The Padres have avoided arbitration with left-hander Clayton Richard, as MLB.com's Corey Brock tweets the two sides have agreed to a new one-year contract. Bernie Wilson of the Associated Press (Twitter link) reports the deal is worth $2.705MM, which was just under the midpoint of two figures submitted by both sides — Brock reported last week that Richard was looking for a $3.1MM contract and the Padres countered with a $2.35MM offer. Richard is represented by SFX.
Richard, 28, came in San Diego in 2009 as part of the Jake Peavy trade package from the White Sox, and has posted a 3.84 ERA and a 1.69 K/BB ratio in 63 starts with the Padres. He was limited to 18 starts last season after undergoing season-ending surgery on his throwing shoulder in July.
The Padres entered the offseason with 11 arb-eligible players (second only to the Giants' 13), but have come to terms with all of them except right-hander Dustin Moseley. Check out MLBTR's Arbtracker for all the latest on arbitration-related signings and negotiations.
He has two first names, that is a serious issue.