The Padres have designated 27-year old lefty outfielder Jeremy Hermida for assignment. Hermida played in 20 games for the Padres last year and he was 9 for 40 (.225 avg, .754 OPS) with 3 runs scored, 1 homer and 6 RBIs. He has played in 619 games in his first seven years in the majors and he is 511 of 1,988 (.257 avg, .749 OPS) with 246 runs scored, 65 homers, 248 RBIs and 21 stolen bases. Even if Hermida clears waivers, he’s going to reject an outright minor league assignment to become a free agent.

UPDATE: (12/13/2011) - The Padres have decided not to tender a contract to Jeremy Hermida for 2012, so he has become a free agent.

UPDATE II: (12/19/2011) - The Padres have re-signed Jeremy Hermida to a minor league deal.

The Rockies have acquired 28-year old righty closer Huston Street from the Rockies for a player to be named later. Street pitched in 62 games (0 starts) for the Rockies last year and he was 1-4 with 29 saves, a 3.86 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. He has now pitched in 417 games (0 starts) in his first 7 years in the majors and he is 30-21 with 178 saves, a 3.11 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. Street has only given up 354 hits in his first 436 1/3 innings in the majors while whiffing 441 batters, which shows you just how nasty he is. When you factor in that Street has only walked 111 batters so far in his career, he has been pretty darn impressive. I don’t look for that to change any with him pitching half his games at Petco Park. Street should be able to replace Heath Bell without missing a beat.

UPDATE: (12/9/2011) - The Padres have sent 26-year old righty starting pitcher Nick Schmidt to the Rockies to complete the Huston Street deal. Schmidt pitched in 14 games (all starts) in Rookie+A-ball last year for the Padres and he was 4-6 with a 3.91 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP.

The Padres have signed 30-year old righty reliever Dale Thayer to a minor league deal. Thayer pitched in 11 games (0 starts) for the Mets last year and he was 0-3 with a 3.48 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. He also pitched in 54 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball last year and he was 4-3 with 21 saves, a 2.66 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP. Thayer has now pitched in 23 games (0 starts) in his first three years in the majors and he is 0-3 with a 5.88 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. Thayer is the kind of pitcher who winds up finding himself and turns into a solid pitcher in San Deigo.

The Padres have signed 32-year old righty starter/reliever Matt Palmer to a minor league deal.  Palmer pitched in 3 games (all starts) for the Angels last year and he was 1-1 with a 5.74 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP.  He has now pitched in 60 games (20 starts) in his first four years in the major leagues and he is 13-7 with a 4.52 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP.  This is the kind of pitcher that usually rehabs his career with Bud Black, so I like this signing for the Padres.

The Padres have signed 29-year old lefty reliever Alex Hinshaw to a minor league deal.  Hinshaw pitched in 45 games (0 starts) in AA+AAA-ball for the Giants last year and he was 2-0 with 1 save, a 4.80 ERA and a 1.73 WHIP.  He last pitched in the majors back in 2009 with the Giants.  Hinshaw has now pitched in 57 games (0 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 2-1 with a 4.53 ERA and a 1.69 WHIP.  He will get a shot to make the 2012 Padres’ bullpen next spring.