Peavy's agent and Padres general manager Kevin Towers have said Peavy could easily end up pitching for the Padres next season and beyond. Stayed tuned, it should be interesting to see what develops -- if it's anything at all -- in the coming weeks. Now, to the mailbag.

Do you see Charlie Haeger making the team next year? Is it possible he can help the team pitching in the rotation or coming out of the bullpen?
-- Coy C., Detroit

Haeger, claimed off waivers in September from the White Sox, didn't exactly blow the Padres away with his 4 1/3 innings of work in the final month of the season (16.62 ERA, five walks, two home runs). But that's not much of a sample size and, in all fairness to the knuckleballer, Haeger hadn't pitched much in the month leading up to his acquisition. He'll get a chance to win a spot on the team. I don't know if he's in the mix for a spot in the rotation, though if Josh Geer needs elbow surgery, the Padres can't really afford to turn their back on any starting candidate.

With the National League West being up in the air every year, why are the Padres going into rebuilding mode? They are three or four players away from being a division winner again. I don't think they can find an in-house starter and major bat.
-- Sean H., Dallas

No one has come outright and said the team is rebuilding. The Padres played a lot of their young players in the second half of last season because it was apparent the team was not going to challenge for the postseason. It's no secret the payroll will be down from 2007, maybe in the $55 million range (it was $73.7 million in 2008). I think you're right: The team is only a few players away from making a run at the NL West, but so are the other teams in the topsy-turvy division. But let's say the Padres add arms to the bullpen, a No. 3 starter, and also get a big bounce-back year from Khalil Greene. I have to think that would significantly improve the team.

Have a question about the Padres? E-mail your query to MLB.com Padres beat reporter Corey Brock for possible inclusion in a future Inbox column. Letters may be edited for brevity, length and/or content. First Name, Last Initial: Hometown: Email Address: Question:

Do you think Mark Prior will return to the Padres for either the second or third spot in the starting rotation?
-- Shane K., Lakewood, Calif.

Prior's agent said this week that Prior, a San Diego native, would like to pitch for the Padres next season. But Prior, who signed a one-year, $1 million deal with the Padres in December, would only likely return on a Minor League contract, Towers said this week. Prior is coming off surgery on his shoulder in June, though he is feeling good, according to his agent, and has already started playing catch. I'm not sure Prior will get a Major League deal, but, everything being equal, he could end up with the Padres. As far as competing for a spot in the rotation, his success in Spring Training and his health will determine that.

Has there been any noise on who will be the next hitting coach? They need someone who can teach the young guys situational hitting. There have been too many first-pitch swings.
-- Dwayne P., Tucson, Ariz.

As we reported earlier this month, the Padres will make an official announcement in the next week or so that they've hired former Major League manager Jim Lefebvre as the new hitting coach. Lefebvre has a long and varied background and has recently been a Minor League hitting instructor in the Padres system, so he knows their philosophy and has worked with several of their young hitters before. These were important factors for the Padres.