Padres pick up option on Benoit, let Barmes go

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- The San Diego Padres have exercised a $7.5 million club option on the contract for right-hander Joaquin Benoit for the 2016 season and declined their $2 million option on infielder Clint Barmes.

Benoit went 6-5 with two saves and a 2.34 ERA in 67 relief outings, his most wins six posting seven with Texas in 2007. He is 54-42 with a 3.84 ERA in 661 career appearances including 55 starts, during a 14-year career that had stops at Texas, Tampa Bay and Detroit. His contract had a $1 million buyout.

Barmes hit .232 with three homers and 16 RBIs in 98 games including 51 starts at shortstop in his only season with the Padres, who will pay a $200,000 buyout.

He is a career .245 hitter with 89 homers and 415 RBIs in a 12 big league seasons with Colorado, Houston, Pittsburgh and San Diego.