Benny Sieu-US Presswire
The San Diego Padres have interest in Shaun Marcum. It would be a very wise move for the Padres to sign Marcum if he is healthy. According to reports Marcum isn’t interesting resigning with the Milwaukee Brewers which leaves the door wide open for the Padres.
I have always been impressed with Marcum since I saw him pitch for the Toronto Blue Jays. He is a good pitcher and hasn’t pitched terribly in the National League since his trade to the Brewers in 2010. In the 2012 season with the Brewers, Marcum was 7-4. He appeared in 21 starts and posted a 3.70 ERA in 124 innings. He also had a 35.4% ground ball rate with his pitches. In his seven year career Marcum is 57-36. He has a career ERA of 3.76 in 916.2 innings and has a 38.7% ground ball rate.
Marcum did miss two months of the 2012 season with elbow tightness. Something that should be a concern to the Padres is the fact that Marcum’s fastball velocity dropped. His fastball was below 90mph in 2012. His average fastball was clocked at 86.5mph which could be a red flag.
If Marcum is deemed healthy he is well worth the risk for the Padres. They don’t have much in their starting rotation in 2013. In 2012 their two pitchers who were there “studs” were Clayton Richard and Eric Stults. Richard was 14-14 and had an ERA of 3.99 in 218.2 innings and he was the Padres number one pitcher in their rotation. Stults who was their number five was 8-3 with an ERA of 2.92 in 92.1 innings pitched. Marcum would immediately factor into the starting rotation for the Padres.
I don’t think the Padres are going to win the NL West in 2013 seeing as the San Francisco Giants are still the cream of the crop in that division. The Padres will also have to face a much improved Los Angeles Dodgers team. However, if I were the Padres I would make a run at Marcum if he is healthy. A solid starting pitching rotation always helps a team out.
They have nothing to lose, might as well take the risk. The reward is worth it.
What do you think? Let me know and follow me on Twitter @EvanCrum1319
