Padres get Redding to plug hole in rotation

By: BRIAN HIRO - Staff Writer | Monday, March 28, 2005 8:47 PM PST ∞

PEORIA, Ariz. ---- The Padres might have found the man to round out their pitching rotation ---- by reaching outside the organization.

Concerned about what he called a significant drop in velocity from left-hander Darrell May, Padres general manager Kevin Towers on Monday swung a trade for hard-throwing Houston Astros righty Tim Redding. The Astros received catcher Humberto Quintero, who was expected to be the starter at Triple-A Portland.

Towers didn't immediately appoint Redding as the club's No. 5 starter, in part because the Padres won't come to that position in the rotation until April 10, the finale of the home-opening series against Pittsburgh. But Redding will arrive in camp today as the favorite for the job, with May likely in need of mechanical tinkering and 22-year-old right-handers Justin Germano and Tim Stauffer destined to begin the season in Portland.

"Redding is somebody we've always liked," Towers said. "He has above-average stuff ---- above-average fastball, above-average life, above-average breaking ball. He struggled a little bit last year with his command. We think a change of scenery might be good for him."

Like May in Kansas City, Redding followed an impressive 2003 season with a disappointing 2004.

Long one of Houston's best prospects, the 27-year-old posted a 3.68 ERA two years ago while pitching in the hitters' paradise that is Minute Maid Park. Slated to be the Astros' fifth starter last season on a dream staff that included Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, Roy Oswalt and Wade Miller, Redding was demoted to the bullpen in July and then to the minors in August. He finished 5-7 with a 5.72 ERA in 27 games, 17 of them starts.

The Padres will cross their fingers for a career rebirth similar to that of Scott Linebrink, who was languishing with the Astros in 2003 before becoming a dominant reliever in San Diego.

"Tim and Phil are doing me a favor," Redding told the Houston Chronicle, referring to Astros GM Tim Purpura and manager Phil Garner. "I appreciate that they are sending me to a team that is in contention for the National League West."

Redding, who will make $750,000 this season, is scheduled to start for the Padres on Wednesday in Surprise, the day before May has his final outing of spring training. One clear advantage that Redding enjoys is a fastball that hits 94 mph on the radar gun. Towers said May has been clocked at between 81 and 83 mph this spring, a decrease of about 5 mph from last season, when he went 9-19 with a 5.61 ERA with the Royals.

May was bothered by elbow soreness earlier this month, but he said he felt fine physically after allowing eight runs in two-thirds of an inning Saturday.

"Historically, he's been a slow starter, in fairness to him," Towers said. "He's never been real good in the spring or April. In case the elbow was a problem, we didn't want to rush one of our young kids if we didn't have to. We felt we needed another option."

As long as he's healthy, Towers said May and his $3.15 million contract will be on the Padres' 25-man roster, if not as the fifth starter then as the final member of the bullpen. Under that scenario, knuckleballer Steve Sparks would be the odd man out. Two other contenders for a relief job, left-hander Randy Williams and righty Angel Tovar, were sent to Portland on Monday.

In acquiring Redding, the Padres signaled that Germano and Stauffer, who allowed four runs in four innings Monday, remain too green for their rotation.

"I like Germano and Stauffer a great deal, but neither of them has pitched a full season in Triple-A yet," Towers said. "We do feel like we have a chance to contend, and I think it would be good for these kids to get a few more starts under their belt."

Quintero, 25, who hit .250 in 72 major-league at-bats last year, was made expendable by the organization's depth at catcher. Ramon Hernandez and backup Miguel Ojeda are set on the parent club, with Michel Hernandez slotted for the Beavers and top prospect George Kottaras a possibility to jump to Double-A Mobile. Michel Hernandez has emerged this spring with 12 hits in 22 at-bats.

Ramon Hernandez is eligible for free agency after the season, but Towers said the team hopes to re-sign him.

Contact staff writer Brian Hiro at b_hiro@hotmail.com.