Chase Headley, San Diego Padres workout salary matters outside arbitration - MLB Update
San Diego Padres have come to terms with their star hitter Chase Headley on salary issues and have successfully avoided arbitration. The switch hitter is set to make a salary of $8.575 million in 2012 season which is quite an increase from the $3.475 million
he received in 2012.
The only player with the Padres that has now no contract is pitcher Clayton Richard. He is seeking $5.55 million where as the club is offering him $4.905 million. Clayton had his career best 14 victories last year.
Chase was star of the show when the San Diego ball club showed late resurgence, posting a 49-37 record in the last 86 games of the season. The team had its turn around after the All-Star break and has impressed one and all with their great show.
The San Diego Padres are happy to avoid arbitration and see the raise to Headley’s salary as well earned. These sentiments were expressed by Josh Byrnes, the general manager of the San Diego ball club.
"The process of arbitration is never that easy, and in this case, it's a good raise," said Byrnes. "We're happy it's done. Chase earned his salary."
The Padres are also in talks with the 28-year-old for an extension as his contract expires in 2015. The Padres are the only team that Chase has thus far represented in the Major League has played with them since 2007. The negotiations on the extension for
now are ongoing.
"We couldn't frame it up where it made sense for both sides," Byrnes said.
Chase had initially asked for a salary of $10.3 million where as the number offered by the Padres was $7.075 million. Had the matter gone to arbitration, a three member panel would have decided on the issue after hearing from both sides which would have
been binding.
Chase Headley became a hot commodity in 2012 season when he was named the National League Player of the Month in two successive months. His bat did lots of talking and his 115 RBI’s were the most in all of National League.
The season saw him post a .286 batting average and an on-base percentage of .376, both figures above his career numbers. He also had 173 hits and went long on 31 occasions; both numbers were career highs for the Chase who also played his most 161 regular
season games.
The third baseman also bagged a Silver Slugger Award and the Rawlings Gold Glove in 2012, a testament of his overall capabilities as a player.
Chase Headley has been the ace hitter of the San Diego ball club and retaining him is certainly in the best interest of the Padres. If he can maintain his current form, the San Diego ball club will have a serious shot at the post-season.
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