The Padres are searching for cheap veteran arms

Listen, we know it’s tough to catch up on everything happening in the baseball world each morning. There are all kinds of stories, rumors, game coverage and Vines of dudes getting hit in the beans every day. Trying to find all of it while on your way to work or sitting at your desk just isn’t easy. It’s OK, though. We’re going to do the heavy lifting for you each morning and find the things you need to see from within the SB Nation baseball network, as well as from elsewhere. Please hold your applause until the end, or at least until after you subscribe to the newsletter.

* * *

If you’ve taken even a quick glance at the Padres’ roster as of late, one thing is clear — they probably won’t come anywhere near close to being a contender in 2017. If you take an even more specific look at their rotation as currently constructed, then you can tell that they absolutely belong in the basket of rebuilding teams for this upcoming season. If you’re going into a season with Jhoulys Chacin as your "ace," then it would probably be a good idea to think about adding a bit more to your rotation.

So naturally, there are now reports that the Padres are looking for starting pitching help. Since they’re currently in the throes of a very thrifty rebuilding process, this means that the help may be coming from guys like Jake Peavy, Doug Fister, and Jered Weaver. The Padres were initially linked to Weaver last month, but baseball insider Ken Rosenthal has reported that it doesn’t seem likely that San Diego will be bringing him into the fold. So that leaves San Diego to choose between two pitchers who will have plenty of experience to offer this season.

Both Fister and Peavy are in their mid-30s and are coming off less-than-stellar seasons in 2016. Fister finished the season with a 4.64 ERA and 4.75 FIP over 32 starts with the Astros, while Peavy threw 118.2 innings with the Giants and had a 5.54 ERA and 4.36 FIP in 2016. Both of these guys would be looking to make bounce-back efforts, and if they end up being especially successful, then they’d probably be prime trade candidates at the deadline. If not, then San Diego will hopefully have an experienced pitcher who can help eat innings over what figures to be a long season for the Padres.

• Speaking of rebuilding teams, the Braves are apparently in the running to pick up Brian Dozier via trade.


• Meanwhile, the Mariners made a couple of actual trades and Lookout Landing scoured the internet for various reactions.


• If the Yankees are going to return to prominence soon, they may have to address their rotation depth.


• The Tigers are looking for a center fielder, and Colby Rasmus is available. Is that really a good idea for Detroit?


• Elsewhere in the AL Central, the Royals’ search for an infielder may lead them to Aaron Hill.


• ESPN tried to predict the next Hall of Famer for every team in baseball. Milwaukee fans should pencil in a trip to Cooperstown in 2047 for Mauricio Dubon!


• Brandon Phillips has now rejected three trades away from Cincinnati, and Red Reporter thinks that it’s time for this relationship to end.


• Jose Quintana is a popular guy on the trade market right now, and Beyond the Box Score tried to figure out what potential suitors should prepare for.