SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Padres have avoided arbitration with four players, agreeing to terms with right-handed pitcher Kirby Yates, infielders Freddy Galvis and Cory Spangenberg and outfielder Matt Szczur on one-year contracts through the 2018 season, Executive Vice President/General Manager A.J. Preller announced today.
Galvis, 28, hit .255 (155-for-608) in 2017 with 29 doubles, six triples, 12 home runs, 61 RBI, 71 runs scored and 14 stolen bases while appearing in all 162 games (156 starts) for Philadelphia. The switch-hitter also led all Major League shortstops in fielding percentage (.989) in 2017. Acquired by San Diego from Philadelphia in exchange for right-handed pitcher Enyel Del Los Santos on December 15, 2017, the Venezuela native owns a lifetime .245 (555-for-2265) average with 92 doubles, 20 triples, 52 home runs, 233 RBI, 236 runs scored and 43 stolen bases in 642 games over parts of six Major League seasons.
Spangenberg, 26, set career highs in a multitude of categories in 2017, including games played (129), runs scored (57), hits (117), doubles (18), home runs (13), RBI (46), stolen bases (11), walks (34) and total bases (178). Originally selected by the Padres in the first round (10^th overall) of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, the 6-0, 189-pound infielder owns a lifetime .266 (228-for-857) average with 38 doubles, nine triples, 20 home runs, 84 RBI, 68 walks, 108 runs scored and 25 stolen bases over parts of four Major League seasons.
Szczur, 28, was acquired by San Diego on May 8, 2017 from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for right-hander Justin Hancock, appearing in a career-high 119 games between San Diego and Chicago and hit a combined .226 (44-for-195) with 12 doubles, two triples, three home runs, 18 RBI and 28 runs scored. Across parts of four Major League seasons, the Villanova product has accrued a .237 batting average (122-for-514) with 28 doubles, three triples, 11 home runs, 55 RBI and 69 runs scored.
Yates, 30, set career bests in multiple categories in 2017, including WHIP (1.10), strikeouts (87) appearances (61) and innings pitched (55.2). Claimed off waivers by San Diego on April 26, 2017 from Los Angeles (AL), Yates' 20 holds led the Padres bullpen last season, and opponents hit .211 (44-for-209) against him, including a .158 mark at Petco Park. Over parts of four Major League seasons, the Hawaii native has posted a career 4.78 ERA (82 ER, 154.1 IP) with 201 strikeouts in 160 relief appearances.