Wade LeBlanc for John Baker trade is 82% Fresh

I was talking to Dex last night about this move and I was having trouble even remembering what Wade LeBlanc looked like, so that's never a good sign. He didn't leave much of a lasting impression with the team. About the best you can say about him is that he had has his moments. In return the Padres acquired John Baker who will hopefully beef up our bench and add just a pinch of offense. It's not a blockbuster move by any means, but it wasn't supposed to be.

Most people seem pretty indifferent, so it was tough in some cases to figure out if their review warranted a rotten tomato or a fresh one. I even had to translate Japanese which made it that much more difficult.

With that said, the results are in!

Apologies to RottenTomatoes.com

Padres Get Better End Of Baker-LeBlanc Swap | FanGraphs Baseball
Baker could add a win to the Padres’ ledger in 2012, maybe even a bit more, and they have him under control as an arbitration-eligible player through 2014. All it cost them was a pitcher that’s as close to replacement level as it gets.

ジョン・ベイカーをトレードで獲得 " 神父ニュース　-San Diego Padres-
個人的には良いトレードだと思います。ルブランは来季も基本3Aでの起用が確実で、2012年オフにはマイナーオプションも切れるので放出が濃厚だった選手。4年間チャンスを与えられてますし、正直2010年以上の上積みは望めない状態でした。ベイカーはここ2年怪我で苦しんでますが過去に実績があり、しかもマイナーオプションがまだ残っているので融通が効くのがまた好条件。肘を痛めてトミー・ジョン手術を受けているので盗塁は刺せないかもしれませんが、今季控え捕手だったロブ・ジョンソンから打撃面でアップグレードされたのは間違いなし。ルブランもマイアミから望まれての移籍なので、よりローテ入りのチャンスが増すでしょう。

Padres Trail: LeBlanc to the Marlins
San Diego had to do something to protect Hundley. Rob Johnson was released, Kyle Phillips posted an OPS+ of 56 in thirty-six games, and Luis Martinez isn't ready. As a back-up option, they could do worse. Baker is also left-handed. I can't imagine the Padres will platoon Hundley - that would really be dumb - but Baker will give them another left-handed option off the bench besides Mark Kotsay. Wade LeBlanc will likely not be long remembered.

Marlins Acquire Wade LeBlanc from Padres, Trade John Baker - Fish Stripes
He may not be a good pitcher, but he is a warm body who can pitch to major leaguers without being a complete embarrassment, and sadly the Marlins were missing pitchers of that type after numerous 2011 injuries depleted the team's pitching depth. This resolves nothing, but it does provide said depth.

Padres trade Wade LeBlanc for John Baker :: Friar Forecast
Still, his bat is very good. Offensively, he is right around league-average both by OPS+ (99) and wOBA (.333). He doesn’t have a lot of power and he strikes out enough, but when he puts the ball in play he does pretty good damage (.334 BABiP) and he possesses solid patience (11% walk rate). For a catcher, that’s perfectly acceptable and he should be a solid backup for Nick Hundley.

Twitter / @ducksnorts
1) Not sure how new park will play, but Miami should be a good fit for LeBlanc, who could thrive in right environment. 2) Baker is an upgrade over Rob Johnson backing up Nick Hundley.

Twitter / @AvengingJM
I love catchers with elbow problems. They're like Radio Flyer red wagons with only 3 wheels. Welcome to San Diego, John Baker.

Twitter / @thesacbunt
I don't think I can "like" this move. I don't hate it, which is something for this team.

Twitter / @woedoctor
I know this is a low profile move, but I kind of dig the Baker-for-LeBlanc deal.

Twitter / @619sports:
LeBlanc was decent in '11 but I don't think anyone will miss him too badly. Baker could be a big nothing in SD though. Your meh for mine.

Wade LeBlanc gives Miami Marlins much needed starting pitching depth – Florida Marlins – Sun-Sentinel
As far as Baker, he had a nebulous future with the Marlins. Brett Hayes established himself last year as a serviceable backup, and maybe the Marlins bring in Pudge Rodriguez if they’re looking for another veteran to complement John Buck. Baker after Tommy John surgery got himself into ridiculously good shape and he’s always been able to hit. He’ll help the Padres off the bench.