Headley, Padres aren't moving toward long-term deal
The San Diego Padres avoided arbitration with Chase Headley on Jan. 30, but they don't seem to be making any headway toward getting their third baseman closer to a long-term contract.
Headley will make $8,575,000 in 2013.
Headley was seeking $10.3 million in arbitration, while the Padres were offering $7,075,000. Headley made $3,475,000 through a pre-arbitration agreement for 2012.
Then he went out and had a career year, batting .286 with 31 homers and a National League-leading 115 RBI. He won both the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards for NL third basemen and finished fifth in the Most Valuable Player voting. He was the league's Player of the Month for both August and September.
After the season, the Padres' new ownership said signing Headley to a contract extension was a top priority. Headley, 28, is eligible for free agency after the 2014 season.
"I think you set those (arbitration) figures counting on a midpoint being reached," Headley said after reaching the 2013 agreement. "We knew we were coming into a nice one-year number. I'm very happy."
As for the possibility of a contract extension?
"We talked about a long-term contract briefly at the start of these negotiations," Headley said. "It was a quick discussion. We weren't on the same page right from the start. This close to free agency, it has to be a good deal for us. You can't sacrifice what's fair.
"If we can do something that makes sense, I'd love to stay a Padre."
