In this column, I will analyze that player’s statistics against the Friars and try to offer some insight on how not to let that player beat our beloved team.

For weeks leading up to Major League Baseball’s non-waiver trade deadline, it was reported by several MLB insiders that the New York Mets rejected a trade proposal from the San Diego Padres that would have shipped Padres relief pitcher Luke Gregerson to the Mets for second baseman Daniel Murphy.

Daniel Murphy is caught stealing second base.

Murphy would have been a huge get for the Padres, not only from the standpoint that it would have added another quality bat in the Padres’ lineup, but because of the damage he does when he plays against the Friars.

Murphy is a Padre killer, and here are his numbers to prove it:

The 27-year-old left handed hitter owns Citi Field. In 179 career games played at Citi Field, Murphy has a .321 batting average with nine home runs and 72 RBI.

However, Murphy and the Mets won’t be playing the Padres in a three game set at Citi Field, instead, they head west and play at Petco Park where Murphy also fairs well.

At Petco Murphy has a .294 average with zero home runs and one RBI.

If I were the Padres, I would make Murphy chase. Throw him pitches hard and away. I believe making Murphy chase pitches is the only way the Padres can stop Murphy.

Statistics Courtesy of: Baseball Reference

It is widely known that the Major League Baseball selection committee chooses where to hold the All-Star game based on factors such as: a newly opened field, historical occasion or to commemorate significant anniversaries.

Now, Petco Park qualifies in one of these criteria. The beautiful stadium that sits in downtown San Diego opened in 2004. So at seven years old, it is still considered one of the newer ballparks in Major League Baseball. Being that Petco Park is still relatively new, it should host an All-Star game.

Nosebleed view of Petco Park Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE

But it won’t be next year. MLB has already announced that the 2013 All-Star game will be played at Citi Field in Queens, New York.

Citi Field has only been in existence for two years while Petco Park has been up and running for seven. Granted the New York Mets are in the longest drought to host an All-Star game.

The Minnesota Twins along with the Chicago Cubs are bidding for the 2014 game. Target Field (the home of the Twins) opened two years ago. Petco Park has five years on Target Field.

The Cubs want to host the game in 2014 to commemorate the centennial of Wrigley Field.

The Miami Marlins and the Washington Nationals are bidding for the 2015 All-Star game.

The Marlins just relocated to Miami and moved into the new Marlins Park this year, while the Nationals opened Nationals Park in 2008.

Aside from the historic Wrigley Field, Petco Park is the oldest, newest ballpark of all those mentioned.

So where does Petco Park fit in with all this All-Star madness?

Well, this year the Mets moved in their outfield fence by as much as 12 feet and lowered the height of the home run line to 8 feet throughout the outfield, according to nymets.com

For doing this, MLB rewarded the Mets with an All-Star game (although MLB probably won’t ever publicly admit this).

The Padres must follow suit if they want an All-Star game in America’s Finest City. The last time the game was played in sunny San Diego was in 1992 at then Jack Murphy Stadium.

It is my belief that Bud Selig and company want the outfield fence at PetcoPark to be moved in before an All-Star game is welcomed in San Diego.

The day before the All-Star game is the ever-popular Home Run Derby, and let’s all be honest, no one wants to see the Home Run Derby champion win with a total of three home runs in all three rounds. A lot of great home run hitters would probably pass up the opportunity to compete in such a glamorous event because of the huge runway in the outfield.Petco Park is a pitcher’s park.

Not moving in the outfield fence would also create a low-scoring All-Star game, which will translate into bad television ratings because no one wants an All-Star game to end in a 2-1 pitcher’s duel.  Bad ratings equal less money for Major League Baseball and the television networks. Now, if the All-Star game ended 9-8 then we have something to talk about.

Lastly, not moving in the outfield fence will lead to more complaints about lack of home runs from players, coaches and Major League Baseball.

I could not think of a better place to hold the All-Star game. Petco Park has beautiful scenery, the downtown area is always buzzing and San Diego is a tourism mecca with the picturesque beaches, the World Famous San Diego Zoo and Sea World.

Is that fence too far away? (Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE)

Petco may be moved this offseason.  Depending on who you believe, it’s either a done deal or just being talked about.  No matter the case, the people of San Diego, and fans of the Padres around the country certainly have no shortage of opinions about this topic.

In a recent San Diego Union Tribune article about Sandy Alderson’s moving of the Citi Field fences in New York, many comparisons are made to San Diego.  Of course Alderson was part of the Padres organization before moving on to the Mets.  He was also responsible for shaving 11 feet off the right-centerfield in the original fence move.

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