Padres News: Despaigne Dealt to Orioles, clears room for Rodney
A lot of San Diego Padres fans were wondering about the signing of veteran closer, Fernando Rodney. The team reportedly agree to a deal with him last week, but nothing had been announced.
With the 40-man roster filled to the brink, the Padres had to make a trade to clear room for the energetic closer. They did on Thursday by shipping Odrisamer Despaigne to the Orioles for RHP Jean Cosme.
There were rumors earlier in the week that the Orioles were interested in a starting pitcher from the Padres. Most in the media world expected Andrew Cashner to be the name the Padres dealt, but it was Despaigne.
Not an all that surprising move as Despaigne was never really mentioned as a candidate for a starting job this spring. The 29-year-old was given an opportunity to start last season, but failed to capitalize on it. He made 18 starts last season for the Padres going 5-9 with a 5.80 ERA and a 1.385 WHIP.
The Orioles will hope to get some production out of the right handed pitcher, but that really does not seem likely. Despaigne needs to be real fine with his itches. If he gets out of whack with his control even a little bit, he gets hit hard.
Cosme is a 19-year-old right handed pitcher who was not in the Orioles top 30 prospect list. He had an average year last season in the minors going 3-5 with a 4.74 ERA in 12 starts. The Puerto Rican pitcher is described as a throw more than a pitcher.
He has a fastball that can reach 94-96 on the radar gun and a curve ball that is decent. Like all young pitchers, he needs to refine his mechanics and not try to blow every hitter away. A very nice pickup for the Padres. Despaigne clearly had no future within the organization.
Source: #Orioles getting Despaigne from #Padres. Cosme heading to SD, per @masnRoch.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 4, 2016
Due to today’s events, I’m just going to leave this here. pic.twitter.com/BJeOX5YdzO
— Corey Brock (@FollowThePadres) February 4, 2016
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