Padres, Alexi Amarista Agree To New Deal

According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the San Diego Padres and shortstop Alexi Amarista have agreed in principal, to a new two-year deal worth $2.5 million dollars. The deal according to Heyman, will wipe out Amarista’s first two years of arbitration eligibility, and his 2015 projected salary now sits at $1.5 million as a result according to Matt Swartz of MLB Trade Rumors.com.

The 26-year old Amarista was originally acquired via trade along with former Padres’ hurler Donn Roach, in exchange for reliever Ernesto Frieri. He is expected to split time at shortstop this coming season with recently-signed infielder, veteran Clint Barmes. Both players are expected to see significant time in the infield this season unless Padres’ GM A.J. Preller makes yet another deal to upgrade the middle infield.

Amarista has become a fan-favorite in San Diego, for his all-out effort and willingness to play where manager Bud Black needs him to be. He spent time all over the diamond in 2014, and possesses a career triple-slash line of .234/.279/.336.