Padres agree to terms with OF Seth Smith on one-year contract for 2014 season

SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Padres today announced that they have agreed to terms with outfielder Seth Smith on a one-year contract for the 2014 season, avoiding arbitration. Executive Vice President/General Manager Josh Byrnes made the announcement.

Smith, 31, was acquired by the Padres last month on December 3 from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for right-handed pitcher Luke Gregerson. In 2013, he hit .253 (93-for-368) with 27 doubles, eight home runs, 40 RBI and 49 runs scored in 117 games for the Athletics. The left-handed hitter started 97 games this past season, including 46 as the designated hitter, 43 in left field and eight in right field. Originally signed as a second-round selection by the Colorado Rockies in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Mississippi, Smith has hit .265 (539-for-2036) with 128 doubles, 21 triples, 73 home runs, 273 RBI, 304 runs scored, a .342 on-base percentage and .456 slugging percentage over 729 games played for the Rockies (2007-11) and Athletics (2012-13). He is a career .279 hitter vs. right-handed pitching with a .357 on-base pct., .487 slugging pct., and .844 OPS.

With today's announcement, the Padres have six remaining arbitration eligible players including right-handed pitchers Andrew Cashner, Ian Kennedy and Tyson Ross, infielders Everth Cabrera and Chase Headley, and infielder/outfielder Kyle Blanks.