Thursday, January 31, 2013

Padres, Chase Headley avoid arbitration

The San Diego Padres and third baseman Chase Headley agreed to a one-year deal worth $8.575 to avoid arbitration, according to Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Headley, who earned $3.475 million last year, was seeking $10.3 million while the club was offering $7.075 million.

He had a great year and he deserves to be rewarded. This is a defendable number. It’s a good raise, but he earned it. We’re happy it is done,” Padres general manager Josh Byrnes said.

According to the report, the two sides were not working on a long-term extension as part of this deal and Headley is currently scheduled to become a free agent after the 2014 season.

Headley led the NL in runs batted in (115) as he belted a career-high 31 homers last season.  His previous career high was 12 home runs.  In addition, he tied his previous career high of 17 steals.

He was especially good after the All-Star break (75 games, 289 at bats): .308 average, 23 home runs and 73 runs batted in.

In my early 2013 fantasy baseball rankings, Headley is my seventh-ranked third baseman.