Daily Friar 1.28.13

Another Monday is upon us, and with it a fresh week of Padres related news and stories. Right now I don’t expect a whole lot of breaking news, but we could see a minor league signing or two as we get closer to spring training. Speaking of spring training, we are almost there! Pitchers and catchers report in about two weeks and then baseball can officially being to pick up. It is also that time of the year for top prospect lists to be coming out as I am sure you have noticed. I have been trying to keep up on which sites are releasing lists, and today we have another one to go. This one is one of the biggest as it is brought to us by Baseball America. And with that let’s get to those articles: Submit articles and follow me on twitter Follow @M_Rennick Baseball America has the top 10 Padres prospects “But Josh Byrnes, in his first year as the team’s general manager, had every reason to expect in-season improvement as a young roster gained experience and San Diego’s abundance of upper-level pitching prospects made their way to Petco Park.” Could the Padres make a surprise push in 2013? – Sporting News “But the Padres are a team demanding attention, and if the offense can continue to develop and the pitching does what the front office believes it can, the team is going to make noise in the division.” Melbourne pitcher John Hussey signs with the Padres - The Telegraph “Hussey, 26, has re-signed with the San Diego Padres after walking out on the club in pursuit of a tertiary education in 2010.” Where will Andrew Cashner fit in the 2013 pitching staff? - Rant Sports “A potential scenario would see the team slot him in the bullpen upon return, and transition Cashner to starting midway through the season, just as they did in 2012. It’s not ideal, but it could give the Padres the best look at what they really have in him, and what his future with the club holds.” Win a Chase Headley bobblehead – The Friarhood “We are kicking off 2013 with a great contest.  You can win a Chase Headley bobblehead if you are able to guess the amount he will make in 2013.” Phillies bring back Chad Durbin – MLB.com “Sources told MLB.com on Monday that the Phils and right-hander Chad Durbin have agreed to terms on a one-year deal, pending a physical. The deal includes a club option for 2014.” Rays to sign Kelly Johnson – MLBTR “The Rays have agreed to sign second baseman Kelly Johnson to a one-year deal, sources tell Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.  Johnson is represented by SFX.”