CF Cameron Maybin, 25, has signed a contract extension that commits him to the Padres through 2017. Maybin's contract covers a minimum of five years and $25 million, but could be worth $33 million if the Padres pick up the club option for 2017. Maybin was eligible to become a free agent after the 2015 season. Maybin will get a $500,000 signing bonus plus a $500,000 contract for 2012. He will make $3 million in 2013, $5 million in 2014, $7 million in 2015, $8 million in 2016 and $9 million against a $1 million buyout in 2017. The Padres have bought out three years of arbitration and at least one and possibly two seasons of free agency.
The contract extension marks the first time since 2007 that the Padres have extended a younger player that they controlled possibly signaling a change in direction. The Padres, who are also close to signing C Nick Hundley to a contract extension, extended RHPs Jake Peavy and Chris Young and 1B Adrian Gonzalez in 2007.
INF Logan Forsythe's hopes of making the Padres as a utility infielder suffered a blow March 9 when he underwent surgery in San Diego to remove the sesamoid bone from his left foot. Forsythe is expected to be out eight weeks the amount of time he lost while in college when the same bone was removed from his right foot. A crack developed in the sesamoid.
INF Everth Cabrera, 25, who was already leading the battle for the utility infield spot when Forsythe was injured, has already also played a spring game in center field. Cabrera says he is ready to play second, short, third and the outfield. Cabrera was the Padres starting shortstop over the last 97 games of the 2009 season and at the start of the 2010 season. But a series of injuries have curtailed his playing time the past two seasons. "He has the ability to go out there," said Padres manager Bud Black. "He looked comfortable. His jumps and breaks looked good. He's been taking balls in the outfield in practice and batting practice. He's very comfortable out there."
OF Chris Denorfia and 3B Chase Headley have been sidelined with back issues. Denorfia has yet to appear in a game. Headley missed four days this week. SS Jason Bartlett has also been limited due to a sore knee. "Minor things that we're moving slowly on to make sure they don't get worse," said Padres manager Bud Black. C John Baker and CF Cameron Maybin both missed a couple days due to flu-like symptoms.
2B Jonathan Galvez arrived in camp a week late. His visa had been delayed as he completed a major league program that randomly tests the DNA of Latin American players to confirm their identity and age.
Little League Opening Day in San Diego saw 11,000 players wearing 20 different styles of Padres uniforms from throughout the club's history. The Padres made all the jersey tops available free to local Little League teams who wanted to wear the Padres colors. First choice among the Little Leaguers, the Sunday home camouflage uniforms were chosen by more than 60 teams.
BY THE NUMBERS: 103/100 The radar gun readings on RHP Andrew Cashner in his first two outings of the spring.
QUOTE TO NOTE:
"I like it here and I think the feeling is mutual. These guys want me to be the face of the franchise, which I am ready toi be. This is definitely the place I want to be and I hope to play here a long time." CF Cameron Maybin, 25, after signing a contract extension that could net him $33 million through 2017.
