Padres sign Gyorko to 6 years for $35 million

Football

Padres sign Gyorko to 6 years for $35 million

Published: 15 Apr. 2014, 20:17

The San Diego Padres think so much of second baseman Jedd Gyorko that they gave him a hefty raise, and he’s only 13 games into his second big league season. Gyorko’s agreement, announced Monday, is a six-year deal that adds $35 million over five seasons through 2019.

It replaces a one-year deal agreed to last month and includes a team option for 2020. San Diego essentially buys out one year of free agency and possibly two.

“These contracts make a lot of sense for both sides,’’ general manager Josh Byrnes said. “In this case we potentially buy out two years of free agency. It’s rare to do it so early, but Jedd, I think, he answered all the criteria you look at. First of all, character. This guy is a baseball player. I think he’s going to be a part of us establishing the kind of winning tradition we want to have here. He’s always hit and he’s handled things that have been thrown at him.’’

Gyorko proved himself with a big rookie season, hitting .249 with 23 home runs and 63 RBIs.