Padres Trade Nick Vincent, Bullpen Taking Shape

By Daryll Dorman | Apr 1, 2016

Jun 7, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres pitcher Nick Vincent (50) throws the ball in the 7th inning against the Washington Nationals at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Stan Liu-USA TODAY Sports /

The Padres still have not figured out who the 4th and 5th pitchers will be in the starting rotation, but Wednesday they traded away veteran reliever Nick Vincent to the Seattle Mariners for a player to be named later. Vincent made the walk across the Peoria Sports Complex to Mariners camp Wednesday morning, then stared down his former teammates in a 1-2-3 Thursday inning for Seattle.

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Vincent had spent his entire career with the Padres since being drafted in 2008. Vincent seemed in shock according to ESPN when the trade was first announced: “Right now I’m just in shock still. It’s not too strange right now but I’m sure once I get in the game, my first game in Texas, and look down and see my Mariners shirt I’m sure it will be a little different, but I think for me, when I get on the mound it’s go out and do your job.”

Vincent only appeared in 26 games last year and only allowed 6 ER in 23 innings pitched, but is now guaranteed an Opening Day Bullpen spot for the revamped Mariners looking to compete in the crowded NL West. He is reunited with Joaquin Benoit and former Padres outfielder Seth Smith on the Mariners.

For the Padres there just wasn’t a place for Vincent in their bullpen according to Preller. Fernando Rodney will start the season as the closer, with either Kevin Quackenbush or Brandon Maurer taking care of the immediate set-up needs of the club. Jon Edwards will open the year on the DL and also is a candidate for either a set-up or backup closer role.

The fourth and fifth spots in the rotation is down to essentially Colin Rea, Robbie Erlin and Drew Pomeranz. Whoever doesn’t make it in the rotation will likely end up in the bullpen, particularly between the two lefties Erlin and Pomeranz.

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In Vincent’s appearance Thursday, he struck out James Shields and was excited to get his nerves out and back to focusing on baseball:

“It’s a little weird,” said Vincent “It was easier today than it was yesterday. It’s part of the game. Everybody gets traded. It’s a business. I’m just excited to see what I can do for this team this year.”. It is always fun when a San Diego native gets to play for his hometown Padres, and Vincent put in some good time with the Padres. He has a chance to excel in spacious Safeco Field which might be one field with more of a pitchers park than Petco. We wish him the best – just not against the Padres when the two clubs meet up the end of May.

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