San Diego Padres Sign Last Strong Free Agent Starter

And it's now official: The San Diego Padres have given their rotation another boost by signing the last available solid free agent starter in 31 year old Michael Wacha.

Padres addressed long-term uncertainty in rotation. Since Aug. 1, five-year extension for Musgrove, six-year extension for Darvish, potentially three years for Martinez and now agreement with Wacha, who was seeking two years. Snell still eligible for free agency at end of season. https://t.co/Ei5WMkgzCZ

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 14, 2023

Wacha had been seeking a two-year extension, though no terms have been released as yet. 

The Padres have addressed the one roster deficiency they seemed to have heading into spring training: rotation depth. 

. #Padres updated Starting Rotation after agreeing to terms with Michael Wacha (ERA's all 3.60 or lower last year):
Darvish 3.10 ERA 194.2 IP
Musgrove 2.93 ERA 181 IP
Snell 3.38 ERA 128 IP
Martinez 3.47 ERA 106.1 IP
Wacha 3.32 ERA 127.1 IP
Lugo 3.60 ERA 65 IP

— Jim Bowden⚾️🏈 (@JimBowdenGM) February 14, 2023

As noted by MLB Insider Jim Bowden, the Padres have a potential seven starters to go to (though Seth Lugo and Nick Martinez have done their best work as relievers), and each and every one of them had an ERA of less than 3.60 in 2022. And after their recent long-term extensions with Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove (signed last season), the only starter who'll become a free agent at season's end is Blake Snell. 

Wacha finished a nice comeback year with the Boston Red Sox last season with a 3.22 ERA and 1.12 WHIP, while posting a 104:31 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He has a lifetime 4.05 ERA in 10 seasons.

Photo: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports