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Padres Avoid Arbitration With Chase Headley

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The Padres and Chase Headley have agreed to a one-year, $8.575MM to avoid arbitration, a source tells Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter).  Headley is represented by Jim Murray of Excel Sports Management.

The third baseman filed for $10.3MM while the Padres countered with $7.075MM.  Their agreed upon figure is just shy of the $8.688MM midpoint.  Headley, who earned Super Two status following the 2010 season, will be arbitration eligible for the final time next winter.  Beyond that, Headley is set to hit the open market after the 2014 season.

Headley enjoyed his best season to date in 2012, hitting .286/.376/.498 with a career-high 31 homers in 699 plate appearances.  As MLBTR's Transactions Tracker shows, the Padres have just one arb eligible player remaining in Clayton Richard.

Poll: Should The Padres Extend Chase Headley?

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Chase Headley emerged as an MVP candidate in 2012, hitting a career-best 31 home runs and establishing career highs in on-base percentage (.376) and slugging percentage (.498). The 28-year-old will obtain a salary of at least $7.075MM in 2013 as an arbitration eligible player, and there's a chance he could obtain even more security in the form of a long-term extension.

The Padres have had some extension talks with Headley, though it doesn’t seem as though there’s currently much momentum toward a long-term contract between the Padres and the Excel Sports Management client. It’s a possibility worth considering, though. Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported in October that the ownership group led by Ron Fowler and the Seidler/O’Malley families seemed to want to sign Headley long term.

Extending Headley through his remaining arbitration years (2013-14) and some free agent seasons (2015 and beyond) no doubt has some appeal to a Padres team that has had trouble scoring runs in recent years. However, Headley is getting expensive — he could require a commitment of $50MM-plus — and Jedd Gyorko looms as an affordable internal alternative. Plus, the Padres can't be completely sure Headley will replicate his 2012 numbers. Should they pursue an extension for Headley?

Minor Moves: Lopez, Waldrop, Zagurski, Dickerson

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We'll track the day's minor moves here…

  • The Padres have signed left-hander Arturo Lopez to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training, MLB.com's Corey Brock reports (Twitter link).  Lopez made four relief appearances for the Padres in 2009 and has also pitched in the Mets' and Dodgers' farm systems.  The 29-year-old southpaw has spent the last two seasons pitching in the Mexican League.
  • The Pirates signed right-hander Kyle Waldrop to a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports (via Twitter).  Waldrop appeared in 24 games as a reliever for the Twins over the last two seasons and posted a 3.62 ERA over 32 1/3 career innings.  Waldrop was outrighted off Minnesota's 40-man roster in October.
  • The Pirates also signed left-hander Mike Zagurski to a minor league deal that contains an invite to Spring Training.  The deal was announced by the team in December.  Zagurski made 45 appearances out of the bullpen for the Diamondbacks in 2012, posting a 5.54 ERA, an 8.2 K/9 and a 1.79 K/BB over 37 1/3 innings.
  • The Orioles announced that they signed outfielder Chris Dickerson to a minor league contract that includes an invitation to Spring Training (Twitter link). The 30-year-old appeared in 25 games for the Yankees in 2012, playing all three outfield positions. He spent most of the season at Triple-A, where he posted a .316/.417/.515 batting line in 321 plate appearances.

MLBTR's Mark Polishuk also contributed to this post

Padres To Sign Tim Stauffer

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The Padres will officially announce they've signed Tim Stauffer to a minor league deal today, Corey Brock of MLB.com reports (on Twitter). The right-hander is a client of Shapiro, Robinson, & Associates.

Stauffer pitched in just one game in 2012, when elbow injuries led to season-ending flexor tendon surgery. He recently told Brock he feels "close to being ready" after undergoing an operation on his elbow last August 31st. Stauffer estimated that he's only two weeks behind other pitchers at this stage.

