The right Cruz may be just what Padres need

By: DAN HAYES - Staff Writer | Sunday, February 25, 2007 10:25 PM PST ∞

PEORIA, Ariz. ---- With Todd Greene out with a dislocated shoulder, the Padres' most pressing need appears to be a right-handed bat off the bench.

But general manager Kevin Towers insists the team doesn't have a deal in the works ---- the Padres will go with what they have. At least for now.

What Towers is hoping he has is a rejuvenated outfielder in 32-year-old Jose Cruz Jr. The team inked Cruz to a one-year, $650,000 contract in December and now hopes he can serve the dual role of starting left fielder against left-handed pitching and right-handed bat off the bench.

The 10-year veteran ---- whose 2006 season ended when he was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on Aug. 1 ---- is looking to bounce back in a big way. Last year, Cruz posted career low numbers across the board with a .233 batting average, five home runs and 17 RBIs.

But the Padres are looking past those digits and focusing on Cruz's career batting splits. While the switch-hitter owns 155 left-handed homers compared to 43 right-handed, his lifetime average from the right side is .280 compared to .239 as a lefty.

And Cruz, who is expected to be the team's fourth outfielder and share at-bats with Terrmel Sledge, is confident his body isn't breaking down.

"Absolutely (feel good)," Cruz said. "I worked hard at it. I went to winter ball and got all those kinks out. I feel great, and if people are questioning my health I'm going to surprise them on the field."

Towers is looking for a pleasant surprise from the Sledge/Cruz combo, hoping it can keep him out of the trade market. Foxsports.com reported the Padres are still making inquiries, specifically about Milwaukee outfielder Geoff Jenkins, who bats left-handed. The same report, however, said Towers is first interested in seeing how his outfield plays out before he deals. The team has also expressed interest in Philadelphia's Aaron Rowand.

But for now, nothing's doing.

"We feel we're all right now until we get into the games," Towers said on Friday. "We're not out looking for right-handed bats. We like what we have."

Cruz said his success from the right side the past few seasons left him questioning his struggles from the left. But he's tinkered with his swing and is ready to get going.

"The last couple of years I've found a really, really nice groove right-handed for whatever reason and I've been kind of streaky left-handed," Cruz said.

"But I think I made some adjustments (left-handed) that I'm pretty excited to see how it turns out this year."

Gone fishing

Manager Bud Black is a big-time proponent of team chemistry and team-building exercises. And Sunday morning's fishing exhibition is a perfect example of that theory at work.

For 20 minutes, Jake Peavy, Doug Brocail, Scott Linebrink, pitching coach Darren Balsley and others took part in a casting contest in the outfield at Peoria Sports Complex.

Teammates hooted and hollered as they watched two groups of four players and coaches cast their fishing lines at three distant buckets. Black said new addition Scott Strickland, nonroster invitee Erick Burke and Balsley topped the team's casting talent.

"I've never been on a team with so many rednecks and fishermen," catcher Rob Bowen said. "It's a great way to build chemistry and form some bonds. Everybody gets together and has a laugh. All that stuff is so important, especially in the postseason. Look at the Cardinals, they had (83) wins, but they were playing together as a team."

Cruz has never seen anything like Sunday's display. But he's all for it.

"It's a first in my career," he said with a laugh. "That was hilarious. So far (the atmosphere) has been excellent. Better than I expected. There are a lot of characters in here."

Et cetera

Sunday was the fourth and final day for Padres pitchers to throw live batting practice. ... LHP David Wells didn't participate in any of the sessions, but manager Bud Black said that's the norm. Black said Wells normally builds his arm strength by playing long toss. "It's what he's been doing in the past," Black said.

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