This Bud's For You

Maybe in their job listing for a new manager, the budget-conscious Padres should have included: "Only local applicants need apply."
On Wednesday, the team hired Rancho Santa Fe resident Bud Black to be the new skipper, and the Padres are ecstatic about the hire -- because it means they don't have to pay moving expenses.
This was no surprise, as Black represents a safe (cheap) hire who is similar in personality to his predecessor Bruce Bochy yet will do as he's told by the Sandy Alderson-run management regime.
But some fans -- and at least one player -- might be disappointed that Dusty Baker didn't get the job after hearing and reading for the past week that Baker was clearly interested. But apparently, the Padres aren't interested in hiring a three-time National League Manager of the Year who would command more than $2 million a year and would have his own ideas on how to run things.
As for Black's contract, he signed a two-year deal with a club option for a third and he'll be paid less than half of what Bochy ($1.9 million) will make in 2007.
Black is the respected former pitching coach of the Angels and a former big-league pitcher for many years, but there are some important things to consider here:

• Black has never been a manager at any level. That means the guy managing your kid's T-ball team has more managerial experience than the Padres' new skipper. So, Padre fans, prepare for a learning curve with the guy pushing the buttons in the dugout. And you thought Bochy made some questionable strategic moves during games?
• Former pitchers and pitching coaches typically don't make good managers. For whatever reason, that has been the case. Maybe it has something do with the fact that pitchers only have their heads in the game every fifth day during their playing careers.
• Black, 49, is a San Diego State product, where he was a teammate of Tony Gwynn. And if there's one thing we know about San Diego State, the school is all about winning. But if Black has any questions about managerial strategy, he can always call Gwynn, who has been a huge success as a head coach. We're not sure why Black's local college ties from 30 years ago have anything do with anything now, but we're pretty sure when George Steinbrenner hires Joe Torre's replacement next year, he won't say, "Find me a guy who played baseball at Fordham!"
• Since the Padres hired Black instead of Baker, does this make the team less attractive to potential free agents?
  
• Black has received a lot of praise for his work as the Angels pitching coach, but apparently his magic didn't work on everybody. Exhibit A: How does one explain the 2006 season of Jeff Weaver?

Also, on Wednesday, the Padres showed their typical strange timing by announcing they've traded popular second baseman Josh Barfield to Cleveland for Kevin Kouzmanoff, a highly touted minor-league prospect who probably will be handed the third base job. The Padres also got a Triple-A pitcher nobody's ever heard of.
This trade clearly is a head-scratcher, although we'll reserve judgment for now.
But the first time Kouzmanoff goes 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, we'll be sure to give him a Minor-League Town welcome to the big leagues here.

NOTE: We updated this post on Friday with Black's contract info and added a new photo from Thursday night's press conference.