Chad Gaudin Signs with Phillies

Jul 31, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Chad Gaudin (57) delivers to the plate during the fourth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Former San Francisco Giants pitcher, Chad Gaudin, has signed a minor-league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies that includes a spring training invite, according to Yahoo Sports.

Gaudin had a 3.06 ERA last season with the Giants, going 5-2 in 30 games. 12 of those games were as a starting pitching, filling in the gap when Ryan Vogelsong went down last season.

With the Giants failing to keep Gaudin, it raises some eyebrows about their already questionable starting rotation. Tim Hudson is coming off ankle surgery. Vogelsong has a horrendous 2013, and Tim Lincecum has struggled the past few seasons. There are some other options though, per Andrew Baggarly, that the Giants are banking on.

"Do the Giants have enough depth to plug rotation leaks this season? They think so, even though they are bringing back the same crew (minus Barry Zito and plus Tim Hudson). Yusmeiro Petit, who pitched well down the stretch and came within an out of a perfect game, is expected fill Gaudin’s role as the long man and spot starter. The Giants are banking that left-hander Edwin Escobar, a 21-year-old who hasn’t pitched above Double-A, will be ready to contribute if needed. And of course, they are banking on Vogelsong and Tim Lincecum to be more dependable than last season. They’re also banking on Hudson to make a full recovery from the fractured ankle he sustained last July."

It’s a good pick-up for the Phillies in my opinion. I wouldn’t have minded keeping Gaudin around, however with the Hudson signing,  the nice showing from Petit last season, and perhaps the lewdness charges in Las Vegas last year, I can’t blame the front office for choosing to move on.