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The Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to part ways with starting pitcher Chris Capuano by buying out his mutual option in the offseason. That means Capuano will be free to sign with any team that is willing to have him. One team in particular that could certainly use a veteran arm at the backend of their rotation is the San Diego Padres.
The Padres are fortunate to have starters Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross emerge as legitimate threats in the rotation. Not to mention, the addition of Ian Kennedy means San Diego should be in good hands next season. Cashner and Ross formed quite the duo as neither player had higher than a 3.06 earned run average the past season. There are certainly high hopes for the two pitchers to help lead the Padres to greener pastures.
The fact is the top three starters on the team will be able to do only so much. Eric Stults is expected to stay in the rotation as well after a decent performance in 2013. However, San Diego is still missing the last piece to the puzzle. It is true they could stay in-house and promote within the organization but it might be wiser to bring in a veteran starter.
Capuano is not someone who is going to blow batters away, although he did strike out at least 162 hitters in two of his last three seasons. He also is not going to put up jaw-dropping numbers. However, what he will do is be an efficient pitcher who can limit damage, especially if he tosses a majority of his games at pitcher-friendly Petco Park. The other plus is that San Diego could get him for a decent price.
