Every year the team rolls into Spring with that five spot open.

Last year of course it was 3-5 really open. I find it funny that the team now sits with a deep list of candidates.

1. Young
2. Correia
3. Richard
4. Latos

Who is five?
Stauffer?
LeBlanc? (huh huh)
Mujito?
Ramos?
Carillo?
Perdomo?

Looks like the Portland rotation should be lights out!

Who do you think gets the nod?

Stauffer. He made good use of his time in 2009 showing he can pitch in the big league. But Mujica looked pretty good too and LeBlanc was ridiculously good in the last month. So I think it's going to be between those 3 to battle it out. But Young is our #1 starter? I somehow really doubt that. He was average at best last season before the injury.

They'll end up signing Lowry, and when Young goes down, everyone moves up and Stauffer becomes that #5 spot starter guy. I just don't see him as anything more than that. Kinda like Justin Germano. Well, maybe not that bad.

If this year is anything like last year.. there will be a lot of moves in ST and the 5th starter will end up being a complete surprise.

I expect some moves, not nearly as many as last ST. I am personally in a wait and see mode.

I REALLY like what I saw out of Gallagher. That guys has a Zito like curve and solid control.

If he is healthy in ST, expect big things from him.

Agreed in regards to Gallagher, Steve. Love that yellow hammer.

I don't get all the hatred for my man LeBlanc though. I get that he won't blow anybody away EVER, but he has good control and the change-up is truly righteous. And he seems to have a good feel for pitching overall.

Carillo's control was bad when we saw him last year but his stuff was good. He may not be a lost cause after all. I still have high hopes for him.

All that said, I agree that it will likely be Stauffer at #5 to start the year.

I agree on Gallagher and would love to see him crack the rotation out of spring. That will be where my vote goes.

Looks like this topic is dead with the Garland signing.

Well that beats last season when if was Jake, CY, Baek and 20 hot dog vendors.

The entire pitching staff, as a whole, looks so much better than it did going into camp last year. Hoping everyone gets "stretched out" but not injured, and we're able to start the year with no talk of waiver wire cast offs' because that almost never turns into anything good. How's that for stating the obvious?

This is still an important topic. Stauffer, I believe is out of options (both Gallagher and Stauffer will be fighting for the 5th spot along with Latos) Gallagher MAY have one option. If Latos is going to be "babied" or Buddy Black and Co. have ANY reservations on "handing over the job to him, or plainly "penciling him in", the Padres other pitchers "MAY" just be out of options?

Buddy Black did not list Latos name in an interview on XX1090 with Lee Hamilton as a "given", saying he will have to earn his spot! Of course this could because Latos and his "swagger", a possible clash with the Padres and the FO and or clubhouse OR, to motivate the talented "cocky" youngster. Which, I like from him, this kids swagger, he is fearless!

Either way I see Latos on the opening day roster and would hate for him to start out of the pen (worst case scenario) and ease him in considering his "work load", has never been what you would call "high" in the minors. However, the Padres did do a darn good job of resting him, shutting him down last year. There could be a scenario to ease Latos in long relief to start the season and have Gallagher start in the number 5 spot if he is out of options and then ease Latos in the bullpen then eventually flipping Latos in for Gallagher. However, that would still leave the "Beav" AKA, Stauffer out of options, what happens to him? Good / bad scenario signing Garland, grade A signing by Jed "the Jedi Hoyer" but still leaves some "good problems" a team wants to have, but not always the easiest decisions.

Thats my take, what yours?