lapses by pitchers. They’re pitching not going through the motions. You need to score.

If I was Amaro and could pull off one deal with the Padres, I’d bring in Ludwick. He’s been a run producer his entire career and would instantly become last years Jayson Werth, giving Chase and Ryan all the protection they need.

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@StevePopper: As we reported earlier today – Mets expecting to add Chris Young to the rotation – just pending physical now.

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With the budget shopping teams finally acquiring pitchers will the New York Mets ever pull the trigger on Chris Young? The Mets have been dragging their feet with their insistence on not wanting to pay a pitcher more then $1.5 million maybe with all the moves that will pay off soon. Steve Popper of the Bergen Record and Adam Rubin of ESPN both think it will.

@StevePopper: Mets exec says – no surprise – expects Chris Young will get done eventually. But no timetable yet.

@AdamRubinESPN: With the Nats and Royals having added starting pitchers, you have to believe Chris Young and Mets eventually should happen.

Popper’s tweet was this morning well before the Chicago Cubs dealt Tom Gorzelanny to the Washington Nationals (one of the teams close to signing Young). Rubin’s was obviously after, so one would think after the trade things are more likely.

Me, I’m actually not sure the Nationals are out of the Chris Young running. Think about it, the Nats were willing to go all-in on Cliff Lee, even after signing Jayson Werth. So they’ve got money to burn. Young is a low-risk, high-reward guy who would definitely take a very incentive driven contract, with a reasonable base.

In 2010, after returning from injury, Young went 2-0 with a 0.90 ERA in 20 innings pitched, with 15 strikeouts. The one knock was his control, walking 11 batters but you know what that will get better as he gets more time on the mound. If Young could stay healthy, there is no reason to believe he won’t pitch near his career 3.80 ERA.

Young is without a doubt the best pitcher left on the market, after Carl Pavano of course. For the Mets or Nationals, he’d be a huge addition. Will the Mets pull the trigger now before they lose out on another off season?

“While we’d still love to have Adrian here long-term, it doesn’t appear to be practical from a financial standpoint. So I’m certainly not counting on that. But we’ll engage and see if there’s a deal that can be made.”

If the 2010 version of the Padres were your classic cellar dwelling Padres then I’d agree, it would be unpractical to sign Gonzalez. But these are not the Padres I grew up with, these Padres are a young group of kids that can play and succeed if given the chance. And I’m sorry Mr. Moorad but Adrian Gonzalez gives those kids their best chance to do so.

Money is an issue that I get but winning cures all, especially when a team dedicates itself to doing so. Winning brings fans into the ballpark; fans in the ballpark bring in money. By looking at the 2010 attendance figures, the Padres success did just that as the team crossed the two million fans mark for the first time in a long time.

In 2009, the Padres drew about 1.9 million fans averaging 23,736 per game. In 2010, they drew a tad over 2.1 million, averaging over 26,000 fans per contest. For a team like the Padres that’s a significant increase. So what caused that??

Moorad will have you believe it was the lower ticket prices. That’s part of the cause but the main reason was the team’s winning habits. In the second half of the season, the team was outdrawing the prior year, not by major numbers but enough to tell you that they were gaining interest.

In home games 50-70, they were averaging about 500-1500 more fans then the prior year that changed thou once September hit. In the team’s final 11 home games they outdrew the prior year by 2-3,000, that tells me people were starting to believe that this team could win. Moorad even admits that the team noticed this, but I don’t think he fully grasps the theory.

“Much was made of the non-capacity crowds toward the end of the season compared to other cities,” Moorad said. “I told everyone who asked: ‘Look, this is a community that needs to see and believe.’ I believe they’ve now seen a bit and they’re beginning to believe. … At this point, I think the direction is clearer, if not clear, and we believe the fan base is responding.”

I wonder to myself, if Moorad knew what he was saying? He thinks the fan base is responding because the direction the ball club is heading is clearer. I’m sorry it’s really not Jeff, it seems like the status quo to me.

Yes, you made some moves throughout the year to give the team a chance to win BUT you’re still talking about letting your star player walk because of money. As long as that trend continues then the fan base will never truly respond and give this team the dedication that they deserve.

