Papa Grande is back! MLB Trade Rumors report that the San Diego Padres were active on the signing front Saturday. The Friars signed three pitchers, highlighted by one-time top closer Jose Valverde. Scott Elbert and Marcos Mateo join Papa Grande in signing minor league deals with San Diego.
Valverde is three years removed from leading the American League in saves. Papa Grande, known for his highly animated antics on the mound, saved 49 games in 2011 for the Detroit Tigers, marking the second time he lead all of baseball in saves (he led the MLB with 47 for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2007). Valverde became one of the rare people to lead their respective league in saves with three different teams, as he led the NL in saves with the Houston Astros with 44 in 2008.
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Valverde has been in a tailspin since his monster 2011 season, however. In 2012, his WHIP raised nearly a full point above his average of the previous five seasons and he began to allow more runs, posting his highest ERA in five years. He then imploded in the post season allowing 9 runs to cross in just 2.2 combined innings of work. The following 2013 season, Valverde fell off the map. His signature velocity was down almost 4 miles per hour and he couldn’t find the strike zone. He appeared in just 12 games for the Tigers that season before signing a minor league deal with the Mets in 2014. He showed even more regression, posting a career worst 5.66 ERA and career high 1.645 WHIP. Now, the Padres bring him back with an invite to spring training, most likely to serve as a veteran presence during the preseason.
Elbert is a 29-year old lefty who has been up and down the Los Angeles Dodgers system since 2004. The former first round draft pick, selected 17th overall in the 2004 draft, has proven to be useful out of the bullpen in the MLB. He was as solid out of the pen for the Dodgers in 2011 and 2012, posting sub-2.50 ERAs both years, but was out all of 2013 after Tommy John surgery. He looked close to top form in a limited role in 2014.
Marcus Mateo, the 30-year old right hander who most recently appeared in the majors on the Chicago Cubs in 2011, was signed out of the Dominican Republic by the Cincinnati Reds in 2004. He began his early career as a swingman, both starting and coming out of the bullpen, but has become solely a relief option over the past few seasons.
All three stand an outside chance of sticking come April, with Elbert probably having the best odds. His flair is enjoyable to watch, at 36 years of age, Papa Grande may unfortunately not be able to regain that magic he once had. With former Detroit bullpen-mate Joaquin Benoit locked in as closer and Kevin Quackenbush a solid set-up man, he will have to have an amazing spring training to break camp.