Thursday, January 21, 2010

Padilla? Padilla? That's All, Folks?

The Dodgers just re-signed midseason scrap heap pickup Vicente Padilla for one year, $5M:

The Dodgers finally completed their search for a fourth starter, re-signing Vicente Padilla to a one-year, $5.025 million contract after the veteran right-hander became a key member of their starting rotation down the stretch last season.

Padilla, 32, will join a rotation that includes fellow holdovers Chad Billingsley, Hiroki Kuroda and Clayton Kershaw.

The signing leaves lefties Eric Stults and Scott Elbert, knuckleballer Charlie Haeger, newcomer Carlos Monasterios and non-roster veteran Russ Ortiz to compete for the fifth spot.

The Dodgers signed Padilla on Aug. 19, shortly after the Texas Rangers released him. Padilla went 4-0 with a 3.20 ERA in eight appearances, seven of them starts. [...]

Padilla will receive a $4.025 million base salary in 2010 and a $1 million signing bonus payable in 2011.

Well, it sure as heck isn't Joel Pineiro (bagged by the Angels for two years, $16M). I thought Ned was in for someone bigger, given the chasm left by Randy Wolf. But at least it isn't Braden Looper, I suppose. I'll take it--especially since we've got one more big hole to fill.

Welcome back, Vicente!

I have been waiting for months to use that headline. For that alone, I'm excited for the signing!

13 comments:

Neeebs (The Original) said...

I think Padilla will have a very Wolf-like year ('09) this upcoming season.

We can deal with an in-house fifth starter.

We really need to shore up that bench and get some sock on the pine.

Fred's Brim said...

Battletoad is Back!

does the contract prohibit from hanging out at shooting ranges?

Josh S. said...

If he pitches at least as well as he did in late 2009, and Joe doesn't lose his mind again thinking VPad is the ace of the staff, I will be happy with this signing.

Steve Sax said...

Battletoad. I like that!

Wesley Vento said...

Do I get credit for Battletoad? Because I'm taking it either way.

Sax, the title of this post is GENIUS. Can't stop laughing.

Fred's Brim said...

yes, I was about to say somebody else dropped that last season

Wesley Vento said...

The article sited (cited?) says that Stultz, Elbert, Haeger, Monasterios and Ortiz (NO!!!) are vying for the 5th spot. Have they given up on James McDonald? I really like the nickname J-Mac, so I'd like to see the kid do well so I can keep using it.

Josh S. said...

MacDizzle is destined to be in the bullpen as long as Torre's in charge.

rbnlaw said...

I'll take Padilla. Now let's see if he can control the crazy. . .and the beanball.

Jason said...

Well, if J-Mac can just lay off the athletic tape (5th paragraph), he might still have a shot. In a Torre rotation, everyone gets a shot at being #5. Unfortunately, the order in which each pitcher gets is shot is inverse to his ability.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Big thing with V-Pad is having his former manager at the 3B helm. Bowa certainly knows how to keep crazy in check, by which I mean, he knows how to keep himself in check.

dms@blogspot.com said...

VPad was the best option this late in the offseason - a comfortable fit for a year at that price. I'm fine with the choice. BUT, is he really the veteran presence the young arms need? Is there money left to add Smoltz? HE is a veteran to influence Bills and Kershaw and would fit great in the role that Jeff Weaver held last season (assuming he'd be willing).

Kyle Baker said...

Speaking of Jeff Weaver, wouldn't Jeff Weaver be a good fit for the role that Jeff Weaver played last season? (Did I miss his signing with anyone else yet?) I thought he was an unheralded life saver last season who got far too little respect. Dream Weaver got us out of numerous jams created by our kiddie corps pitchers when they were having a bad outing, was spot starter when needed, and all around cool daddy-o.