The Padres announced that right-handers Dustin Moseley and Tim Stauffer have cleared outright waivers and have elected to become free agents, reports the San Diego Union-Tribune (Twitter link).
Moseley was enjoying a career-best year in 2011 (3.30 ERA in 20 starts) before missing the last two months of the season after dislocating his left shoulder while swinging a bat. The injury bug followed Moseley to this season, as he was limited to just one start in 2012 after undergoing surgery on his throwing shoulder.
Stauffer posted a 1.87 ERA as a starter and reliever in 2010 and enjoyed a solid full-time return to the rotation in 2011, when he was the Padres' Opening Day starter and posted a 3.73 ERA, a 2.42 K/BB ratio and a 6.2 K/9 in 31 starts. Like Moseley, Stauffer was limited to just one start in 2012 due to injury, in this case elbow problems that required surgery in August. Stauffer tells the Union-Tribune (Twitter link) that he would like to return to San Diego, though it would have to be on a minor league contract.
Both pitchers were entering their third year of arbitration eligibility and both were seen as likely non-tender candidates by MLB.com's Tim Dierkes in his look at the Padres' arb-eligible players. Matt Swartz projected Moseley to earn $2MM in 2013 while Stauffer was on pace to earn $3.2MM.
Stauffer would be a solid pickup for the Yanks. He was decent before he had those injuries. Though…he was in San Diego…
Career 4.75 road ERA.
Stauffer will generate a lot of interest I think. Would not at all surprise me to see him come home and sign with either New York team.
Have to imagine the Cubs are in on both of these, especially Stauffer. The Chicago rotation is barren, so they should have no problem getting a rotation spot and keeping it all year to see what they can do. The Hoyer connection couldn’t hurt either.
With money to spend, I can see a nice incentive-laden deal being offered. At this point, the Cubs front office is probably salivating at the mouth.
Stauffer is a solid middle of the rotation guy when he is healthy. Unfortunately for the Padres he gave them a good run before the injury bug bit him. I hope for his sake he remains healthy, and does well wherever he winds up
My guess; Padres will try to bring him back on a Minor League deal. Stauffer would love to remain a Padre.