Jeff Moorad buys the Padres

January 3, 10:35 PMSan Diego Padres ExaminerJudson Green

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Jeff Moorad is ready to be a Padre.

Jeff Moorad has swept in to save the day. Even with the Peavy trade talks halted for the time being, a fire sale was still in progress, and with John Moores formally announcing the sale of the club, the future of the franchise was uncertain. The cloud of gloom hanging over the Padres still lingered.

 But Moorad jumped at what he saw as an opportunity, giving Padres fans a chance to adjust to new ownership early, rather that wait and worry. Thus far, the club has only reached an agreement in principle with Moorad, who emphasizes that the club is still the Moores's until the papers have been signed. "John and Becky (Moores) remain the primary owners of the Padres. I have no influence at all, nor will I have any influence on any of their personnel decisions," said Moorad, according to a Jan. 2 report by Tim Sullivan in the San Diego Union-Tribune. The price is estimated to be about $400 million, according to Tom Krasovic's report, and Moorad says he "would have the largest financial stake in the Padres."

This means Moorad is powerless yet to influence any deals for the Padres. Peavy could still be traded, even with stability seemingly right around the corner. But the presence of Moorad and his team of investors gives the fans hope that the 2009 season may not be as bad as originally feared.

Moorad is a Southern California native, hailing from Modesto. He says the group he leads would "be a West Coast group with representation from the San Diego area," according to a Jan. 2 report by Tom Krasovic in the San Diego Union-Tribune. He made his name in sports agency, founding Moorad Sports Management and making his way into player representation. When five members of the 1984 U.S. Olympic team, including former MLB All-Star Will Clark, signed with Moorad, his career took off. But his wisest business decision was partnering with Leigh Steinberg. The two negotiated $3 billion dollars in player contracts during their 18 years together.

After Steinberg left, Moorad served as the sole head of what he renamed Moorad Sports Management until 2004, when he decided to take his shot at ownership in baseball. With MLB's approval, he became part-owner, general partner, and CEO of the Arizona Diamondbacks from 2005 until his decision on Jan. 2 to resign from the club in order to pursue the Padres.

Moorad's aggressiveness in making his offer is beneficial to the Padres and their fans. Otherwise, doubt would have set in the minds of potential buyers. The value of the club would have dropped. His enthusiasm for the prospect of being majority owner of what he calls "a jewel of a franchise" allows some comfort room. The future of the franchise is still uncertain. But it's a lot more stable than before.