Jon Garland to the Duds

San Diego Padres free agent pitcher signed a contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend. He signed for a one-year $5 million contract with an option next year. The option is for $8 million and is automatically picked up if he pitches 190 innings.

Garland turned down the $6.75 million option that the Padres had this season and decided to move up north. The Padres will pick up a supplemental draft pick with him signing with the Dodgers.

The Padres will be looking to find a veteran starting pitcher this offseason to eat up the innings that Garland took. Garland was not spectacular, but he was reliable and provided relief for the bullpen when it was his turn to pitch.

There are a few candidates that we can look to fill his spot. Playing half our games in PETCO Park is an attractive commodity to starting pitchers, especially pitchers that need something to prove. I can see the Padres in a conversations with pitchers like Kevin Millwood and Brandon Webb. Both are veteran pitchers that still have some stuff left in the tank and can eat up some innings. Let’s see what our man Jed Hoyer has up his sleeve.