Bellhorn a Padre now

[riverside sluggers]

Padres go to Japan for Otsuka's replacement

 

The Padres are heading back to Japan to replace right-hander Akinori Otsuka, whom they traded Tuesday to the Rangers. Only this time, the reliever they're signing is a native of Detroit. Right-hander Brian Sikorski, who spent the past five seasons pitching in Japan, is expected to sign with the Padres on Thursday, FOXSports.com has learned. The Padres also are expected to announce the signings of free-agent second baseman Mark Bellhorn and right-hander Dewon Brazelton to one-year deals.

 

The team remains interested in trading for Red Sox left-hander David Wells, but not if the Sox want outfielder Dave Roberts. The Padres would prefer to deal right-hander Woody Williams. Bellhorn, 31, spent last season with the Red Sox and Yankees. He figures to be the regular at second unless he is beaten out by Josh Barfield or Bobby Hill in spring training.

 

Sikorski, 31, pitched in 10 games — five starts — for the Rangers in 2000, posting a 5.73 ERA. He then spent three seasons with the Chiba Lotte Marines and two with the Tokyo Giants. A workhorse, Sikorski posted a 3.55 ERA in 101 innings last season, striking out 105, walking 41 and allowing only seven home runs. The previous season, he posted a 2.65 ERA in 98 innings, striking out 87 and walking 27.

 

Sikorski likely will assume Otsuka's role, pitching in front of setup man Scott Linebrink and closer Trevor Hoffman. The Padres also expect to use right-handers Doug Brocail and Clay Hensley in their bullpen. Brazelton, acquired from the Devil Rays for third baseman Sean Burroughs, could compete for a spot in either the rotation or ‘pen. The Padres declined to offer him a contract Tuesday, but planned to sign him as a free agent.

[26 Reasons to Hate Us]

just in case anyone cares...

 

By Bill Center

UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

December 22, 2005

 

The Padres will have a second baseman named Mark next season.

 

But it will be Bellhorn rather than Loretta.

 

The Padres will announce the signing of the former Boston Red Sox second baseman today. San Diego has also signed right-handed setup reliever Brian Sikorski, who spent the past five seasons pitching in Japan.

 

Bellhorn, 31, is expected to compete with rookie Josh Barfield and Bobby Hill for the starting job at second. And if history repeats, Bellhorn could have a strong year.

 

His best seasons were 2002 and 2004. Bellhorn struggled in 2003 and 2005.

 

Last season, Bellhorn hit only .210 in 94 games with the Red Sox and Yankees, with eight homers and 30 RBI. He also struck out 112 times in 300 at-bats. But in 2004, Bellhorn hit a career-high .264 for the Red Sox with 17 homers and 82 RBI. He also had key homers in the American League Championship Series against the Yankees and in the Red Sox's World Series sweep of the Cardinals.

 

Playing for the Chicago Cubs in 2002, Bellhorn hit .258 with a career-high 27 homers and 56 RBI in 146 games. In 2003, he slumped to .221 with two homers and 26 RBI in 99 games.

 

Bellhorn opted for free agency at the end of the season when the Yankees sought to outright him to their Triple-A affiliate. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound switch-hitter has a .236 career average with 61 homers and 218 RBI. He has struck out 628 times in 1,840 career at-bats.

 

Bellhorn will sign a one-year contract with the Padres, who originally drafted him out of high school in the 37th round in 1992. Bellhorn opted to attend Auburn University and was a second-round pick of Oakland in 1995.

 

Sikorski, 31, will be a candidate for Akinori Otsuka's vacant role in the Padres' bullpen. The 1995 draft choice of the Houston Astros has been one of the more active relievers in Japan.

 

Last season, Sikorski appeared in 70 games for the Yomiuri Giants. Over 101 innings, Sikorski had 105 strikeouts against 41 walks with a 3.55 ERA.

 

Sikorski, whose fastball is rated at around 93-94 mph, has pitched in 238 games since 2001 in Japan, where he has a career 21-20 record with a 3.51 ERA.

[Beckett95]

nice to see hes getting another chance to start somewhere

[bellhornsgirl12]

Hmm...Bellhorn...bye.

[jsinger121]

hes not gonna start. he will be backing up josh barfield their top prospect.

[riverside sluggers]

sidetrack for a sec, Foxsports must trying to put even more of a bad light on the Red Sox. The link to this article reads, Another member of 2004 Red Sox champs bolts team ??

 

Correct me if Im wrong, but Bell didnt bolt from the team. By July/August the organization and just about every fan had it with him (offensively & defensively) so he was cut. He was obviosuly the odd man out once the rag tag duo of Tony G and Cora came onboard.