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December 11, 2012

Western Front

Padres Break Bank, Won't Pay to Have it Fixed

by Geoff Young

The Padres have been huge players so far this offseason, acquiring Brandon Kloess, A.J. Kirby-Jones, Tyson Ross, and Wilfredo Boscan in trades, and signing free agents Travis Buck and Jason Marquis. This has the potential to upset the balance of power in the National League West.

Such are the problems when a new ownership group comes in and starts flinging money like there's an endless supply of the green stuff. Drop enough Lincolns and other teams reflexively recoil in fear. It is impossible to deny the intimidation factor that accompanies such brash spending. Opponents feel deflated and stop trying to compete. This is great for the Padres, but think of the poor Dodgers and Giants to the north. What will become of them?

Jason Marquis
The marquee (pardon the pun) signing was Marquis, who starred for San Diego last summer after being discarded by the pitching-rich Minnesota Twins. The Padres coaxed the 34-year-old right-hander to return on a one-year, $3 million deal, proving that San Diego not only is the gateway to Tijuana but also is serious about winning.

Marquis' résumé overwhelms:

• Owner of a .507 career winning percentage, highest among pitchers who have thrown between 1,803 and 1,804 innings (Herm Wehmeier is currently second at .460)
• Former All-Star who pitched in the playoffs for four different teams
• NL leader with 35 homers (allowed, but still) in 2006
• League leader in losses and earned runs that year; more is better
• Co-leader (Livan Hernandez, Greg Maddux) among NL pitchers with 21 putouts in 2004
• Silver Slugger winner in 2005 thanks to a .310 batting average and 10 RBI
• Taken 11 picks ahead of former MVP Jimmy Rollins in the 1996 draft; so on one level you have the MVP, and on a whole other level you have Marquis

I could go on, but you get the idea. This is a unique talent. Literally no one else can make all of the above claims. To get these seven bullet points for $3 million—that's less than $500,000 per bullet point. In this market? Crazy!

If the Padres can spend $3 million on Marquis, what else might they do? The mind boggles. Marquis, though, isn't the whole story. Fans have myriad other reasons to be excited about this team.