Padres rumor has 4.30 ERA All-Star free agent pitcher as 'inevitable' signing

Padres rumor has 4.30 ERA All-Star free agent pitcher as 'inevitable' signing originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The San Diego Padres are one of the best teams in Major League Baseball this season, and they're currently tied atop the NL West with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

While they're in such a good spot through the first 23 games of the season, the Padres still have some major uncertainty with their starting rotation. They could use another starter.

That need has Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reporting that the Padres and a 4.30 ERA All-Star pitcher are an "inevitable marriage" in free agency. That pitcher is veteran starter and top remaining free agent Lucas Giolito.

Padres linked to Lucas Giolito in 'inevitable marriage'

"FWIW, have heard from some people in the industry who think Lucas Giolito and the Padres is an inevitable marriage that could take shape soon," Cotillo reports.

While nothing is official, and there hasn't been any reporting that Giolito is nearing a deal, this report from Cotillo does open the door to the veteran righty coming to San Diego in the near future.

Last season, he posted a 3.41 ERA in 26 starts with a 10-4 record and a 2.1 bWAR season. A starter like that still being available a few weeks into the regular season is a big surprise.

The Padres could take this chance and pound, adding Giolito and adding much-needed depth to their rotation with the injuries to Nick Pivetta and providing some uncertainty in the rotation.