Report: San Diego Padres agree to contract extension with 2B Jedd Gyorko
By Brad Rowland
Update: ESPN’s Keith Law indicates that Gyorko’s extension will be for six years with an additional option.
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The 2014 season has constituted a slow start at the plate for highly regarded San Diego Padres second baseman Jedd Gyorko, but regardless of that, there is a report circulating that indicates that he will soon become a very rich man as a result of a contract extension.
Sources: The Padres have agreed to terms with second baseman Jedd Gyorko on a multi-year extension. Will be announced today.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) April 14, 2014
While terms are undisclosed to this point, ESPN’s Buster Olney reports that the Padres and Gyorko have agreed on an extension, and judging by Gyorko’s age (25 years old), it could indicate that the two sides have agreed to a long-term partnership. In 2014, Gyorko has struggled to the tune of a .163/.229/.302 slash line with just 1 home run in 48 plate appearances, but as a rookie in 2013, he slugged .444 on the way to a 2.5 fWAR season.
The big thing with regard to Gyorko’s value comes from his ability to hit with power from second base. In his final Minor League season across two levels, the right-handed hitter blasted 30 home runs, and he put up 23 long balls while playing in a pitcher-friendly ballpark as a rookie.
Until the contract terms are released, it is tough to evaluate this move in full, but the Padres have themselves a keeper in Jedd Gyorko.