February 17th: According to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Marquez gets a $1MM salary followed by a $750K buyout on the mutual option. Marquez will also have the chance to unlock an extra $3.25MM in performance bonuses.
February 16th: The Padres announced Monday that they’ve signed right-hander Germán Márquez to a one-year deal with a mutual option for 2027. The L.A. Sports Management client is reportedly guaranteed $1.75MM. San Diego placed righty Jhony Brito, who underwent internal brace surgery last May, on the 60-day injured list to open a spot on the 40-man roster.
The team was known to be looking for low-cost rotation pieces and a complementary bat, per comments from president of baseball operations A.J. Preller a few days ago. They achieved the latter by bringing in Nick Castellanos on a one-year deal upon his release from the Phillies. Now, they’ve addressed the rotation side through one-year-deals for Márquez and fellow right-hander Griffin Canning. Canning is coming off an Achilles injury and projects as a back-end starter once he is healthy enough to return. Márquez figures to serve as back-of-the-rotation depth as well.
The 30-year-old (31 later this month) is coming off a ten-year major-league run with the Rockies. After a brief debut in 2016, he settled in as one of the team’s most reliable starters from 2017-21. In that span, he totaled 793 2/3 innings over 135 starts and posted a 4.25 ERA, a 24.0% strikeout rate, and a 6.9% walk rate. Márquez excelled through a combination of control and strong groundball tendencies. He was worth 15.5 fWAR in those five years and continually posted groundball rates in the mid-40s and low-50s, including a career-high 51.6% in 180 innings in 2021.
His performance began to wane from 2022 onward. He still made 31 starts in 2022, but his strikeout rate fell below 20% for the first time since his 20 2/3-inning sample in 2016. His run prevention slipped as well, with Márquez posting a below-average 4.95 ERA and elevated peripheral stats. He then underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2023, costing him the rest of that year and the first few months of 2024. His return in July 2024 only lasted one start, and he spent the rest of the season on the injured list with elbow inflammation, although his UCL was reportedly fine.
In 2025, Márquez pitched 126 1/3 innings over 26 starts but was clearly working with diminished stuff. His four-seamer was down to 94.8 MPH after averaging 95.6 MPH in his most recent healthy season in 2022. His sinker, which used over 20% of the time, also slipped from 95.1 MPH to 94.3 MPH. Statcast graded his fastballs in just the first percentile by run value, while his knuckle curve, formerly his best pitch, also earned career-worst grades. The strikeouts dried up even further, with Márquez’s 14.0% strikeout rate ranking third-worst among starters with at least 100 innings. The Rockies decided to move on as Márquez reached free agency.
Perhaps a change of scenery will help Márquez recover some of his strikeout and groundball tendencies as he moves further from injury. He’ll get that chance with the Padres, who now have a decent amount of rotation depth. The team saw Dylan Cease depart for the Blue Jays but re-signed Michael King on a three-year deal in December. Yu Darvish will miss 2026 while recovering from an internal brace procedure, and he is reportedly contemplating retirement. Joe Musgrove is returning from Tommy John surgery and will be guaranteed a spot if healthy. That leaves King, Nick Pivetta, and Musgrove in the top three spots, with some combination of Márquez, Canning (when healthy), Randy Vásquez, and JP Sears taking the last two spots.
Each of King, Musgrove, Márquez and Canning comes with injury risk, though the Padres always seemed likelier to stockpile depth than bring a big-name starter at this stage in the offseason. Zac Gallen was the last impact starter in free agency before re-signing with the Diamondbacks. Either way, his $18.7MM luxury tax number might have been too much given the team’s reported payroll constraints. Low-cost signings like Canning and Márquez seem easier to accommodate, barring a potential buyout agreement for Darvish.
RosterResource has the team at a $264.7MM luxury tax payroll for 2026, putting them in the second tier of penalization. The Padres paid the luxury tax in 2025 and would count as second-time payors in 2026. Thus, any money guaranteed to Canning and Márquez would come with an additional 42% surcharge.
