Chase Headley and the San Diego Padres reached an agreement on a one-year deal worth $8.575 million and avoided arbitration. Headley had requested $10.3 million, and the team had offered slightly more than $7 million. Headley hit .286/.376/.498 with 31 home runs and 17 stolen bases in 699 plate appearances in 2012.
The switch-hitting Headley also took home his first career Rawlings Gold Glove and Louisville Silver Slugger awards. Over parts of six Major League seasons with San Diego (2007-12), he has hit .273 (679-for-2487) with 139 doubles, 10 triples, 67 home runs, 319 RBI, 312 runs scored and 61 stolen bases in 690 games played.
Headley had a breakout 2012 season that saw him finish fifth in the National League MVP voting. Headley has been the subject of trade rumors throughout the off-season but the team has resisted the temptation to trade the young slugger. The Padres general manager Josh Byrnes has had discussions about an extension with Headley and the new ownership group seems to be favoring that position.
The Padres have one arbitration eligible player remaining, left-handed pitcher Clayton Richard.
