Associated Press PEORIA, Ariz. — Outfielder Cameron Maybin and the San Diego Padres have agreed to a $25 million, five-year contract. ADVERTISING The 24-year-old Maybin was acquired in November 2010 from the Marlins for two relief pitchers. He was selected
Associated Press
PEORIA, Ariz. — Outfielder Cameron Maybin and the San Diego Padres have agreed to a $25 million, five-year contract.
The 24-year-old Maybin was acquired in November 2010 from the Marlins for two relief pitchers. He was selected the team’s most valuable player in 2011 after he hit .264 with nine homers and 40 RBIs and stole 40 bases in a career-high 137 games.
The deal announced Saturday includes a team option for 2017. Maybin said it doesn’t include a no-trade clause.
“It means a lot that these guys want me to be the face of the franchise, which I’m ready to be,” Maybin said. “I didn’t have the year I wanted to (last year). I think there’s a lot more in there and a lot to come.”
Maybin’s deal marks the first time the Padres have signed one of their own players to a long-term contract since December 2007, when they locked up Jake Peavy. The Padres also signed Adrian Gonzalez and Chris Young to team-friendly deals during the 2007 season.
“It’s a great thing that ownership and (general manager Josh Byrnes) got together with Cam and his agent and worked this out,” Padres manager Bud Black said. “This gives Cam some security and stability and gives us a player that is under contract that we’re excited to have.”
Maybin would have been arbitration eligible after the 2012 season. Representatives for Maybin and the Padres’ front office have been engaged in contract talks since last September. Maybin recently switched agents and returned to Brian Goldberg, who previously represented Ken Griffey Jr.
“I think the fact he has fan appeal is a nice bonus,” Byrnes said. “He’s a guy who’s invested in teammates and winning. He gets high reviews around the club. He’s only 24 and he has to earn the next level of status. But his character was important in making this type of investment.”
Black’s coaching staff has been impressed with Maybin’s work ethic since he came over in the trade from the Marlins.
Maybin, who played 168 games over parts of four seasons with Detroit and Miami before he joined the Padres, said he was flattered by talk of a potential contract extension, but tried to keep his mind on baseball. Last week, Maybin reported to camp and said he was only focused on the field and not on his contract situation.
“My track record over the last couple of years is you don’t believe it until you see it,” Maybin said. “But even if it didn’t happen they were going to get the same player.”
