San Diego Padres in a limbo as free agent pitchers’ prices take a hike- MLB Update
The San Diego Padres plans on acquiring pitchers via free agent market have been affected by the high costs attached to these free agents. For now, the Padres are more interested in bolstering their starting rotation via trade route.
With pitchers such as Ryan Dempster signed by Boston Red Sox and Anibal Sanchez going to the Detroit Tigers, the number of free agent pitchers has reduced significantly and the deals they wish to have are more lucrative than it would have been earlier.
Josh Byrnes, the general manager for the Padres is aware of the situation and knows that in this case, such matters take place.
"Moves like these have some ripple effect and can change the landscape," Byrnes said.
He has hinted out that the Padres are looking to add a pitcher with a contract that does not go beyond three seasons. He is also aware that the fans are not very pleased with the fact that the San Diego ball club only has one name on the starting rotation
for now.
"I get it. I understand," Byrnes said. "But in markets like ours, some of the big stuff that happens during December is not at our podium. I think what we did in July had a big impact on how our offseason was going to be, keeping guys like [Carlos] Quentin,
[Huston] Street and [Chase] Headley," Josh said.
They have recently signed free agent Jason Marquis for a single year deal worth $3 million. The 34-year-old has been playing in the Majors for 12 years and has a 112-109 winning record with a 4.60 career ERA.
The general manager believes that the search for an external candidate will continue but they do have the resources to fill in the spots internally as well. The Padres are hopeful that they will have the services for Joe Wieland and Cory Luebke around the
midway point of the next season. Both of them have been out due to elbow surgeries.
The San Diego ball club will also be awaiting full fitness of Andrew Cashner, who injured his right thumb in a hunting accident. Cashner, who is primarily a relief pitcher, was expected to be making it to the opening rotation but will not be able to join
the team somewhere in late May or in June.
Josh Byrnes does know that the Padres cannot take it too easy as precious time can slip out of the fingers before they know it. "There's a risk in being too patient and we don't want a repeat of April and May, but if we can get into the season and return
to health, we'll have more firepower in-season," Byrnes said.
By the look of things, the Padres may have some struggle before they can fill all five starting rotation spots on the roster. They will most likely have to add a free agent and spring training should give them a very good idea where the team’s internal options
for the starting pitchers stand.
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