San Diego added more to their roster on February 16. Former Rockie German Marquez will join the Padres, while Ty France returns to the team that drafted him a decade ago. Plus, Jack Suwinski was DFA’d by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Padres sign 2
The Padres officially signed former Colorado Rockies pitcher German Marquez to a Major League deal.
Marquez, a stalwart of the Rockies’ rotation for nearly a decade, missed most of 2023 and 2024 thanks to elbow and forearm problems. He tossed 126.1 IP last season but was, statistically, one of the worst pitchers in baseball. Marquez conceded 23 home runs, posted a 6.70 ERA, and had the second-worst wOBA (.393) among starters (min. 100 IP).
Only former teammate Antonio Senzatela (.406) had a higher opponents’ wOBA.
For Marquez, the right-hander has a deep arsenal, including a mid-90s four-seamer and two-seamer, as well as a changeup, slider, and shortened-up, harder curveball.
Also, per the New York Post & The New York Times, the Padres signed infielder Ty France to a Minor League deal. It’ll come with an invite to MLB Spring Training.
France, a 2025 AL Gold Glove winner, returns to the organization that drafted him a decade ago. The 31-year-old was traded in August 2020 along with Andres Munoz, Taylor Trammell, and Luis Torrens for pitchers Dan Altavilla and Austin Adams, plus catcher Austin Nola.
Last season between the Blue Jays and Twins, France slashed .257/.320/.360 with seven home runs and 32 extra-base hits. France has never been known as an elite power hitter but makes consistent contact, plays good defense, and gets on base often, thanks to the fact that he gets hit often.
France was plunked 21 times last season, and as many as 34 times in 2023.
Mariners acquire Simpson
Seattle acquired left-hander reliever Josh Simpson from the Marlins for cash.
The 28-year-old Simpson is a five-pitch left-handed reliever who struck out 36 over 30.2 IP as a rookie last season with Miami. Groundball pitcher who can limit well-hit contact but walks a lot of batters.
Last season, he allowed 22 free passes over 30.2 IP.
Pirates DFA Suwinski
The Pirates designated outfielder Jack Suwinski for assignment on February 16, a corresponding move to add the newly-signed DH Marcell Ozuna to the 40-man roster.
Suwinski, the 27-year-old outfielder, was a productive power-hitting outfielder in his first two MLB seasons. He hit 26 home runs in 2023 but had swing-and-miss problems. Those haven’t gone away, as Suwinski had a Whiff% abovr 32% in Triple-A last season.
He does not have any options left.
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