now, before you all form up the lynch mob and start running at me with your pitch forks hear me out.
I'll start off by stating that i'd say "screw the silver lining/"blessing in disguise" in a heartbeat and I want them to get their acts in gear and make this a great season, but that said...
if the Padres are out of contention this year by the trade deadline this opens them up to make moves they wouldn't otherwise make.
They could trade Brian Giles and actually get something in return for him, thereby lessening the oncoming blow of making the initial trade seem that much worse.
They could hopefully trade Nevin to a contendor and get something in return for him/get a better fielder. (I'm of the understanding Nevin's NTC is now only a limited one, and his 5/10 status doesn't kick in till 2006)
I'd hate this one contending or not, but if Ramon is insistant on 10 Mil/year then they can trade him and get something in return for him as well.
They can then use the saved up money to bring Xavier Nady back for next year, move Klesko back to 1st, either bring up Guzman to man center or sign a better temporary fill in, sign a better left fielder, and another good pitcher.
Now, I don't expect big names to fill in all the positions mentioned above. Given the Padres' track record/budget, I would expect to see some bargain hunting, but i'm sure the freed up money would be good for something. (plus i'm not even taking into account what they get back via trade...which of course would suck up some of the would-be saved up money too.)
Either way, perhaps the Padres falling out of contention this year would allow KT to dismantle the team to some extent and rebuild it over the offseason with a team more fit for PetCo.
(I wouldn't be opposed to a managerial change either)