Alden González of ESPN first reported the Padres were signing Márquez to a one-year deal. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported the mutual option. The Associated Press reported the $1.75MM guarantee. Photo courtesy of Kelley Cox, Imagn Images
Padres making good common sense moves today
Does anyone else find it a little odd that his fastball and his sinker were down exactly eight tenths of an MPH last season?
I mean, I know he’s likely to regain some of the velo he lost, but idk, to me that is just oddly consistent.
His sinker avg same speed as 2024 so I would not put much stock in that. There are countless factors that could of caused such a thing. So Id chalk that upto correlation more than anything not causation.
You think it’s odd that a pitcher’s velocity is down just a tick in his first year back from elbow surgery?
Richard seemed to be pointing out how both sinker and 4-seamer lost the same amount of velocity (0.8) .
I’d guess that it has to do with still getting stronger and more fully recovered from surgery.
I would think it means his mechanics are solid and repeatable between the two pitches. That’s a good thing.
Padres are bargain hunting today.
As Hacksaw Hamilton says “Padres are shopping at Dollar General”.
You know, Hacksaw looks like the General from the insurance commercials. Maybe there’s a connection…
The dumpster diving continues. They should change their mascot to a raccoon
Raccoons are survivors.
The former Rockie used to give the Padres a lot of problems. Good signing.
Yes he did.
Preller got the checkbook for Valentine’s Day
More arms…I like it!
Every team needs a 6 or 7 starters
At least. You can stash your best ones on the IL for most of the year and then use the dime store ones to get by.
James, this strategy is new to me. Tell me more…
/s
I just made it up I’m copyrighting it 🤣
Smart move.
San Diego picking up all the leftover scraps today….
Dumpster diving in full swing.
Lmfao
Do I need to say it? Minor league deal hopefully.
German was beaten down with injuries and Coors Field.. Hope he is able to get back to being a mid-rotation level 3-4 starter in his age 31 season. GREAT signing gamble. If he is toast… nothing much lost.
Nothing much would be lost, but a big hole is the rotation is gained.
If he doesn’t work out they have a big hole in the 7 or 8 spot in the rotation, which I’m guessing is survivable
Their needs seem a lot more immediate, as the article says that he’ll be competing for the 4-5 spot in the rotation.
6 guys are competing for #5/6 all with a real chance. Vásquez is the likely #4 still according to Stammen, not the article
I am not understanding how your point is any different than mine. They are signing a starting pitcher to a major league contract. Could they be doing so with the expectation that maybe he won’t be a starter?
So, ahh… Brew, if I read ya right, AJP will be trading starting pitchers at the trade deadline, out of abundance? 🙂 Heck, let’s toss in relievers, too.
Wouldn’t it be a nice change ….
I think Vazquez has an option. If that is right, it give flexibility for both Canning and Márquez to make it as 4/5, let Vasquez come up when Joe needs a little IL rest break.
There isn’t much talk about Hoeing. He never made roster in 25 after being great in 24. He should be a wildcard as well for long relief / possibility of being stretched.
Stammen was pretty clear in 3 different interviews that they view Vazquez as the #4 starter and everyone else is vying for the #5/#6 spot. German is one of those that will be looking to lock down the #5 along with Sears, Hart, Waldron and 8 non-roster invitees including several with substantial major league experience. I would give Marquez the edge.
Canning won’t be available for a rehab outing until sometime in May. He could certainly slot into that #5 spot when he makes it back. At this point he isn’t even a consideration for the opening day rotation.
Hoeing is a mystery wrapped in an enigma. He was so good in 2024 and then after the injury didn’t get much of a shot. I guess that is a testament to how good the Padres bullpen is.
Wasn’t Stammen’s interview before the Canning and Márquez signings?
Obviously, RV was no. 4 pre-signings of those 2.
AJ didn’t sign those to mlb contracts without planning to use them.
