SAN DIEGO -- Randy Wolf has had his hands full recently trying to iron out mechanical issues that, prior to Tuesday's victory over Florida, left him with four consecutive losses.

But that doesn't mean the 31-year-old left-handed pitcher is immune to or ignoring the rampant speculation that, as an attractive trading chip on a struggling team, his next start could well be his last with the Padres.

Not that he's in a hurry to go anywhere.

Wolf, who will be a free agent after the season, said on Wednesday that he wouldn't mind staying with the Padres -- not just after the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline has passed, but into next season as well.

"I would definitely consider it, for sure," Wolf said, one day after allowing just one run over seven innings in the Padres' 10-1 victory over the Marlins.

"It has been a tough year and there have been a lot of changes. But other than that, I have had a great time."

Wolf cited his close relationship with pitching coach Darren Balsley, who helped him detect a mechanical flaw in the past week that got him back to throwing the way that he was earlier in the season.

Wolf is 6-8 with a 4.38 ERA this season and has 12 quality starts among his 19 outings.

He signed a one-year deal for $4.75 million, but he has already earned an additional $1.575 million, as he receives $175,000 for each start beyond his first 10 starts (up to $3.5 million).

"I wanted to play here and I thought I would be a good fit here," Wolf said.

The Padres have Jake Peavy and Chris Young under contract next season, while veteran Greg Maddux will be a free agent. Cha Seung Baek, Shawn Estes, Josh Banks and a handful of promising Minor League players could be in the mix for rotation spots, but none have the here-and-now impact Wolf does.

Wolf is a Los Angeles native who has relished playing on the West Coast after spending eight seasons playing in Philadelphia. Wolf said that he likes the city of San Diego and left more guaranteed money on the table to sign with the Padres in December.

Wolf said he's benefited from a rigorous offseason training program designed by strength coach Jim Malone that, he feels, has pumped up his velocity without sacrificing his other stuff.

"This is by far the hardest I've ever thrown," Wolf said. "This year, I've thrown a couple of pitches at 95 mph, and I've never done that. I've done more leg [workouts] than ever and did more in the offseason than ever before."

San Diego manager Bud Black has backed Wolf but is well aware that his name has been a popular one in trade rumors. But Black made a pitch to retain Wolf before the start of Wednesday's against the Marlins.

"My perspective is it makes it more appealing to us that we try and re-sign him," Black said. "That's not my call, but I would like to keep him on our team. Randy has given us solid work. He's had good stuff every start and has given us a chance to win."