Fansided

MLB free agency: One free agent each team should sign

By Joshua Sadlock

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 24: Kansas City Royals First base Eric Hosmer (35) during the game between the Kansas City Royals and the Chicago White Sox on September 24, 2017 at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois.(Photo by Jerome Lynch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 24: Kansas City Royals First base Eric Hosmer (35) during the game between the Kansas City Royals and the Chicago White Sox on September 24, 2017 at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois.(Photo by Jerome Lynch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
23 of 30
Next
BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 23: Jeremy Hellickson #58 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches in the first inning during a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 23, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 23: Jeremy Hellickson #58 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches in the first inning during a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 23, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

San Diego Padres: Jeremy Hellickson

The Jeremy Hellickson era in Baltimore was short and painful. The 2011 AL Rookie of the Year was supposed to be the answer to the Orioles many rotation problems at the trade deadline, but in reality, all he did was allow the team to limit Dylan Bundy’s innings total. In 10 starts with Baltimore, Hellickson went 2-6 with a 6.97 ERA. He allowed 13 home runs in 51.2 innings.

Hellickson was clearly a poor fit for the American League East with its hitter-friendly parks and stacked lineups. He does not strike many hitters out and gives up home runs in bunches. His only hope at this point is to keep throwing his changeups and mid-90s fastballs over the plate and hope for enough weak fly balls. That isn’t going to cut it in the AL East, and the Orioles will move on.

The Padres are a possible landing spot for the 30-year-old. Petco Park is still one of the best parks in the league for a fly-ball pitcher like Hellickson. He has been good enough at times to warrant a short deal for $8-10 million a year. Hellickson is set for life after taking the qualifying offer from the Phillies last year. He would be best served now by attempting to find a new home in a park and division that is better aligned with his arsenal.

Home/MLB