I believe Moorad is just being as cheap as every other person whose run the Padres. Yes, he’ll increase payroll for 2011 into the $40 million range but that’s not enough. Adrian Gonzalez should cost approximately $15 million per starting in 2012, slightly more if the Boston Red Sox are truly involved. That’s about $10 million more then he makes now.

If the fans are responding to the teams success and Gonzalez gives them the best chance to continue on then why not make that number about $50 million. It’s a drop in a bucket with the extra money you’d receive from the fans in stands and possible playoff revenue.

I’m not a Padres fan so I can’t speak for them, but Gonzalez is their first TRUE star since Tony Gwynn. He’s the reason a lot of them go to the ballpark. I’m sure they believe he’s the reason they were a contender. He’s hit 161 homeruns in five seasons, he’s a guy that brings excitement to the ballpark and if you let that walk, well…..

You’d probably lose any good faith you earned when you talked about changing this organization. If you are serious about turning around this organization then don’t make the same mistakes.

And that Mr. Moorad, that is practical.

The duo reports that general manager Theo Epstein is entertaining offers for Lowell. Actually, he’s calling around to see if anyone his willing to take him. Supposedly, Boston is so desperate to trade him they’re willing to pay up to half of his $12 million salary.

Unfortunately for them I don’t see how any team would be willing to make that deal. Any team that trades with the Sox probably wouldn’t have to give up anything of value but still who’d want an over-rated, washed up major leaguer at $6 million.

A rival executive told FOXSports that he’d be surprised if the Sox would find anyone to pay him $6 million. I’d agree.

Red Sox Nation would argue that Lowell is still productive, just look at his stats. To a point they’re correct, he batted .290 with 17 homers, 75 rbis and 29 doubles. Once you look at his splits thou you realize he’s washed up.

Playing in the hitter friendly Fenway park he went .307 with 12 homers, 45 rbis and 20 of those doubles. On the road? .276 with 5 homers, 30 rbis and 9 doubles. What makes those numbers even worse? He had 47 more at bats on the road then at home.

So yea he can still hit when in the friendly confines of Fenway but outside of it, he’s not worth shit.

He used to be one of the better defenders in the league but rated as one of MLB’s worst at third base this past season due to his decreased range. So basically, what team would be willing to pay around $6 million for someone who can’t hit and can’t field? Not sure. Baltimore maybe?

It’s no surprise thou that Boston is going to such drastic levels to try and trade the guy. If they want to add Gonzalez they’re going to have to cut a little payroll somewhere and trading Lowell would do that. Trading Lowell would also prevent the Sox from having to put Youkilis in left, a position he can play but they’d prefer he not.

I applaud Epstein for trying to make some changes but he’s going to have to get more creative if he wants Lowell to disappear.

Yea, I know you’re thinking WTF? First thing I said. Bradley is well known for his on the field altercation with an umpire that blew out his knee and the team he played for at the time was the San Diego Padres. So why would a team like the Padres consider revisiting that? There are actually a few good reasons.

“I haven’t had any calls from Jim about him,” Towers told ESPN.com. “But I think people kind of know what players we target. We have to take chances sometimes. We took a chance on Milton the first time we had him, and he actually played pretty well [before the injury].

“We could be in the market for an outfielder. I’m not saying it’s necessarily Milton. But our experience with him was rather a positive one. It wasn’t really a negative one.”

Looking back at his time with the Padres, prior to injury, it actually wasn’t that bad. He played 42 games and hit 11 homers with 30 runs batted in and a .313 average in just 144 at bats. His on base percentage was also a stout .414 as he had 23 walks. Pretty solid numbers for someone playing in Petco Park.

Jon Heyman at SI.com also likes the idea of Bradley going back to San Diego, calling it “one of the better stops for Bradley”. Looking at his career stats he’s not off base at all, one of his best seasons took place in San Diego and Texas. Unfortunately like most of his career both of those were one or partial season stops.

One consensus on all fronts is that San Diego would be a place where Bradley can just disappear. The problem with that happening thou is money.

Bradley is due to make $9 million in 2010 and another $12 million in 2011. A bat like Milton’s would help take relief off slugger Adrian Gonzalez but not at that cost. There’s no way the Padres can take on that kind of salary without some sort of relief, especially when they’re not going to be in contention anytime soon.

I think its a long shot he winds up there just for the monetary reason. Even so the Cubs will come calling in a few weeks and the Padres will definitely be answering.

