Quentin open to staying with Padres
Carlos Quentin would like to hear what the still undetermined new owners of the Padres have in mind before he is moved out of San Diego.
Right now, the speculation in baseball is that the Padres' left fielder will have a new home before the trade deadline.
But Quentin said on Tuesday afternoon that he wouldn't mind remaining a Padre -- this season and beyond.
"I don't really have a say in whether or not I'm traded, but a lot of things I'm seeing here are really positive," Quentin said.
"I'm definitely open to talking about a future with the Padres. I'd be open to discussing that. I like the environment here. I like what Bud (Black), his staff, the training staff are doing. I appreciate where they want to go."
Of course, the Padres are for sale. And the future of players and staff might ultimately be in the hands of people not currently involved with the Padres.
"I don't control what the Padres might decide," said Quentin. "All I control is my approach. But I'm open to discussing staying here in the future."
Black said, "I get the same feeling ... that he'd like to stay if things are right."
Quentin might be the type of middle-of-the-lineup hitter the Padres could build around although his history of injuries might be a concern. He missed the first 49 games of the season following arthroscopic knee surgery during spring training. Before joining the Padres, Quentin averaged 120 games a season with the White Sox.
Quentin, 29, is a year-round San Diego County resident who was raised in Chula Vista and attended the former University High. He is making $7.025 million this season and is a free agent at the end of the year. The Padres acquired him from the Chicago White Sox last December 31 in exchange for pitchers Simon Castro and Pedro Hernandez.
Because he is eligible for free agency at the end of the season, Quentin might not bring that much in trade outside the savings in salary. If he goes elsewhere as a free agent, the Padres would receive a supplemental draft pick.