San Diego Padres general manager Jed Hoyer talked about the Padres' hitting coach search, personnel moves, attacking free agency, and more with Darren Smith on XX1090 Sports Radio's The Darren Smith Show. Let's check out the highlights; thanks to produce Marty Caswell, you can listen to Hoyer's hit here.
- Outfielder Brad Hawpe won't be a Padre next year, Hoyer said. The team holds a mutual option for 2012 worth $6 million, but San Diego will pay the $1 million for a buyout. Hawpe, 32, hit .231/.301/.344 in 216 plate appearances.
- Likewise, the Padres won't exercise Chad Qualls' $6 million club option for the 2012 season. Instead, the club will buy Qualls out for $1.05 million, then look into bringing the right-handed reliever back. The 33-year-old native posted a 3.51 ERA, 2.15 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
- The club is discussing internally on whether or not to accept starting pitcher's Aaron Harang's mutual option for the 2012 season. Harang, a San Diego native, said the mutual option is OK on his side - the ball is in Hoyer's court to accept the $5 million mutual option.
- Hoyer confirmed the team has made offers to bring back Heath Bell, but doesn't want to overextend themselves in years and dollars.