Just saying that Marquez alone isn’t necessarily filling a big hole at #4/5 as he might not even make the team. The only hole is at #5 and Marquez is one of many vying for the #5-8 slots. Or 5-10 really. It’s a good problem to have and not seen as a hole at this point given the many quality arms competing for the slot. Some of those guys will end up depth in the minors, some will opt out and become FAs again. Letting ST be a time when vets and prospects compete for a final roster spot is nothing unusual, or immediate as the article suggested.
Stammen’s latest presser at spring training was yesterday.
Both of these signings are on the low end of salary. If they don’t get used in the majors, the Padres are not sacrificing much. I believe that Marquez has an edge at being the #5 starter on opening day. We will see how he does in camp and I have incredible faith in Niebla. The man is a wizard.
Canning could factor into the rotation and a lot can happen between now and when he is ready to come back in May.
What about Rueben and McKenzie reuniting?
It’s going to make me very sad seeing him in a San Diego uniform facing the Rockies, but I am glad he gets to stay in the big leagues even if it is with a rival. Good luck German.
He always seemed to kill the Pads during his better years.
Padres doing alot of last minute shopping
More like dumpster diving
Padres had no need for anything more than depth. No big holes. A DH and back of the rotation starters that can eat some innings.
Love it. Bud black probably had a part in bringing him in
If Bud and Niebla, two stellar pitching coaches, BOTH recommended Preller buy on Germán, then I’m sure AJP listened.
Pads were the better team just 2 years ago, so they’re not that far off. The fact that you’re even commenting confirms you guys are nervous…….
I think that was 4 years ago. Time flies….
Right., German Marquez with a 3-16 win loss record, a negative WAR,, a 7+era and averaging less that 5 innings a start has got the Dodgers nervous.. But then the Padres were the better team 2 years ago. You can tell because the Dodgers won the division, the league and then the World Series that year. Clearly the Padres had the better team that year.
As a life long Dodgers fan let me assure you, the Padres are a fine team that we respect. But they don’t make us even a littel nervous.
Yeah, I don’t think there is a baseball team on Earth that should make the Dodgers nervous in the least bit. Looking at it on paper, it would have to take something absolutely catastrophic for the Dodgers not to win the World Series this year.
If the Dodgers don’t win it all this year, with all the talent and depth they have stockpiled, paid for, and assembled, then Roberts has to go. I am pretty sure any random fan could win it all with their super squad. It honestly should not even be remotely close.
Having won two in a row, the odds still dictate that it is unlikely the can win it again. It may be that they are more likely than any other team but even as a diehard fan I’d take the field just due to random statistics. Having said that, Dave Roberts would not “need to go” if they fall short. He literally took them to two in a row and 3 in six years. Who the hell do you think is a guarantee to do better?
I’ve thought about this a great deal. In this modern era I think it requires two separate teams to win. The first team is deep at every position with very good players ready to step in for injured or slumping excellent players. This team wins a lot of games in the regular season and sets up a favorable slot in the post season. I think the 2026 Dodgers have this down pat. They are as close to certain to make the playoffs as a team can be. But then comes the 2nd part. Where the marathon becomes a sprint. Having to win several short series is where some guy named Oral, Kike or Bucky suddenly turns it on and the “better” team gets their asses kicked. Yeah, amigo, I love ’em but the Dodgers are no lock to win it all.
Dodgers playing in 5 of the last 9 World Series is crazy….
@richardc If the Dodgers were to hypothetically DFA Roberts, he get at least ten teams attempting to claim him. He’s a great fit for LA.
If the Dodgers don’t three-peat it’ll be due to sheer dumb luck. Nobody will be at fault unless the roster suddenly tanks and the clubhouse fractures overnight.
They came very close to not winning last year. It takes a lot of skill and luck to survive 4 playoff series. The odds of them pulling off a 3-peat aren’t great. It hasn’t been done in over 50 years.
1998-2000 was not more than 50 years ago.
When i read nervous, I couldn’t stop laughing. Dodgers are not nervous or scared to play anyone. Your team is more nervous trying to spend all of a sudden as season is close to start.
