According to sources, Brandon Morrow is Petco Park bound
The San Diego Padres continue their offseason with the addition of right handed pitcher Brandon Morrow.
Source: The #Padres have signed RHP Brandon Morrow to a one-year contract. Team has not confirmed.
— Corey Brock (@FollowThePadres) December 16, 2014Methinks adding Morrow (low-risk, upside move) to provide rotation depth -- possibly a precursor to the #Padres moving pieces for a bat.
— Corey Brock (@FollowThePadres) December 16, 2014This should be interesting. As I said in the article about the Padres making the offer to Morrow last week, his presence in the starting rotation would allow for the opportunity to go after offensive help. That help may be found in Justin Upton of the Atlanta Braves. But that's in the possible future for the Padres. For now, the Padres add Morrow to their already capable pitching staff.
Unfortunately, this signing does not come without more risk than usual. Morrow's injury history places some kind of doubt as to what type of pitcher could be heading to San Diego. Here's a bit from the article about the Padres offer to Morrow on Gaslamp Ball
Brandon Morrow, a 30 year old starting pitcher has had his share of setbacks as of late. As Rosenthal states in his tweet, Morrow only has 87 2/3 innings to show for 2 full seasons worth of baseball. In June 2013, Morrow was sidelined with a right forearm strain followed by a setback associated with it, then he was diagnosed with an entrapped radial nerve in his right forearm that kept him out for the rest of 2013. This past season, Morrow suffered a torn tendon sheath in his right hand in May that kept him sidelined until September when he returned as a reliever. Toronto declined Morrow's $10 million option for 2015 thus making him a free agent.
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Morrow has a career 4.28 ERA with 42-43 record through 8 seasons in the majors. In 2011, his only season with over 30 starts, Morrow finished with an 11-11 record and 203 strikeouts.
For now, we can only hope that Morrow will be able to pitch to his fullest potential. What has also been mentioned is that Morrow prefers to start so that is obviously something that will become a reality since I doubt he'd sign with the Padres if they didn't put that on the table.
For me, this signing shows that the Padres are still working to get deals done. Especially ones that look to be foreshadowing a bigger, more dramatic move. A.J. Preller is working hard to make this a December to remember.
Update
Morrow's deal with the #Padres: $2.5 million guarantee + chance to earn $5 million in bonuses for starting and $1 million for relieving.
— Corey Brock (@FollowThePadres) December 16, 2014That part about relieving is interesting. Like if he doesn't work out as a starter, the Padres could put him in the bullpen and still allow him an opportunity to get incentives.