Micah Owings Deal Finalized With Padres

According to multiple sources including the Associated Press, Micah Owings and the San Diego Padres have reached an agreement.  After a day of uncertainty surrounding Owings contract with San Diego, the details have been finalized and released to the public.

Owings will receive a one-year, $1 million contract.  The contract is a Major League contract, but according to Dan Hayes of North County Times, “there’s no guarantee Owings will make the team’s opening day roster.”

Hayes went on to report that if Owings starts in the minors, he will be paid a higher than normal minor league salary, but he will not be paid his Major League deal.

"General manager Josh Byrnes said in a team release Owings will vie for either a spot in the starting rotation or in the bullpen. But if Owings starts in the minors — he has two minor-league options left — he will be paid an increased minor-league salary instead of the major-league deal. The deal also doesn’t allow Owings to opt out of his contract if he doesn’t break camp with the Padres."

It’s a relatively low risk contract for both sides.  It is interesting, however, that Owings does not have an opt-out clause if he doesn’t make the Major League club.  He has been a proven Major Leaguer for the past few years, so to think another team wouldn’t want him if he doesn’t make the Padres 25-man rotation seems strange.  Owings may be limiting himself, but there’s no reason to think right now he won’t make the opening day roster.