Padres Offseason Target: Brandon McCarthy

We here at Chicken Friars thought it would be fun to play general manager, and target players through trades and free agency that will make the Padres a better team in 2013. The Padres biggest need is on the pitching staff.

The Padres used 15 starting pitchers last year, and only Clayton Richard and Edinson Volquez started more than 30 games. The Padres desperately need to add some veteran pitching depth. That’s where our first target comes in.

September 5, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy (32) pitches the ball against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-US PRESSWIRE

Most of us remember Brandon McCarthy as the player who was involved in a horrific injury, when he was struck in the head with a line drive. Before the injury, McCarthy was the leader of the very young A’s staff — a team that went on to win the AL West.

McCarthy has had some injury problems in the past, but at the right price, we would be a tremendous asset to the Padres staff. McCarthy is 17-15, with a 3.29 ERA in the last two seasons with the A’s. He missed time with a myriad of injuries this year, but did throw a career-high 170 innings in 2011. McCarthy is a also a bit of a flyball pitcher — a skillset that would play well in Petco Park.

McCarthy seems like a guy who would play well in the clubhouse, and would give the Padres some depth in their rotation. He would also be in the mix for the Opening Day gig, which went to Volquez this year.

McCarthy made $4.2 million in 2012, and I think a one-year deal around $4-7 million, with an option for 2014 would be a good offer for both sides. It would allow the Padres to secure another dependable veteran arm, and allow McCarthy to rebuild his value for a larger contract. McCarthy is a guy the Padres should target this offseason.