Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Reaction: Jon Garland + PETCO = Joy?

The Padres hope so.  They signed Jon Garland to a 1-year, $4.7 million deal (plus more potentially) today, giving them a pitcher that will fit like a glove in their monstrosity of a ballpark.

I've heard numerous people call Garland "league-average", and I suppose that could be true.  His last 3 ERA+s?  111, 91, 111.  Not bad, not great, which I suppose does make him league-average.

However, I look at his K to BB ratios over the last 3 years (1.79, 1.53, 1.72) and I don't see a league-average pitcher.  But, he's comfortably in the NL now, in the best pitcher's park the game offers.

There simply isn't much to say here.  San Diego spent some money--all the poor teams are doing it, just ask Oakland, Pittsburgh and Florida--and they spent it wisely, I guess. 

Garland doesn't have the downside risk of Ben Sheets--but he also doesn't have the upside.  He's a 4.30-ish ERA pitcher in the weaker league.  Perhaps he jumps out to a nice start, wins some games and hits the break with about a 3.70 ERA.  Could San Diego flip him to a contender?  Absolutely.

They didn't spend too much, and they aren't expecting a whole lot.  Jon Garland's a decent pitcher, and he's being paid like one.  I wish there was more to say, but alas.

Adam wishes he could say more.  He knows you can say all you want, and he'd like to hear it adamdadkins@gmail.com.

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