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The San Diego Padres’ primary focus this offseason will be adding starting pitching, reports Corey Brock of MLB.com:
"I realize a lot of teams will be out there looking for starting pitching. It will certainly be a focus for us," general manager Josh Byrnes said on Wednesday, just before the Padres played their final game of the regular season.
Amidst countless injuries, the Padres needed to use 15 different starters to get through the 2012 campaign. Early ailments sidelined Dustin Moseley and Tim Stauffer, while Cory Luebke and rookie Joe Wieland each underwent Tommy John surgery, which will keep them out through at least half of the 2013 season.
With the numerous injuries, several starting pitchers were provided an opportunity to step up for San Diego. Eric Stults impressed as did Andrew Cashner and Casey Kelly. Clayton Richard was the only Padres’ pitcher to make every start this season; offseason acquisition Edinson Volquez missed only one.
Byrnes said that those pitchers that stepped up in 2012 will be in the fold for next season, but he added that the team needs to do a better job of building its depth over the winter.