Padres Struggling to Fill Rotation with Holes

The Padres might need more innings from Christian Bethancourt to finish out the 2016 season in the rotation. After trading Drew Pomeranz away, the Padres need some arms. Who deserves the next look?

Let us not forget that we are counting Luis Perdomo as a solidified member of this rotation, and you remember that just because you are rebuilding doesn’t mean you can stop playing nine innings in the meantime.

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The first place you look is AAA, right? The El Paso Chihuahuas leaders in games started are Daniel McCutchen, Jeremy Guthrie, and Carlos Pimentel. Except now Guthrie is gone, McCutchen is 33 with an ERA over 5 and Pimentel is close to 6. Not so good there.

There is Major League journeyman Edwin Jackson, who has managed nearly 13 innings in 3 starts and has pitched for 11 other major league teams. No easy task for a guy who is only 32.

The Padres were prepared for this as they saw the trajectory of a Pomeranz trade emerging, and also traded for Paul Clemens recently as well, not to mention Erik Johnson who has already hit the DL after a few unimpressive starts.

Padres General Manager A.J. Preller acknowledged “I think it’s going to be a challenge for our scouts,” Preller said. “After we made the [Pomeranz trade], Pete DeYoung, our pro director, immediately sent out an email to our scouting group about finding the next Pomeranz-type guy.

“I think throughout the organization there have been some guys who have stepped up, and I think those guys will get opportunities.”

Just who those guys are remains to be seen and if in any way it will help the Padres figure out their future or simply fill innings until the end of the season. Brandon Morrow is in AAA but has only made two starts, largely being used a reliever since early May.

Next: Drew Pomeranz Traded to Red Sox

So for right now we have Andrew Cashner, Christian Friedrich, Colin Rea, and Luis Perdomo. Rea and Friedrich. Tyson Ross might be back for a few starts to finish out the year and Cashner is just as likely to join the “traded Padres starters” parade. Though the Padres are largely have seen to be winners in the trade of Drew Pomeranz and the minor league system is markedly better than 12 months ago – that won’t help in 2016.

Let’s not forget that Bethancourt is unscored upon in nearly two innings of pitching.