Two professional sports projects in San Diego County are among the construction projects likely to be curtailed by Thursday’s court decision upholding the Legislature’s move to abolish local redevelopment agencies and shift the money to the state government.

Without redevelopment funding, a plan for a 9000-seat baseball stadium in Escondido to lure a minor league team appears doomed. City officials had tentatively earmarked $50 million in redevelopment funds to build a venue for a San Diego Padres farm team now playing in Tucson.

Padres principal owner Jeff Moorad purchased the Portland Beavers and moved the team to Tucson for the 2011 season, with the goal of moving the team to Escondido once a park was built. If the Escondido move is not possible, Moorad has said he will probably sell the Tucson Padres.

In San Diego, the court decision ends any thought of using redevelopment funds to build a downtown football stadium for the San Diego Chargers to replace Qualcomm Stadium and keep the team from moving somewhere, like Los Angeles.

Without redevelopment funds, the city would be more dependent on bond funding or have to design a project in which a stadium is only part of an entertainment complex. Mayor Jerry Sanders has promised to unveil a financing plan by the end of March, with a public vote to follow.

The Chargers have floated the idea of a project that includes an expansion of the waterfront convention center and a new stadium nearby — although that project has critics.

“We never believed redevelopment money would be available once the Legislature and governor acted last year,” said Chargers spokesman Mark Fabiani. “Even had the court today ruled the other way, we felt the governor and Legislature would just have found some other way to get at the money. Hence our combined stadium-convention center expansion idea.”

–Tony Perry in San Diego

Photo: Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. Credit: Gregory Bull / Associated Press

 

The biggest trade of baseball’s offseason thus far sent the San
Diego Padres’ best pitcher away to the Cincinnati Reds one week
ago, delivering in return prospects and a reclamation project of a
starter.

The trade brings the Tucson Padres an everyday catcher and might
signal the trade of their most popular player. 

Here’s a hot stove look at how the deal shapes the Triple-A
club:

A new backstop. The trade of San Diego ace Mat Latos netted 2008
All-Star starting pitcher Edinson Volquez and three prospects:
first baseman Yonder Alonso, catcher Yasmani Grandal and reliever
Brad Boxberger.

Volquez and Alonso will certainly start the season in San Diego,
while Boxberger could pitch out of the big club’s bullpen. 

Read more about the Padres in Saturday’s Arizona Daily Star.

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers have acquired catcher Luis Martinez from the San Diego Padres for minor league pitcher Ryan Kelly.

Martinez batted .203 (12 for 59) in 22 games for San Diego with one homer and 10 RBIs. He homered for his first big league hit on July 27 against Arizona. A 12th round draft pick in 2007, Martinez hit .323 at Triple-A Tuscon in 58 games. He had one home run and 28 RBIs.

The Rangers added Martinez to the 40-man roster on Wednesday.

Kelly was 3-6 with a 3.95 ERA and nine saves in 40 appearances for Class-A Myrtle Beach last season. The 26-year-old right-hander was drafted by the Pirates in the 26th round in 2006.

Kelly will be assigned to Double-A San Antonio.

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ARLINGTON, Texas (AP)—The Texas Rangers have acquired catcher Luis
Martinez from the San Diego Padres for minor league pitcher Ryan Kelly.

Martinez batted .203 (12 for 59) in 22 games for San Diego with one homer
and 10 RBIs. He homered for his first big league hit on July 27 against Arizona.
A 12th round draft pick in 2007, Martinez hit .323 at Triple-A Tuscon in 58
games. He had one home run and 28 RBIs.

The Rangers added Martinez to the 40-man roster on Wednesday.

Kelly was 3-6 with a 3.95 ERA and nine saves in 40 appearances for Class-A
Myrtle Beach last season. The 26-year-old right-hander was drafted by the
Pirates in the 26th round in 2006.

Kelly will be assigned to Double-A San Antonio.