San Diego Padres: Free Agents the Padres Should Consider

The San Diego Padres came out of the winter meetings without making a single move.

Though there was silence in Indianapolis, it doesn't mean the Padres are going to stand pat with what they have before players begin to report to spring training in just a few short months.

There are interesting free agents that are obtainable for the Padres and deserve at least a look from the team.

They need a fifth starter, backup infielders, another catcher and potentially some bullpen help.

The players that are on the market are not going to be expensive to bring in and could possibly bring another feel that the Padres have not been used to.

Chien-Ming Wang

This pick might come as a surprise to some, but I think Wang would be a good-maybe-great fifth start for the Padres.

He's coming off a rough year for the Yankees but put him in the NL West where there isn't the same amount of pressure. Put him in a proven pitcher's park like Petco and Wang might become another Kevin Correia in 2010.

What it will take to sign him is still up in the air, but Wang, especially coming off the year he's coming off of, can't be expecting a $5 million salary or more.

1 year $1.5 million might get it done or it may take less than that to bring him in. Wouldn't hurt to at least take a look at him.

Kelly Johnson

MLB.com's Corey Brock brought this up in one of his articles. The Padres need a backup infielder to spell second baseman David Eckstein or shortstop Everth Cabrera.

Though Johnson didn't have a great year in 2009 (.224/8/29), he could still be a viable option off the bench. He's the same guy that hit .287 with 12 HR's and 69 RBI in 2008.

Mike Cameron

This may be the most unlikely of the list and with the Padres seemingly set on outfielders, I don't know that there's any interest in Cameron.

Cameron was a fan favorite during his time in San Diego and showed incredible speed in the outfield. Making even the most spectacular plays look routine.

There are two problems that will keep Cameron from donning the Padres blue again this year.

Problem 1: Unless they trade Kevin Kouzmanoff allowing them to move Chase Headley up to third, there's no spot open for Cameron.

Problem 2: Cameron will probably look for at least a 2-year deal in the $6 - $7 million range. Something the Padres are probably not willing to spend.

Matt Capps

You look at Matt Capps and you look at his numbers. Doing that you'll see his ERA continue to get higher over the last three seasons going from 2.28 in 2007, 3.02 in 2008 and 5.80 last season.

Throw those numbers aside, put Capps behind current closer Heath Bell and set up man Mike Adams and you have arguably the best trio in the NL West or perhaps the entire National League.

Capps pitched in a well known hitter's park, bringing him to Petco will almost assuredly bring those numbers back down.

The question is how much Capps is going to command. I don't believe he'll take a one year deal to play in San Diego. It's more likely that he'll be looking for at least a two-year deal in the $5 million range.

Again, probably out of the Padres spending range.

Brad Ausmus

Brad Ausmus is a guy that the Padres have had interest in the past few seasons.

Though the veteran catcher is 41 years old, he still brings a definite veteran presence to the lineup and could be a great mentor to young catcher Nick Hundley.

Not only that, but Ausmus can still get it done at the plate hitting .295 in 95 at bats for the Dodgers in 2009.

He's a cheap option, possibly agreeing to a one-year $1 - $1.5 million agreement if the Padres were to approach him with such.