Headley, Padres agree to $8,575,000 deal

(AP) Chase Headley and the Padres have avoided salary arbitration, agreeing on an $8,575,000, one-year contract that gives the San Diego third baseman a $5.1 million raise following his huge 2012 season.

Long touted as a future star, the 28-year-old Headley broke out with 31 home runs and an NL-best 115 RBIs last season, when he made $3,475,000. The switch-hitter batted .286 with a .376 on-base percentage and finished fifth in MVP voting while winning a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger award.

He asked for $10.3 million while the Padres countered at $7,075,000 when the sides exchanged figures in arbitration this month. The gap of $3,225,000 was the largest for any major league player.

Headley's deal was announced by the team Wednesday.

The Padres have one player left in arbitration: pitcher Clayton Richard. The left-hander requested a raise from $2,705,000 to $5.5 million, while San Diego offered $4,905,000.