For those that don’t know, the Padres are struggling to meet their payroll budget. Ownership set the budget at approximately $40 million for the 2009 season. Currently they’re at about $44-45 million. Not to bad, but ownership still wants the number to be at or below the set rate. There are two players that could easily be moved to reach this number, Brian Giles ($9 million) and Peavy ($11 million). The problem the team is having is that both players have no trade clauses. In fact, Giles turned down a trade to the Red Sox last season. Since then his thinking has changed and he’d be willing to consider a trade (but not until the summer). So yea, he wants to be a Padre and won’t consider a move till he sees how the team is performing. Can the Padres really count on moving him mid-season? Not at all, he could get hurt or just have a horrendous season. So what does that leave? Jake Peavy as your trading option.

Peavy also has a full no trade clause but its still believed he would accept a trade to the Chicago Cubs. The actual trade talks have slowed lately due to the sale of the Cubbies. After that’s finished talks could pick back up.

Personally, I think Peavy will be moved. The best scenario for the Padres would be mid-season, give a little wait and see. If the team is in the playoff race you keep him in the fold and hope to make some extra money from a playoff push. The risks they take is Peavy getting hurt. He has some history with arm ailments, including being shut down for a month in 2008 with elbow and forearm swelling. With a young franchise that needs to fight to fill the seats I think its a risk worth taking.

What happens who knows. But if Peavy is traded I hope it’s to the Cubbies and his amazing talent is kept away from the American League.

The Padres were offering a four million dollar deal for 2009, with a club-option for 2010 at the same rate. The Brewers only offered two million more. For a player who has been in the league as long as he has that amount is minuscule. Especially with the tens of millions he made when at the top of his game. Regardless thou for the Padres this isn’t to big of a blow as they won’t be contending for anything. For the Brewers is this a great low cost, low risk signing.

One of the major weaknesses for the Brew Crew last season was their relief pitching. Anytime you have to throw Eric Gagne and Salomon Torres out there as your closers, you’re going to struggle. Despite those two bums they still made the playoffs but then got exposed. While some will argue Trevor is on the downside of his career, he’s still a better option those other two. If Torres saved 28 games for the Brewers, then you can easily expect Hoffman to be in the 30 to 35 range. Last season, he saved exactly 30, his 13th time saving 30 or more, a MLB record. He did have his highest era, 3.77 in well over a decade, but he still has that nasty changeup which can more then make up for his lacking fastball.

Does this keep the Brewers as a playoff team? No, but it surely helps them keep them in the race. The team has also added Jorge Julio to the pen and are really trying to strengthen the backend. It’s something they have to do as they will be going to the bullpen a lot more often with out C.C. Sabathia and Ben Sheets eating all those innings.

Remember thou this all still pending as he hasn’t passed his physical yet.

Headley will be primarily a left fielder on the major league team, with occasional appearances at third base. The players who will be affected the most will be Scott Hairston and Jody Gerut, the guys who currently man the position. Headley has been absolutely tearing the cover off the ball in the minors and will most likely get to start every day. In just 65 Triple-A games, he’s batting a .305 with 13 homers and 24 doubles. To make room for Chase on the roster, you could expect Justin Huber or Paul McAnulty to be demoted to Triple-A Portland. Both players haven’t played that well, Huber batting .218 with a homerun in 55 at bats, while McAnulty is batting a whopping .239 in 115 at-bats.

To many Padres fans and fantasy players, it was puzzling why such a talent didn’t make this team out of the gate. True, he was still learning the left field position, but he would of been a much better option in left for a team that started the season with such big expectations. Now, he’ll just be getting himself acclimated to the Major League game for the rest of the season. Actually, I take that back the Padres are only 7.5 games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks as I write this. If they play like they did last year they’ll still have somewhat of a chance to catch the D’Backs, albeit a very slim chance. If you were lucky enough to be draft him and get to stash him on your fantasy reserve list, it is time to reap the reward. If not, get to the waiver wires fast.

In addition, the timing of this move is pretty strange. The Padres are calling Chase up for a Sunday game in Cleveland, an American League ballpark. The team could have just as easily called him up Friday and let him play for the entire weekend, while the team had the advantage of the designated hitter. It could have also gave him a couple days to get the big league jitters out of the way before traveling to play the New York Yankees at the House that Ruth Built.