San Diego Padres Confident in Their 2013 Starting Pitcher Options? Really?!

According to a report by Corey Brock of MLB.com, the San Diego Padres may not add another starting pitcher before the start of Spring Training.

Before I get into the meat of this article, let me start off by saying that this is a huge disappointment, and is not what was promised to Padre fans going into the offseason.  

In the same article, General Manager Josh Byrnes said that the Padres felt "covered" with seven or eight pitchers who could potentially start a game in April.  They also indicated that they would not add another starter "for the sake of adding depth to the current rotation."  And though Byrnes contested that the team is still "in talks" with other ball clubs, adding another pitcher at this point would be "remote at best".

So let's review: The Padres went into the offseason looking to add two solid starters to bolster the top of their rotation.  

They traded Andy Parrino and Andrew Werner to Oakland for starter Tyson Ross.  

Ross went 2-11 last season for Oakland with a 6.50 ERA, 4.5 BB/9 with 11.8 H/9.  Was this supposed to be an upgrade?

Then they re-signed Jason Marquis (who has a career 4.60 ERA) to a one-year deal—again, nothing spectacular.

They lost out on Dan Haren, Edwin Jackson, Brett Myers, Brandon McCarthy and Joe Blanton in free agency and now it looks like they won't even attempt to go after Joe Saunders, Shaun Marcum, Kyle Lohse or at the very least Daisuke Matsuzaka?  

Okay, now I'm confused.  

If our offseason objective was to add two solid starting pitchers to the rotation, how are we "covered" for the 2013 season?

And with so many available options in the free-agent market this offseason, were Jason Marquis and Tyson Ross the best the Padres could do?

As a long time Padre fan, I have been speculating on this site all offseason about pitchers who could be a good fit in the San Diego rotation—and the Padres couldn't land one of them.

With a rotation that has so many question marks, how are we as fans supposed to feel confident going into the 2013 season and looking forward into the future? 

Are we expected to remain idle, maintain our optimism and show support for a team that continually raise our expectations, just to be consistently let down?

If new ownership really wants to prove to the fans that they are serious about winning—start doing something about it now to make that idea a reality.

One thing is for sure though: As a fan, I am not happy and am starting to "lose the faith."

Follow @GaryOusdahl