Brad Hawpe returns to San Diego Padres on 1-year contract
The San Diego Padres will be looking at 2011 with great intent, as their pursuit of the playoffs will keep them focused in the coming months. Spring training is about to start soon and while there has not been much confirmation
on what role the squad will play in April, it is safe to expect that the roster will be stronger than before in many respects.
Apart from the various signings made across the 2010 off-season period, the club has made news again on a new deal. Brad Hawpe, who entered the off-season period in the free agency, has come to the side after quite a long time
in the position he has always wanted to be in. The 21-year-old outfielder has signed a convenient deal that will see him take a lot pressure in the first baseman position.
Hawpe was never an outfielder when he started, as a Colorado Rockies’ player. Being a natural first baseman, he was in direct contention with All-Star Todd Helton, who is in his 3rd year of a 9-year $141.5 million deal.
At the end of the regular league last year, the team released him on the 24th of August. Moreover, Padres did not waste time in probing Hawpe for his services.
"It was either fall in love with (Triple-A) Colorado Springs or learn to play the outfield," Hawpe said.
The Pads have been restructuring their squad following the exit of Adrian Gonzalez and other top players. The team flipped last year when they ranked 28th on the hitting list in the Major League. Losing the chance to
make it to the playoffs in 2010, the Pads will know they passed up an opportunity to make history. Instead of them, the San Francisco Giants went through, eventually claiming the World Series title.
Hawpe will come to The Pad Squad on a $3 million deal. $2 million will be earned during this year and a mutual option for $6 million will be put up for 2012. A $1 million buyout option makes the offer stand out in terms of Hawpe’s
valuation. The player has a good record in Padres’ PETCO Park and he is eager to make it to the field, this coming season.
"I really enjoy that ballpark," he said. "If you're talking about hitting, the first thing I notice is the ability to see the baseball. I think San Diego is right up there with their backdrop. I've always enjoyed it there."
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