Padres rumors: Starting rotation set for 2013?

Though the San Diego Padres have added just one arm to their rotation this offseason, general manager Josh Byrnes has indicated the club may be done searching for a starter on the free-agent market, reports Corey Brock of MLB.com:

San Diego general manager Josh Byrnes indicated Wednesday that the team won't simply add another pitcher for the sake of doing so or even for the sake of adding depth to the current rotation candidates.

"It would probably be more of [getting] an upgrade than just adding depth," Byrnes said. "We feel we have seven or eight guys who could start a game in April. I think we're covered."

Byrnes added that while the club continues to explore the trade market, the possibility of adding a starter through free agency "seems remote at best." San Diego had several starters hit the disabled list last season, so the club has been hesitant to pursue any free-agent pitchers with health risks (i.e. Shaun Marcum).

The Padres' sole addition to their rotation this winter was not really an addition per se; the club re-signed veteran right-hander Jason Marquis to a one-year, $3 million deal on the first day of the Winter Meetings.

As it stands, Marquis will be battling for a rotation spot with twenty-somethings Edinson Volquez, Clayton Richard, Anthony Bass, Tyler Ross, Casey Kelly and Robbie Erlin. A few other in-house options -- Cory Luebke, Joe Wieland, and Andrew Cashner -- are expected to return from injuries mid-season and could bolster the rotation if needed.