Craig Stammen re-signs with the San Diego Padres
Credit: Getty Images
The San Diego Padres signed Craig Stammen to a multiple-year deal.
On Saturday morning, the San Diego Padres announced that Craig Stammen would be returning on a two-year/$9 million deal with a third-year club option worth $4 million.
After not pitching in 2016, Stammen pitched well for the Padres over the past three years. He owns a career 3.63 ERA, 1.251 WHIP, and 605 strikeouts in 732 innings. Stammen has been incredibly dependable for San Diego as his 3.29 ERA in 2019 was the highest of his three years on the Padres. Not to mention, he led the Padres in overall appearances over the past two seasons.
Stammen really only throws two pitches: a two-seam fastball and a slider.
His fastball sits typically anywhere from 92-94 mph with some run to his arm side. The right-hander throws his slider about 20% of the time, and it averages 87 mph. He can also mix in a curveball and changeup, but he rarely chooses to throw those pitches.
Outside of a dreadful June that included an 8.25 ERA and back-to-back-to-back-to-back home runs against the Washington Nationals, Stammen was one of the most dependable relievers for the San Diego Padres in 2019. His 4.12 FIP is higher than his ERA, but a 3.85 xFIP and 3.69 SIERA paint a better picture.
Sources: #Padres in agreement with free-agent pitcher Craig Stammen on multi-year deal, pending physical.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) January 4, 2020
Given the fact that Andres Munoz took over the setup role in the second half of the season and that Drew Pomeranz was brought in as a free agent, it is likely that Stammen will be the reliever comes in either the 6th or 7th inning, depending on the game situation.
The main benefit of having Stammen return is the veteran leadership abilities he shows. The Padres are one of the youngest teams in baseball, especially in the pitching staff, so he will be counted on heavily to help guide the team.
This is the second addition to what is becoming an already promising bullpen for the San Diego Padres. Fangraphs projected the Padres bullpen to be the 2nd best in the NL with a 5.4 WAR. With the signing of Stammen, it will likely now be projected to be the best.
Stammen, who will be 36 come Opening Day, adds dependability, leadership, and consistency to a young bullpen.
At just over $4 million per year, the Padres are getting a good deal.
Dominic is a graduate of Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, with a bachelor’s degree in Sports Journalism. He also is the producer and co-host of the “Padres EVT Podcast.”
I agree with your Margavicius call. Don’t see it there. Could be wrong.
Here’s probably a “radical next move(s)”. Tell me what you think.
I punched it into the MLB trade simulator and got approval…lol.
1st trade:
Cubs get:
Wil Myers -60.3
Padres get:
Willson Contreras 17.6
Jason Heyward -53.2
Craig Kimbrell -21.2
The Cubs are crybabies complaining about salary while pocketing ridiculous cash. I still value Myers. But, if the Cubs (having figured out the Bryant situation) want to put cash elsewhere, this is a way to do it, and the Padres get 3 years of a potential in-his-prime MVP at catcher. With the Cubs rotation, they can’t believe this a title year, so Kimbrell (even good Kimbrell) is not a necessity. I think SD can get Kimbrell right with a full Spring, and he’s familiar with us. The question is Heyward. But, he can still play center, was a 2 WAR player, is not over the hill, and is a clubhouse king. He projects at .260/.340 with 20+ HRs and is a 3-time Gold Glover. To me, it’s worth the gamble with what’s going on in sum of the deal. We’re going to pay for Myers anyway; too much upside to not make the deal.
2nd trade:
Mets get:
Austin Hedges 22.1
Joey Lucchesi 38.3
Josh Naylor 18.5
Hudson Potts 11.9
Kirby Yates 16.6
Padres get:
Noah Syndergaard 77
Edwin Diaz 13.4
JD Davis 15.1
Obviously, losing Yates would suck. He’s arguably the best closer in the game currently, but he’s not signed beyond the year and will be a more trustworthy guy for NY going for it. Some guys don’t play well in NYC. The Mets have to doubt Diaz, but SD is the perfect place to get right with our staff and NL West parks. Our pen with up years from Kimbrell and Diaz would be lethal. Hedges is the defensive signal caller to elevate a talented staff in NY, and Lucchesi is a young cheap controllable innings eater from the left side giving balance to this rotation. With deGrom, the Mets don’t need an expensive ace whose shown he wants out of the organization. He’s not going to extend. Naylor gives a bench bat with some positional flexibility for this team, and Potts is a young controllable high ceiling 3B we won’t use but could fill an organizational void cheaply for a long time in the near future. Davis is a young controllable right handed power bat who can give innings at first if, worst case, Hosmer platoons, DH, and provide similar outfield innings to Naylor if needed.
Our 2020 team’s debatable lineup (if developing to potential under new manager as planned) could be:
SS Fernando Tatis Jr. R
1B Eric Hosmer. L
3B Manny Machado. R
C Willson Contreras. R
RF Franchy Cordero. L
LF Tommy Pham. R
CF Jason Heyward. L
2B Jake Cronenworth. L
C/3B/OF Francisco Mejia. S
IF/OF Jurickson Profar. S
OF Manny Margot. R
IF Ty France. R
IF Greg Garcia. L
OF Trent Grisham. L
1 Noah Syndergaard. R
2 Garrett Richards. R
3 Chris Paddack. R
4 Zach Davies. R
5 Dinelson Lamet. R
CL Craig Kimbrell. R
8 Drew Pomeranz. L
7 Edwin Diaz. R
Mid Andres Munoz. R
Mid Matt Strahm. L
Mid Craig Stammen. R
Mid Jose Castillo. L
Mid Pierce Johnson. R
Mid Gerardo Reyes. R
LR Adrian Morejon. L (or lefty vet sign)
Other signings I would make after could include Scooter Gennett at second and Alex Wood on incentive-laden one year deals. Richards could be dominant or an injury issue, and a lefty would help balance us. I put Cronenworth at second. If another player whoever earns it) started, Profar becomes more valuable around the diamond from the bench.
I think this team challenges for the division if healthy, makes the playoffs, and does not hamper the farm development. Both Gore and Patino could be supplemental starters in July/August.
Thoughts?
Oops. Add JD Davis to this bench. Right handed pop and average.
Mets aren’t trading Thor
Are you sure? They’re not going to give him a 9 digit extension. He doesn’t want to be there. I think he can be pried. He also wasn’t that great last year. Upside though. I call their bluff.
It is good to see a focus on the bullpen. Let’s hope this works out.
This also affords more possibilities to move some of the starters our of the bullpen and back to working on the craft of starting (e.g. Morejon).
I am concerned about who gets booted from the 40 man, I hope it is Margevicus, and not someone of more worth.