Padres to begin Headley experiment

By: DAN HAYES - Staff Writer | Tuesday, January 15, 2008 11:15 PM PST ∞

SAN DIEGO -- The Padres will begin their attempt to convert third baseman Chase Headley into a left fielder today, when the soon-to-be rookie reports to Petco Park to start learning his new position.

Headley, 23, will be joined by Matt Antonelli, Scott Hairston and Chad Huffman for a series of drills this week as the club tries to convert its top position prospect.

The Padres' second-round selection in the 2005 amateur draft hit .330 with 20 homers and 78 RBIs last season at Double-A San Antonio and had two briefs stints with the Padres.

But with Kevin Kouzmanoff coming off a successful 2007 campaign, Headley's path to the majors is blocked. Additionally, the Padres lack a proven, everyday left fielder and seek an additional left-handed hitter -- Headley is a switch hitter -- for the lineup.

The organization is also toying with the idea of moving Antonelli to center field. The Padres used their first-round pick in 2006 to draft Antonelli, then a third baseman from Wake Forest. He was converted to second base last year.

The Padres are also going to give Hairston, who has spent much of his career in left field, a look in center.

"It's probably the biggest challenge for Headley," general manager Kevin Towers said, "with him having never really played outfield at all. But if he's able to do it he'll be a big part of our club (this) year."

Though the Padres are close to their $75 million player budget for 2008, Towers said it's possible the club isn't done pursuing players. He noted, however, that the Padres would likely only go after an outfielder.

Following the tryout, Towers' next order of business is getting deals in place with Khalil Greene, Josh Bard and Wilfredo Ledezma. All three players are arbitration eligible this offseason.

And though Towers has expressed interest in signing Greene and Bard to long-term deals, he didn't think anything was imminent.

Instead Towers expects all three players to file for arbitration by Friday's deadline. The team would then have until an arbitration hearing, which would occur sometime from Feb. 1-20, to strike a deal.

As for his own status, Towers, whose contract expires after 2008, said there's no hurry.

The most tenured general manager in baseball said he and Padres CEO Sandy Alderson discussed the matter before the holidays. Alderson didn't return a call seeking comment Tuesday.

In December, Alderson indicated that Towers would be with the club for a long time. He also commented how Towers has worked well within the Padres front office.

"I'm certainly not trying to rush things," Towers said. "I'm comfortable in my situation and I think Sandy's comfortable with me."

-- Contact staff writer Dan Hayes at dhayes@nctimes.com.

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