The Kevin Towers Non-Star Team

In honor of Jed Hoyer's first season as the Padres GM, here's the Kevin Towers Non-Star Team, taken from players KT missed out on since '02. Included is a full lineup, 3 SP's, and a Closer. And a full disclaimer: It's completely ridiculous to look back and say who KT & co. should have drafted. But, since we're obviously ignoring how unfair this is, it also wouldn't be hard to find players even better than the ones listed. Okay, enough rambling, here's the team:

SS Yunel Escobar (passed over in the ’05 Draft for Cesar Carrillo)

2B Jason Bartlett (traded to the Twins for Brian Buchanan)

RF Nick Markakis (passed over in the ’03 Draft for Tim Stauffer

LF Jason Bay (traded to the Pirates with Oliver Perez for Brian Giles)

1B Adam Lind (passed over in the '04 Draft for William Killian)

CF Shane Victorino (sent back to the Dodgers after being selected in the Rule 5 Draft)

C Taylor Teagarden (passed over in the ’05 Draft for Josh Geer)

3B David Freese (traded to the Cardinals for Jim Edmonds)

Justin Verlander (passed over in the ’04 Draft for Matt Bush)

Joba Chamberlain (passed over in the '06 Draft for Matt Antonelli)

Cole Hamels (passed over in the ’02 Draft for Khalil Greene)

Joakim Soria (taken by the Kansas City Royals in the '06 Rule 5 Draft)

Welcome to San Diego, Jed Hoyer. Welcome to a varied (yet consistent) history of failure.

But, we still have faith, faith that Everth Cabrera, Mat Latos, Kyle Blanks and Donavan Tate won't be joining the Jed Hoyer Non-Star Team in a few years.

So, my 2010 Season Prediction, you ask? Here it is: Hoyer will start to turn things around.

Hoyer... will start... to turn things... around. (I really believe this.)