Greene insurance for green catchers

By: DAN HAYES - Staff Writer | Sunday, February 18, 2007 8:07 PM PST ∞

PEORIA, Ariz. ---- Todd Greene has been here before. The veteran catcher is a nonroster invitee to Padres spring training with a boatload of experience behind the plate, a strong right-handed bat and no guarantees.

Greene, who signed a minor-league contract with the Padres on Jan. 13, is attempting to catch on with his eighth team in eight seasons. Last season, Greene hit .289 with two homers and 17 RBIs in 61 games for the San Francisco Giants.

And with a pair of relatively inexperienced catchers ---- Josh Bard and Rob Bowen ---- ahead of him, Greene, 35, could crack the team's Opening Day roster.

But none of that matters to the veteran on the verge of his 12th season. He has a new pitching staff to learn about.

"I am what I am," Greene said. "I'm not going to reinvent the wheel. If I prove that my skills aren't diminished then whatever happens, happens. My goal is to get to know all the pitchers and what they can and can't do."

Manager Bud Black recognizes Greene's value. He likes what Greene provides behind the plate and elsewhere.

"Todd Greene is in the mix," Black said. "He has a chance to make the club as well. He has first base in his history and he's a right-handed bat off the bench with some pop in it."

Said general manager Kevin Towers: "This is not new to Greeney. He seems like he's in this position every year where he's got to make the club. He's got tremendous experience. We're not sure yet, but there's a chance we could carry three (catchers) like last year."

Black on Balsley

Black nixed any idea of a power struggle between himself ---- a former pitching coach ---- and current pitching coach Darren Balsley.

The first-year manager said he and Balsley, a Mt. Carmel High alumnus, spoke on the day Black was hired and that the two came to an easy accord.

"One of the first things Darren said was 'Buddy, if you have any suggestions, any ideas, feel free. I want to learn. I want to listen,' " Black said.

But Black, the Angels' pitching coach from 2000-2006, insisted that Balsley had nothing to fear; his experience with the organization's pitchers dating back to his stints in Double-A Mobile (2002) and Single-A Lake Elsinore (2001) was invaluable.

"I said 'Those are your guys, those are your pitchers,' " Black said. " 'I want them to know that what you say is coming from a strong voice. Whatever I say to a pitcher, you will know.' "

Black even addressed a hypothetical situation in which the two have issues.

"We won't fight unless we have to," Black said with a smile. "And then we'll make up."

Et cetera

2B Todd Walker didn't sign with the Padres on Sunday leaving the two sides only today to settle before heading to arbitration Tuesday. ... IF Geoff Blum arrived in camp.