Cameron Maybin, San Diego Padres Sign Five-Year Extension

Yesterday the San Diego Padres announced that they had officially agreed to a five-year extension with 24-year-old center fielder Cameron Maybin.  The deal is for $25 million over the five years and includes a club option for a sixth year.

The Padres traded for Maybin in November of 2010, sending Edward Mujica and Ryan Webb to the then Florida Marlins.  Maybin went on to be San Diego’s primary center fielder during the 2011 season, starting 136 games for the Padres.

Maybin was able to impress the Padres over his first full season of action, posting a respectable line of .264/.323/.393.  Over his 568 plate appearances, Maybin totaled 41 extra base hits, 40 stolen bases and 82 runs scored.

Maybin’s impressive totals at the plate, on the bases and in the field allowed him to finish the 2011 season with an fWAR of 4.7.  This gave him the sixth highest fWAR total in the league among center fielders, placing him just behind Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star Andrew McCutchen and just ahead of Arizona Diamondbacks slugger Chris Young.

Maybin and his representation apparently pushed for a no-trade clause to be added to the agreement.  However, the Padres balked and no such deal was included, as San Diego has a club policy against no-trade clauses.

Based on last season’s numbers alone, the deal seems to be a big win for the Padres.  However, 2011 was the first time Maybin managed an fWAR north of 1.0, so it’s to be determined if he’s able to maintain his recent success.

For more on the Padres, be sure to check out Chicken Friars.

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