Padres Trade Wade LeBlanc to Marlins for John Baker

The Miami Marlins acquired left-handed pitcher Wade LeBlanc from the San Diego Padres yesterday in exchange for catcher John Baker.  LeBlanc will compete for a spot in the back of Miami’s 2012 rotation while Baker will become the Padres backup behind the plate.

Miami entered the offseason indicating that one of their main goals was to increase their pitching depth.  While LeBlanc may not be Gio Gonzalez or C.J. Wilson, he is another arm to add to their team.

Over his four seasons with the Padres, LeBlanc has maintained a career 4.54 ERA.  The 27-year-old had his best season in 2009, when he went 3-1 with a 3.69 over his nine starts and 46 1/3 innings pitched.  LeBlanc finished 2011 with an earned run average of 4.63, starting 14 games for the Padres.

Marlins president of baseball operations told reporters that they saw the move as “an opportunity to add some pitching depth”.  Beinfest did admit that the LeBlanc deal will not end Miami’s search for arms but that the team will continue seeking additional starting pitching.

Baker, who’s spent four seasons with the Marlins, is a career .271/.356/.401 hitter.  Padres general manager Josh Byrnes likes what Baker has to offer at the plate and in working with a pitching staff.  Byrnes said his club now feels their “catching position is a lot stronger”.

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