Brandon Morrow Signs With Padres

According to MLB.com’s Corey Brock, the San Diego Padres have agreed to a one-year deal with free-agent Brandon Morrow. Morrow, 30, the fifth pick in the first round of 2006 Draft out of UC Berkeley, pitched in 13 games for Toronto in 2014, going 1-3 with a 5.67 ERA. However, the right-hander has been restricted to a total 87 ⅔ innings the last two years as a result of a right forearm strain and torn sheath in his throwing hand. 

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MLB Fox Reporter Ken Rosenthal reported that the deal is in the range of $2.5 million, and incentive-laden.

In eight seasons with Seattle and Toronto, Morrow has gone 42-43 with a 4.28 ERA.

His best years came between 2010-2013, when he was used primarily as a starter, going 31-25, and posting a career best 2.96 ERA in 2012. However, Morrow has been on the disabled list five times, four of those coming over the last four seasons.

According to Brock, Morrow’s preference is to start.

Add Morrow and the Padres now have Andrew Cashner, Tyson Ross, Ian Kennedy, Odrisamer Despaigne, Jesse Hahn and Robbie Erlin all battling for one of five spots.

The pitching surplus logically could lead to further offensive upgrades via trade(s), specifically to address critical needs in the outfield and possibly at first.