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Padres New: Padres Sign Bud Norris; Designate Dale Thayer and Taylor Lindsey

By Tim Richer

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Today the Padres announced that they had signed RHP Bud Norris for the remainder of the 2015 season. To make room on the 40 man and 25 man rosters for Norris and tonight’s starter, Colin Rea, the Padres placed Brandon Maurer on the 15 day DL and designated Dale Thayer and Taylor Lindsey for assignment.

This season Norris has a record of 2-9 with a 7.06 ERA in 18 games (11 starts). It’s been the worst year of his career by far. Just last year he posted an ERA of 3.65 in 28 starts and even made 2 postseason starts. Coming into the year he had a career ERA of 4.23, which isn’t all that considering he’s pitched most of his career with the bandbox that is Minute Maid Park as his home ballpark. While Norris has been a starter for the majority of his career, according to Corey Brock of MLB.com Norris’ role will most likely be out of the bullpen.

This move makes little to no sense to me. What does Norris offer to the team that Dale Thayer, Nick Vincent or any other right handed arm already in the organization doesn’t? Maybe Preller believes he can return to the pitcher he had been in years past, and getting him into the organization now will give them a leg up on signing him this offseason. If that is the plan, then be prepared for an underwhelming 2016. The only way Norris can make this team is if the fire sale that was predicted to happen at the trade deadline happens this offseason and the Padres need warm bodies to fill out the rotation; if he commits to being a reliever full time and blows us away in the last month and a half of the season.

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As for Thayer, it’s sad to see the righty with the wild hair go. He’d been one of the Padres’ most reliable relievers since 2012, but this season he hadn’t been quite as sharp. Since the start of June he’s pitched in 16 games with a 5.74 ERA while walking over 5 batters per 9 innings. It hasn’t been pretty, so its understandable that the Padres would want to move on from him, but for Norris it seems a little unnecessary.

Lindsey was once a top prospect with the Angels and a big piece of the Huston Street deal last year. Since coming over from the Angels he’s failed to impress. Last season he finished out the year playing 41 games for AAA El Paso, hitting just .219/.270/.315. Then in his first 44 games with El Paso this season, he hit just .178/.262/.308 earning him a demotion to AA where he hasn’t done a whole lot better. While he’s been horrible I wouldn’t be shocked if a team with an open 40 man spot claims him. He was a top prospect just last year, so some team might be willing to give him another shot.

Next: Despaigne Returns to the Bullpen

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