Padres 2017 Rotation Starting to Come Into Focus

While there is still a month left to play of the 2016 season, the Padres are starting to get a sense of who might be able to help them in the rotation for 2017.

The Padres started the season with James Shields, Tyson Ross, Andrew Cashner, Colin Rea and Drew Pomeranz. Only one remains and he made just one start in Tyson Ross. Talk about moving on.

More from Padres News

• Fernando Tatis Jr. may not take to outfield move after Xander Bogaerts addition
• Padres News: Fernando Tatis Jr. trade rumors, Seth Lugo chase, Manny Machado
• Padres barely missed out on high-end veteran starting pitcher
• This veteran DH target seems ideal for contending Padres roster
• Padres got steal with Xander Bogaerts after Carlos Correa’s mega-deal

Tyson Ross, barring any further setbacks, should be back for 2017 and surely the ace. The Padres still don’t project to be very good in 2017 as a whole though they will be bringing a slew of prospects hopes and have to be ready to endure those growing pains.

Clayton Richard has been good in a handful of starts and it would be great to have a left-handed arm like him in the rotation. He projects more like an Eric Stults though in my opinion (innings, ERA around 4) than a Drew Pomeranz surprise.

Jarred Cosart is an optimistic piece in my opinion and curious what he can do his final month of auditioning in San Diego after coming over for Andrew Cashner. Paul Clemens and Christian Friedrich are other intriguing options who got auditions in San Diego this season but didn’t show a lot of consistency.

Even before Tuesday – but surely – Edwin Jackson will not be a part of the rotation and move on to yet another major league team. Brandon Morrow has quietly come up and not allowed a run yet in relief for the Padres. Whether he can project into the rotation again would be interesting.

Next: Ugly Padres August for the Offense

Brandon Maurer also lurks as an option. Remember he tried to make the rotation this spring before losing that battle to Drew Pomeranz. Could he try again? While he has been serviceable as the closer, I don’t see that as a long term role for him on the team. A month left for the Padres to start figuring things our or looking to the free agent market.