Padres Agree to Multi-Year Deal With Reliever Craig Stammen
By Michael Luciano
The San Diego Padres are looking to improve their pitching staff in any way possible in 2020, and one way they've gone about this is re-signing one of their most effective relievers.
Craig Stammen has re-signed with the Padres on a three-year, $12 million deal that will keep him in San Diego until after his age-38 season.
Sources: #Padres in agreement with free-agent pitcher Craig Stammen on multi-year deal, pending physical.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) January 4, 2020
Stammen surrendered 13 home runs in 2019, but was still an effective relief option for the Padres. The former Washington Nationals sinker-baller went 8-7 with a 3.29 ERA, striking out 73 batters across 82 innings. Remarkably, that was his worst ERA since joining the Padres back in 2017.
Stammen getting crucial outs as the bridge to All-Star closer Kirby Yates was important for San Diego's bullpen last season, and the Padres will once again be relying on that tandem to finish out games for them in 2020.
Craig Stammen has been really good for the Padres. 4 million AAV is a great value for an 80 inning reliever with a ~3 ERA.
— JeanClaudeFanDan (@PadreFanDan) January 4, 2020
San Diego could still look to add a starter or two to their rotation, but the Padres' bullpen will be a legit source of intrigue as they aim to make some noise in the NL West.