My Take on LeBlanc for Baker

In a blockbuster deal on Wednesday, the Padres acquired John Baker from the Marlins for Wade LeBlanc. I'm normally not a fan of trading away pitching depth, especially for a player with a history of injuries and has only played 39 games in the past two seasons. In this case though, I'm going to make an exception. 

The Padres are the club who I feel are in the best place to trade away pitching. I don't mean "best place" in reference to their depth, but rather their actual location. Playing half of their games in Petco Park allows the Padres to get by with lesser pitching, and also let their pitching develop at the major league level, and have some confidence that they're not going to be crushed. 

Wade LeBlanc had a good year as a 24 year old in San Diego, but the lefty has posted a 4.39 ERA and 1.42 WHIP over 225.2 inning the past two seasons. He's spent time in the minors during that time, and has really been the epitome of replacement level. He's a fly ball pitcher, with average control, and only a 16.2% strikeout rate. Florida has been looking for starting pitcher, and my best guess is that they've obtained a backend starter in exchange for a player who they've not been able to rely on. 

San Diego looks at the deal as giving away a replacement level pitcher for a left handed catcher, who could help an offense that was as the bottom of the league this past season. Baker's offensive value is mostly tied up in his patient approach at the plate, as he boasts a career walk rate of 10.8%. Petco Park is known to kill left handed hitters, but Baker also has an opposite field stroke which could help to mitigate the effect of the park. 

San Diego's incumbent catcher is Nick Hundley. Hundley isn't anything special, but as a right handed hitter, he does hit lefties well. Both Hundley and Baker have a history of injuries. With one being left handed and one being right handed, they could for a suitable platoon, which could also help to keep the pair healthy. 

Florida feels like they have a good enough offense, and are expecting to get Jose Reyes to add to it. They've wanted to add pitching, but don't want to pay the big money for a free agent. LeBlanc isn't going to make a large impact, but if he can make 25 starts, and have any form of success, I think Florida will be happy. San Diego won't miss LeBlanc, and is taking a flyer to try to improve their offense. It seems like a deal that makes sense for both teams, but San Diego got the side with the higher ceiling.