Padres' Denorfia accepts two-year contract extension
Right fielder Chris Denorfia on Wednesday became the sixth San Diego Padre to get a contract extension this season.
Liking the "niche" he has found with the Padres, Denorfia accepted a two-season extension that will pay him $2 million in 2013 and $2.25 million in 2014. The 32-year-old outfielder made $1.165 million this season.
"It's a great day for me and my family," said Denorfia. "I've been grinding it out year by year, sometimes not having a contract. I am enjoying this year even if it's not exactly in a traditional role, and I'm excited about being part of what the Padres are doing."
Denorfia is hitting .290 this season with six homers and 30 RBI while forming a platoon in right with Will Venable. Denorfia has been starting against left-handers and is batting .333 against left-handed pitching with three homers and 19 RBI in 153 at-bats.
Denorfia joined the Padres before the 2010 season as a minor league free agent after his once promising career had been interrupted by elbow-reconstruction surgery. He hit .271 with nine homers in 91 games for the Padres in 2010, and last year he hit .277 in 111 games with five homers and 19 RBI.
Denorfia said the extension was worked out over the last couple of weeks after he and his agent decided to approach the Padres on the subject. "It came together pretty quickly," said Denorfia.
Said Padres manager Bud Black: "Chris has a great perspective on this game. He's very comfortable in who he is and what he does. This is a statement made by Deno and a statement made by the club.
"When you're talking about a number of different players signing extensions, it shows you that it takes all sorts of players to make up a good team, and he can be part of a very good team."