Better ? Lmao are you talking about the season the Dodgers eliminated the Padres in the NLDS and won the World Series ? Yeah dude, totally “better.”
If he even slightly resurrects his career in SD it will be further proof, to me anyway, that Colorado should not be the stage for an MLB franchise. Full many a flower, etc.
All the best to him I hope he has a great season
Márquez was one of the only pitchers to have a relatively long run of success in Colorado. Don’t think I’d use him as a data point for Colorado not having a team.
& he only fell apart after having TJ.
That’s true, I should’ve specified that it’s just my opinion that if he played for even a marginal contender at a more reasonable altitude he would’ve put up far more impressive numbers. Idk I’m not trying to vilify a city or fanbase, but if you have to take measures, i.e. the humidor, to keep balls from flying to the moon it may not be the best environment for the highest level of the sport. Not saying Denver shouldn’t have baseball, I went to some Bears and later Zephyrs games at Mile High when I’d visit family years ago and it was always fun.
The problem was Monfort was always way behind the curve on analytics with the smallest dept. in the league. They’ve only recently begun to use Trajekt pitching machines while most other orgs had them for years. You’ve got to figure out what type of pitchers can throw well in thin air. Free agents need a practical plan fo be convinced to sign. It’s not rocket science.
Good thing his son is pushing past his dinosaur dad to the present and also brought in DePodesta and Byrnes.
Think about if he played anywhere else.
Huh? He was very good in Colorado.
Colorado has had GREAT attendance over the years. I once took my girls there on vacation and watched the Rockies play the Dodgers one of the days we were in Denver. It is a nice stadium on the edge of downtown. The ownership needs to commit to bringing talent in. There was a time when opposing teams were afraid to face Colorado in Denver. Ownership needs to get back to that place.
So regardless of any contributing factors you are going to just ignore his TJS altogether and just arbitrarily decide that pitching away from Coors was the definitive factor??
Colorado should’ve been a domed stadium. Or retractable roof at least. With a controlled atmosphere they might be able to get the air denser too to simulate sea level. That would resolve the pitching problems of the thin air.
Preller must’ve re-upped last night
He won’t live up to the pressure of being a Padre
Germán handled the pressure of pitching every home game in a mile high, rocket stadium, and you think the Pads at sea level are gonna scare him?
More depth. Some good arm talent has been added. Now we shall see what any of these dudes have left.
Agreed -all we need is 4 to 5 innings out of these guys on the back end of the rotation. The Padres bullpen can cover the rest
As a die hard Rockies fan – this move terrifies me. :-/ German Marquez was in his first full year following TJS. He’s now going to take the next BIG step in his career and show a true return to dominance in the Pitcher Friendly confines of San Diego.
Agree. German Marquez will be a bargain on a comeback path from TJS. He is a great person who will shine for the Padres.
Marquez was a bulwark for the Rockies for many years. Hate to see him go. Probably the best for both. I wish him well.
Kinda makes me wonder if Preller doesn’t have a deal to move Pivetta lurking. The cash benefit for SD would be huge (Pivetta at $20.5 mil in ‘26) if the buyers take his whole deal with some possible reduction in lux tax too. If they pay ‘26 down some might even get a prospect out of it. Miami might be under MLB pressure to spend, could kinda use a top starter after trading Cabrera and Weathers, and has mid level prospects or a depth 40 man starter they could move
Padres aren’t trading Pivetta.
Pivetta’s deal has an opt out after 2026. So the problem with trading him is noone is going to pay up for his real worth.
When it comes to the Padres I don’t believe anything Rosenthal says.
While the signing of Canning makes sense to me,. this signing does not.unless its a split contract. Marquez has not been effective since 2022.
He’s had TJ + a shoulder issue, but well worth a flier. Dude was a legit 2/3 in Coors for over half a decade. Perhaps limited upside with injury risk, but I love this signing.
straight, was going to say pretty much the same thing. Really good depth signing.
Had a feeling this is where Marquez would end up. A little surprised it took this long tho. Preller will add another similar arm soon. Quite a few other pitchers that would seem to fit the SD budget got snapped up this week.