The 30-year-old posted a 3.73 ERA with 6.2 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9 in 185 2/3 innings in 2011, his last full MLB season. That led to a raise and a $3.2MM salary in 2012, but the Padres removed him from their 40-man roster this past October and he elected free agency. The Padres were the lone team linked to Stauffer on MLBTR this winter.

Rosenthal On Lohse, Prado, Porcello, Padres

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The latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports…

  • Though Brewers owner Mark Attanasio recently said “there’s always a chance” that Kyle Lohse could end up in Milwaukee, Rosenthal suggests the free agent right-hander will likely sign elsewhere. The Brewers are reluctant to surrender the 17th overall selection in the upcoming draft in addition to the corresponding slot money. Lohse, the top starter remaining in free agency, has been linked to draft pick compensation since he turned down the Cardinals’ qualifying offer. 
  • Martin Prado’s bat might seem suited for second base, but Aaron Hill is already established at the position. It won’t be an issue, since the Diamondbacks want to keep both Prado and Hill, according to Rosenthal. Both players are clients of The Legacy Agency.
  • Rick Porcello could benefit from pitching in front of a better infield defense, and he remains a potential trade target given Detroit’s starting pitching depth. However, some teams are concerned about Porcello’s low strikeout rate, struggles against left-handers and $5.1MM salary. If Porcello has a big year, he could obtain a substantial raise through arbitration leading up to the 2014 season.
  • The Padres are likely to pass on Porcello for more affordable starters. Rosenthal suggests San Diego could look to trade for pitchers such as Aaron Harang and Luke Hochevar in Spring Training.

Padres To Sign Freddy Garcia

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TUESDAY: Garcia agreed to a minor league deal with a $1.3MM base salary plus $1.25MM in incentives, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter).

MONDAY: The Padres have agreed to a minor league contract with right-hander Freddy Garcia, according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick (on Twitter). Garcia is a client of the Legacy Agency.

Garcia, 36, pitched to a 5.20 ERA in 107 1/3 innings for the Yankees last season to go along with solid marks of 7.5 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9. Garcia was plagued by an abnormally high home-run rate, as his 15.8% HR/FB was easily a career worst. He will compete for a spot in a rotation that currently includes Edinson Volquez, Clayton Richard and Jason Marquis. Other candidates include Anthony Bass, Eric Stults and Tyson Ross.

Garcia owns a career 4.15 ERA, 6.5 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9. While he struggled in 2012, he's just one year removed from posting a 3.62 ERA in 146 2/3 innings for the Yankees. With the exception of a brief cameo in Philadelphia back in 2007, this will be Garcia's first venture into National League pitching.

Garcia drew interest from the Marlins, Rockies, Twins and Reds at various points throughout the offseason before landing in San Diego.

Padres, Gregerson Avoid Arbitration

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The Padres avoided arbitration with reliever Luke Gregerson, according to his agency, O'Connell Sports Management, on Twitter. The sides agreed to a one-year, $3.2MM contract for 2013.

Gregerson had filed for $3.75MM and the Padres had countered with $2.875MM, as MLBTR's Arbitration Tracker shows. Gregerson, who remains on track to hit free agency following the 2014 season, settled slightly below the $3.312MM midpoint.

The Padres now have two unsigned arbitration eligible players: Chase Headley and Clayton Richard. The Padres are 'close' to settling with Richard, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports (on Twitter). While the team has discussed a multiyear deal with Headley, an extension appears unlikely, Rosenthal writes.

Justin Upton Rumors: Wednesday

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Here's a look at the latest Justin Upton rumors with all links going to Twitter..

  • Arizona GM Kevin Towers is going on vacation this Friday, Rosenthal reports. While Towers would prefer to trade Upton or Kubel by then, it's not a deadline.
  • The Braves are now waiting to hear back from the Diamondbacks about their offer, Rosenthal reports. It's a "sensitive" time in the trade talks. For much of the offseason, the Braves had trouble getting the Diamondbacks to return their calls, Rosenthal reports. Things have evidently changed.

