When your offense consists of Alberto Gonzalez and Wade LeBlanc, that’s a problem. Thank goodness links are here to save the day…

• Ethical Bandwagon Jumping (Baseball Prospectus). Root for the Brewers; they already look like the Padres anyway… or vice versa. If you’re a fan of one team, you’re a fan of the other; come, let us not speak of Tony Gwynn Jr.
• Best closer ever? Try Trevor Hoffman (ESPN). I cringed when Ted Leitner made this claim during Hoffman’s retirement ceremony. Predictably (and justifiably), Yankees fans are taking offense. Mariano Rivera is the best closer ever, but — and this is the important part — Rivera’s achievements in no way diminish what Hoffman did in his career. So we can stop with the pissing contest already. [h/t BBTF]
• Thoughts on Trevor Time – Epilogue (Padres Trail). Mike shares his thoughts on the proceedings. He also reminds us that Cory Luebke has been very good this year… and way under the radar, even by San Diego standards.
• The Use Of Sabermetric Stats Makes Me Uncomfortable (Mop-Up Duty). Callum Hughson offers a thoughtful critique of sabermetrics.
• Texas notes: Gyorko keeps it simple (MiLB.com). Padres third base prospect Jedd Gyorko leads the minor leagues in hits. Gyorko will join Anthony Bass, James Darnell, and four other Padres farmhands in the Arizona Fall League after his current stint with the 90-win San Antonio Missions ends.
• Visualizing 2011 Draft Spending (FanGraphs). Reed MacPhail offers this interesting nugget: “Although the Red Sox, Padres, Blue Jays, Diamondbacks, and Rays all ranked near the top of the list in draft spending, given how many picks each team had, none of those teams spent a surprising amount.”
• Maybin has “Say Hey” experience (U-T). Cameron Maybin recently spent some time with Hall-of-Fame center fielder Willie Mays.
• The Art of Scouting: How to Compile a Professional Scouting Report (Beyond the Box Score). What it says… good stuff. [h/t BBTF]
• TYA Interview With Marc Carig (Yankee Analysts). The way information is transmitted — and received — continues to evolve. This is a thoughtful interview that contains some serious gems: “Treasure your fandom, because the more serious you become as a journalist, I find the more you lose the passion that only a fan can truly possess.” [h/t BBTF]
• Flanagan, a memorable man (ESPN). Former big-league left-hander Mike Flanagan, most known for his work with the Baltimore Orioles in the 1970s and ’80s, died on August 24. Tim Kurkjian reflects on Flanagan’s death, as do many others. Joe Posnanski pays tribute by remembering other crafty southpaws. My condolences to the family and friends of Mike Flanagan. [h/t reader Didi]
• Q&A with SaberWizard Tom Tango (Beyond the Box Score). Tango reminds us, among other things, that we should “try to understand why a team is doing what it’s doing: use their perspective, rather than use your own perspective as to why something is good or bad.”
• It’s not you, it’s me (Watson Files). I missed this earlier, but Dan Watson is no longer radio voice of the Fort Wayne TinCaps. It’s his choice… and our loss. Best of luck to Dan in his new role covering all manner of sports in Columbus, Ohio.
• What is Will Venable? (Inside the Padres). Venable will always frustrate observers because his physical gifts suggest greatness and he is merely a good baseball player. There is a disconnect between what he is and what our minds tell us he might be, which is unfortunate for Venable and for us.
• A look at team baserunning (SweetSpot). As you know, the Padres excel at running the bases. Christina Kahrl quantifies it for us.
• Standout Rookies We Didn’t See Coming (Baseball Nation). Rob Neyer believes Jesus Guzman’s offensive performance might not be a fluke. So does John Sickels. Guzman probably isn’t this good, but he can hit. Field? Not so much. [h/t reader Didi]
• Minor League Update: Open Thread Of Prospect Talk (Baseball Prospectus). Kevin Goldstein responds to reader questions about prospects, including the Padres’ Anthony Rizzo: “I still believe in him as a good every day first baseman with power and patience.” He also likes Rymer Liriano and Keyvius Sampson.
• A Midsummer Visit To The Baseball Hall of Fame (Padres, Chargers, Illini Blog). Who doesn’t love a good road trip to Cooperstown, especially one that includes a stop at Ommegang Brewery?
• Don’t blink (Inside the Padres). Tom Krasovic wonders if scouts have underestimated Austin Hedges’ offensive abilities. Here’s hoping…
• Select Your Own Journey – You Be The Manager! (Royals Review). This is probably as much fun as a Royals fan can have right about now. Yeah, like a Padres fan should talk… [h/t BBTF]