Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Hairston deal clears Padres' arbitration slate

SAN DIEGO -- The Padres agreed to a one-year deal worth $2.45 million Tuesday with outfielder Scott Hairston.

Hairston, obtained last month from the A's in the deal that sent Kevin Kouzmanoff to Oakland, was the last of four arbitration-eligible players to agree to deals for 2010.

Earlier this offseason, pitchers Kevin Correia, Heath Bell and Mike Adams avoided arbitration by reaching deals for 2010 with the team.

Hairston was seeking $2.9 million while the Padres initially countered at $2.1 million.

Hairston, 29, spent the majority of the last three seasons with the Padres before being traded to the A's on July 5 for right-handed pitchers Ryan Webb, Craig Italiano and Sean Gallagher.

In 56 games with the Padres last season, Hairston hit .299 with 10 home runs and 29 RBIs.

At the time of the trade, he ranked among Padres leaders in hits (tied for fourth), doubles (second), home runs (third), RBIs (fifth) and runs scored (third) despite missing most of June while on the disabled list with a strained left biceps.

Hairston, who will likely see most of his playing time in center field with some time in right field, will start against left-handed pitchers.

Hairston was obtained from the A's with outfielder Aaron Cunningham on Jan. 16 for Kouzmanoff and Minor League infielder Eric Sogard.

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