S.I. Verducci: Padres build top bullpen through smart shopping

Along with the Pirelli Towers…the Verducci Towers is a must see!

How does he do it? Here are the Kevin Towers Rules for finding value relievers:

1. Look for failing starters in other organizations, especially strike-throwers.

“We always try to identify starters with someone else’s system we think could be relievers with us,” Towers says. “We look for guys who pound the strike zone with good mechanics. That’s how we got Linebrink.” Linebrink had brief trials as a starter in the San Francisco and Houston systems before San Diego acquired him at 26.

“It’s no different than catchers who can’t hit,” Towers says. “You put them on the mound because they have a good arm. A lot of times guys get caught up in being labeled. ‘Oh, he’s a starter.’ But maybe because of attention span or stuff or whatever it is, he’s better cut out to be a reliever. Heath Bell is like that. Some guys are much better when they can just go out there and air it out for one inning.”

Hampson, 27, was 51-56 primarily as a starter in the Colorado system, but allowed few home runs and struck out more than 11 batters per nine innings. The Padres claimed him on waivers after the 2006 season. He gave San Diego a 2.70 ERA out of the bullpen this year.