Earlier Updates

  • The Rangers haven't talked to the Diamondbacks about Upton in weeks, Heyman reports.
  • The Diamondbacks could make a trade involving Upton or Kubel with the next few days, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports.  Heyman notes that the Braves seem seriously interested in Upton and adds on Twitter that they're trying hard for him and have offered a "strong" package of players.  The Rangers, Rays and Padres have also shown interest, Heyman writes.
  • The Diamondbacks have an offer on the table for Upton, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports.  The offer is believed to be from the Braves, Rosenthal writes.  Arizona likes Evan Gattis' power, but the team continues weighing various options.  For example, Diamomdbacks executives discussed Kubel with the Orioles today.
  • The Diamondbacks want to make a decision on trading Jason Kubel or Upton by Friday, people involved in the process tell ESPN.com's Buster Olney.  Arizona had an agreement with the Mariners on an Upton deal earlier this offseason but the 25-year-old used his limited veto power to shoot the trade down.
  • Meanwhile, Arizona's talks with the Braves on Upton have resumed (Twitter link).  Atlanta is said to be aggressive about acquiring Upton and they're likely the frontrunner for the outfielder if he is dealt.  The D'Backs have been reviewing the Braves' offer and some folks involved believe that it's a strong proposal, according to Olney.
  • The asking price for Kubel is dropping and Baltimore would be a logical landing spot for him, Olney tweets.  Earlier today it was reported that the O's are pursuing Kubel but talks are not yet at an advanced stage.

Rosenthal On Felix, Upton, Rangers, Nationals

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The Mariners continue discussing an extension with Felix Hernandez, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports. The sides aren’t close to a deal, and are now “dancing.” However, Seattle is at least considering a four-year, $100MM offer, according to Rosenthal. It’s not clear if the Mariners have offered a nine-figure deal to Hernandez, whose current contract expires at the end of the 2014 season. The 26-year-old Octagon client would presumably want a longer commitment, as Rosenthal points out. Here are more of Rosenthal’s notes from around MLB…

  • The Mariners’ willingness to add veterans approaching free agency suggests GM Jack Zduriencik senses an urgency to win now in the view of some rival executives.
  • Justin Upton won’t be traded for Chase Headley, an official from one of the teams involved told Rosenthal. Headley is two years away from free agency, however, and Rosenthal suggests that the Padres figure to move him eventually. Upton, another trade candidate, is under contract through 2015.
  • The Diamondbacks and Rangers haven’t revived Upton-centered trade talks since the Mariners’ failed attempt at acquiring the 25-year-old right fielder. Rosenthal reports that the sides agreed to “move on.” When the teams were last in contact the Rangers offered a four-played package led by Mike Olt that would have included shortstop prospect Leury Garcia and either Martin Perez or Cody Buckel plus a fourth prospect.
  • The Rangers continue pondering one significant move. They are viewed as possible destinations for Kyle Lohse and Michael Bourn, and could also pursue relief help. The Rangers discussed right-handed reliever Tyler Clippard with the Nationals earlier this offseason, Rosenthal reports.
  • The Nationals could trade Clippard or Drew Storen now that they’ve signed Rafael Soriano. One rival executive suggested Washington could sign Lohse, but Rosenthal writes that a deal with free agent right-hander Javier Vazquez seems more likely.

Arbitration Filing Numbers

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Many players will avoid arbitration today, and dozens of others exchanged figures with their teams in anticipation of hearings. Most cases won't go to arbitration hearings, but teams such as the Rays, Marlins, Blue Jays and Braves are known for their 'file and trial' policies. For players on those teams this marks the last chance at negotiations before a hearing.

MLBTR's Arbitration Tracker will keep you up to date on every one of the filing numbers from around the game, but here are the highlights — players who filed for $4MM or more. Now for the details…

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