Padres find depth in deal for RHP Honeywell

SAN DIEGO — Pitching depth stays the Padres’ high precedence at this juncture of the offseason, they usually took a step towards bolstering it on Friday.

Right-hander Brent Honeywell Jr. and the Padres have agreed to a deal for the 2023 season, the workforce introduced. Honeywell’s contract is a Major League deal, however he retains Minor League choices. The cut up deal can pay the 27-year-old Honeywell $725,000 within the Majors and $200,000 if he had been within the Minors.

Selected by Tampa Bay within the second spherical of the 2014 MLB Draft, Honeywell spent his first eight years as a professional within the Rays’ group earlier than becoming a member of Oakland in 2022. He owns a profession 3.21 ERA throughout components of six seasons within the Minors and made three large league appearances with the Rays in ‘21.

Once ranked among the many sport’s high pitching prospects, Honeywell endured a number of years’ value of harm setbacks within the Rays’ group. He underwent Tommy John surgical procedure in 2017, then had three additional surgical procedures on his throwing arm earlier than he returned to the mound and finally made his large league debut in ’21.

Honeywell was dealt to Oakland after the 2021 season however did not pitch within the large leagues in ’22. He slumped to a 7.08 ERA in 13 appearances within the A’s system final 12 months.

Still, the Padres see upside in Honeywell and the mid-90s fastball that he pairs with a swing-and-miss changeup. He will be a part of the group of pitchers in camp trying to make an influence, whether or not in the back of the rotation or as a bullpen swingman-type choice.

San Diego’s rotation was already sturdy on the high coming into the offseason, with Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove and Blake Snell. Nick Martinez and Seth Lugo are anticipated to assist fill out that group of starters. But the Padres’ depth past these 5 had been missing.

Add Honeywell to the group of arms trying to assist fill that void.