San Diego Padres: What players will the team deal at the deadline?
Stats: 11 starts, 68.2 IP, 4.33 ERA, 3.96 FIP, 1.427 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9, 6.6 K/9
Contract Situation: Free agent after 2017
The now 33-year-old Richard had a resurgent 2016 campaign after he was picked up by the San Diego Padres when he was released by the Chicago Cubs. In his 11 appearances (nine starts) with his current club the soft-tossing lefty pitched to a 2.52 ERA.
This season, Richard’s stats have regressed back to what they probably should be. Although he did post great numbers last year, the Padres starter didn’t have great peripheral numbers, striking out just 5.7 hitters per nine innings in 2016, while walking exactly four batters per nine.
Still, Richard represents a solid option that starting pitching-needy teams can look toward if they want a veteran hurler to eat some innings. Every trade season starting pitchers’ values rise because of injuries to contending teams’ pitching staffs.
The injury problem has continued to hit upper-echelon ballclubs, so there could be enough competition for the Padres to get reasonable value to their soon-to-be-free agent.
Verdict: Deal
Potential Suitors: Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels, Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, Arizona Diamondbacks