As the San Diego Padres continue their search for an additional starting pitcher, one name that has stuck out as a potential trade candidate is Detroit Tigers’ starting pitcher Rick Porcello.
Porcello is in an odd situation with the Tigers, as the team has six qualified starting pitchers but only one available spot left in their rotation. Led by veteran hurlers Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Doug Fister and newly signed right-hander Anibal Sanchez, the final spot in the rotation will either go to Porcello or lefty Drew Smyly.
Smyly put together a respectable rookie season in 2012, so it looks like Porcello could be the odd man out.
The Padres could benefit from a pitcher like Porcello in their lineup.
With only two starters last season (Clayton Richard and Edinson Volquez) that pitched over 180 innings, the Padres are in desperate need of a workhorse pitcher that can stay healthy and take them late into games.
Porcello has averaged 174 innings over the last four seasons and is just the kind of innings eater that the Padres need. He is also a ground ball-inducing pitcher who should fare well in spacious Petco Park. With an above-average fastball and a decent arsenal of pitches at his disposal, Porcello would be a wonderful addition to the Padres rotation.
He is only 23 and could benefit from the tutelage of Padres’ pitching coach Darren Balsley as well as manager Bud Black, who was also a former pitcher.
In my eyes, Porcello is the ideal trade candidate for GM Josh Bynes and could make a fine addition to the Padres staff for many years to come.
Who else do you think the Padres should trade for, should signing a free-agent acquisition prove to be too costly?
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