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ARE GERMANO'S DAYS WITH THE PADRES NUMBERED? by Jason Martinez sdpadrefan.com posted 5/03/08 With an off day on Monday, there is a good chance the Padres will skip over Justin Germano on his next scheduled start date and let Jake Peavy, pitching on regular rest, close out the series in Atlanta. In this scenario, Greg Maddux would open the series at home against Colorado, also on regular rest, before the Padres would have to make a decision on the game two starter. If the Padres really believe they have a better option than Germano, who is now 2-13 over his last 21 starts, why not make the move now? Over those 21 starts, Germano has pitched good enough to win just 11 times. While the Padre offense has not given him much support at all and his defense has let him down on occasion, this team simply cannot afford to hold onto a pitcher who is going to have a bad outing nearly 50% of the time. The truth is that they are not good enough. Let's take a look at the top three candidates to take over his spot if he is removed from the rotation: Wil Ledezma, LHP: The 27 year-old started 33 major league games for the Detroit Tigers before he was traded to the Atlanta Braves and subsequently, to the Padres in 2007. He struggled in his one start with the Padres last season before being banished to the back end of the bullpen. So far in 2008, he has done everything possible to earn a more important role on this ballclub, posting a 1.08 ERA in 16.2 innings after a nearly flawless spring. However, Manager Bud Black does not seem to have much faith in the hard-throwing lefty, as he has continued to give the ball to the struggling Joe Thatcher when the game is on the line. Control has been Ledezma's main problem the last few years, although he was Baseball America's choice for 'best control in the AA Eastern League' back when he was a minor leaguer. If he can throw strikes and locate his 93-95 mph fastball, he can be successful. If not, he'll be lucky to be pitching in the back end of the bullpen again. If Germano would have struggled at all in spring training, I thought Ledezma was next in line. He could get his chance now, a little more than a month into the season. Shawn Estes, LHP: Despite a horrible spring and a few rough outings in AAA, the 35 year-old Estes has decent numbers for the Beavers. In six starts, the left-hander is 3-2 with a 4.61 ERA. In 27.1 innings, he's given up 29 hits and struck out 21, while walking only six batters. If he's not recalled to the majors by May 15th, he could become a free agent. The Padres might want to give him a few starts to see what he has left. He could also be called up to the bullpen if Ledezma is given a chance to start. Josh Geer, RHP: OK, so his stuff really isn't that different than Germano. He doesn't have much room for error. What he does have going for him is a slightly deceptive delivery that could lead him to early major league success. In four of his six AAA starts, Geer has allowed just one run. He is a proven winner in the minor leagues and is deserving of a shot at some point in the next year or two. With a gaping hole in the #5 slot, there's no better time than now to see what Geer can do. |