San Diego Padres sign Seth Smith to a two-year $13 million contract extension
By Joel Burdeos
San Diego, CA- It was assumed around baseball that with the San Diego Padres in sell-mode heading into the trade deadline that Seth Smith and their top players would be available. Instead the Padres decided to lock up their best hitter this season in outfielder Seth Smith to a two-year $13 million contract extension. The extension also includes a club option for $7 million in 2017. Smith will make $6 million in 2015 and $6.75 million in 2016.
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The San Diego Padres acquired Seth Smith from the Oakland A’s last offseason for reliever Luke Gregerson.
Seth Smith would have been a free agent after this season 2014 season and the Padres made the right move in choosing to reward the teams best hitter with an extension. Seth Smith is batting .281 with nine home runs and 25 RBIs. Seth Smith leads the Padres in average, home runs and RBI’s.
More importantly Seth Smith is batting a team high .322 at Petco Park and Padres fans know all too well its tough to find hitters that hit will at Petco. Smith is an excellent fit for the Padres and Petco Park. He’s a professional hitter that doesn’t let the ballpark affect him and as we’ve seen this season is capable of using the whole field and even supplying some power for the Padres.
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Smith wanted to remain here in San Diego as he expressed to the media after signing his extension.
"“Ownership is committed to winning,” Smith said. “That was my first question — ‘Are we going to try and win and try and win now?’ And the answer was, ‘Yes.'” “I wouldn’t have signed if I didn’t think we could win,” Smith said. “This season has been tough, but there’s still a lot of season left and there’s still a lot of good players here.” – Corey Brock of Padres.com"
Padres assistant general manager A.J. Hinch believes this extension is a good outcome for both Seth Smith and the Padres.
"“He’s been what we’ve expected and exceeded that,” said Padres assistant general manager A.J. Hinch.“Seth made it clear to us he wanted to be here,” Hinch said. “The desire to sign him, the willingness from ownership to sign him was strong. This is a good outcome for the Padres and a good outcome for Seth.” – Corey Brock of Padres.com"