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By: Fred Zinkie
San Diego can maximize Garland's potential.
The Padres got a steal in Jon Garland. His contract is reasonable and he should be able to eat innings for them and enjoy some success because of Petco Park. His one-year contract also makes him a good trade commodity in July when contenders are looking to fill a rotation spot.. Let’s break down the fantasy value of Garland and some of San Diego’s other pitchers.
Jon Garland – It’s hard to believe that Garland is only 30 years old. It seems like he has been around forever but I think that is what happens when you have a stagnant skill set and settle in early as a very reliable, average pitcher. Garland can have an ERA around the 4.00 mark while with the Padres. He will likely be more effective at home so fantasy owners can consider rotating him in for his home starts. He is very durable, averaging 208 IP in his last five years. There are VERY few pitchers that can match that durability. Garland’s problem for fantasy owners is his low strikeout total each year. That will make him a weak option in mixed leagues but NL-Only owners can definitely use him at the back of their rotation.
Mat Latos – The talented youngster has more upside than anyone else in San Diego’s rotation. Only one problem – he might not actually be in their rotation. At least not at the start of the year. Kevin Correia, Clayton Richard and Garland will definitely be in the rotation. If Chris Young is healthy, he will be there. Tim Stauffer pitched well enough last year to be considered for a spot and there are other pitchers like Wade LeBlanc and Sean Gallagher that would like to be considered too. The Padres have already said that they want to limit Latos’ innings in 2010. An easy way to do that would be to start him off in the minors and bring him up in the summer. By that time they will definitely need him. Latos is still on sleeper lists for now but fantasy owners will have to listen closely to San Diego management this spring to find out what they plan on doing with him.