Yet another shrewd move for SD. Wanted the Mets to take a flyer on Marquez.
3 moves. Good for them. They need it.
A sinkerballer moving from Mile-high to sea level is a good bet for improvement.
I hope he turns things around, and pitches well for the Padres. Good guy.
The Padres are on a signing rampage. Signing everybody.
Gotta wonder if they have a deal brewing too, as they now need to free up 3 roster spots. Personally, I’d like to see them start rebuilding minor league depth so they’ll have more pieces to deal at the deadline.
I know guys like Peralta and Matsui wouldn’t bring back much, but unloading their salaries would be a smart play…and the Pads desperately need minor league depth.
Darvish and Brito will be placed on 60 day IL, so they only need to free up 1 spot on the 40 man,
They were at 39 before these 3 so nobody has to be fired
Wow, someone who actually FOLLOWS the Padres, actually noticed. The 40 man roster isn’t a problem, but I’m not sure how many on the 26 man roster have options. Could be getting crowded with major leaguers.
Anybody who has pitched for the Rockies their whole career deserves a chance elsewhere, add in Niebla and there is at least some chance this could be a worth while signing.
Marquez may be a decent mid to back-end starter. But Castellanos? I can’t see him being a help to San Diego. His attitude does not bode well for a team that already has had a history of such problems. Now I am a Dodger fan; but attitude was a big factor two years ago in their losing the playoffs! Then we have the OTHER elephant in the room. He will not play right field! Left field? I would think Laureano would get the majority of the time there. That just leaves DH. They just signed Andujar for partial coverage there. Maybe they are hoping to plug him in at DH and have him as a potential depth piece in left and right. But Castellanos is a puzzle to me.
I don’t think attitude was the difference lol, Dodgers were just better. Agreed on everything else, though.
Preller and Stammen have said Castellanos is in the mix at DH and 1B. No outfield for him.
I mean he’s a career 4.22 ERA pitcher away from Coors which isn’t bad but last year he was worse away than home which is definitely concerning.
I hope he has a good year, after being with the Rockies for a decade.
Marquez is a small-Hall nominee for the “OMG that poor guy, pitching in Colorado for a decade:” wing.
Would be slightly humorous if Germán Márquez’s “second career” takes off hot, now that he’s not facing pitching at Mile High Stadium every home stand. Or, juxtapose it. Did playing at a mile high add something to his fast ball, that’ll be lost now (besides his post TJ velo issues)? Certainly couldn’t have helped his breaking stuff, playing there. Will be interesting to see how he turns out, after working Niebla.
I have always admired the guy. Hope it works out for both him and the team. Go Padres!
Solid signing. I’m a little concerned with the peripherals but I’m gonna give a lifelong Coors pitcher the slight benefit of the doubt. Would rather see him than Vasquez in the rotation.
Since the Padres have already signed one German,
Maybe Max Kepler is next.
The pair could at least be able to communicate with each other.
$2.5 million with a $12 million mutual option? That seems to be Preller’s style of contract for reclamation projects
The Padres are ruining baseball‼️
Back in 2021, when he was last good, I’d hoped the Mariners would have said “f— it!” and traded for him. They could’ve snuck in the playoffs that year.
lol madre, i get it, so damn funny
This guy would of been a 1/2 if he had started his career anywhere else.
Looking at his splits in 2022 the home/away k/bb explains all you need to know. It’s also the age you would have expected him to take that next level to be at a one, which his talent was.
Another side note in wbc Olympic/wbc spirit if he pitched for Germany this guy s name can be interpreted to mean money.
Now go get Sarah Spain
This is a fantastic signing for the Padres. I am very excited for them and their fan base.
Imagine leaving an organization that will lose 100 plus games again and going to a team that not only makes the post season but strives for it.I have read some great posts here today that lead me to believe Márquez is going to do great for the padres after his TJS year.No brainer for Padres leaving Coors field is like getting out of prison for the former all star.