The team is also exchanging salary figures with pitchers Luke Gregerson, Clayton Richard and third baseman Chase Headley, according to Corey Brock of Padres.com

July 25, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder Will Venable (25) bats against the San Francisco Giants during the eighth inning at AT

Venable,30, agreed to a $2.675 million contract for the 2013 season. Venable earns himself a small raise from the $1.47 million he made in 2012. His pay raise comes after he posted a .264 batting average with 9 home runs and 45 RBIs  in 148 games last season.

Cabrera avoids arbitration by agreeing to a $1.27 million contract for 2013. The switch-hitting shortstop will see his salary nearly triple from the $495,600 he made in 2012. The Nicaraguan posted a 2012 slash line of .246/.324/.324.

Thatcher, the longest tenured Padre, will enter his seventh season with the the ball club after agreeing to a $1.35 million deal for next season, a jump from the $700,000 he earned last year.  The left-hander held a a 1-4 record with a 3.41 ERA in 55 games last season.

Volquez is the ace off the starting rotation and he has been rewarded for his 2012 season where he went 11-11 with a 4.11 ERA. His reliable 2012 season has him avoiding arbitration by agreeing to a contract worth $5.725 million in 2013. In 2012, made $2.375 million.

Baker filled in at catcher quite nicely for the struggling Nick Hundley. Baker put together a .238 average with 14 RBIs in 63 games last year. He will be back with the club next year as he is to make $930,000. Last year, he made $750,000.

Not Yet Signed

Luke Gregerson, one of the most efficient setup men in all of baseball, made $1.55 million in 2012, and is said to be seeking a contract of about $3.75 million in 2013. Gregerson deserves every penny as he pitched to a 2.39 ERA with 9.0 SO/9 this past year.

After six Major League seasons, Chase Headley had his finest Major League season of his career. A year ago, Headley batted .286 with 31 home runs and won the RBI crown in the National League with 115.His efforts garnered him his first Gold Glove award and his first Silver Slugger. He did all this while earning $3.47 milllion. Headley is now seeking a contract for 2013 worth around $10.3 million.

Clayton Richard, continues to impress each season. This past year, the southpaw compiled a 14-14 record with a 3.99 ERA and a team leading 218 2/3 innings pitched. Richard earned $2.705 million last season. He is looking for a contract for next year at about $5.55 million.

Do not get me wrong, I want to be confident that Hundley can be an effective back-stop for our beloved Padres, and can hold down the proverbial “fort” while Grandal is absent.  But after what happened last season to Hundley with regards to his poor productivity at the plate and the numerous injuries which I alluded to in my last post, I and I am sure many others have some doubts as to whether or not he is up to the challenge.  If in fact Hundley is unable to hit with consistency or is injured yet again, veteran backup John Baker could see some extensive work behind the dish for the Friars early next season.

Baker could see some extended time behind the plate during Grandal’s suspension. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE

Baker’s 2012 Season & His Possible Role in 2013

After Hundley signed a three year extension last offseason, it was thought by many including myself that he would be San Diego’s primary option at the Catcher position during the 2012 campaign.  Although the Padres had traded for the veteran Baker from the Marlins last winter, the starting job seemed to be all Hundley’s.  But due to Hundley’s struggles at the plate and injuries, and Grandal’s injury late in the season, Baker received some extended work in spot starter capacity last season for the Friars.

In 63 games, Baker hit .238 (46 for 193) and drove in 14 RBI’s.  Although his Offensive numbers were not particularly stellar (8 Doubles, .310 OBP, .280 Slugging Percentage), Baker stepped in when the team needed him ans still logged plenty of Innings (460.1) and worked with a make-shift and hodge-podge Starting Staff all season long.  I would say that Baker performed quite well in a substitute role when one considers that he had only caught a combine 181.0 Innings over his last two (2010-2011) seasons with the Marlins.

While Grandal’s strong finish to the 2012 season all but assured him of the starting job in 2013, and Hundley appeared ready to assume the back-up role while fighting for playing time, it certainly that Baker would be on the outside looking in for playing time with the Friars.  But with Grandal now suspended, Baker is back to #2 on the depth chart, and could very well be called upon to help the ball club in April and May.

Whether or not Baker will have to play extensively through the season’s first 50 games is still in doubt and probably will not be decided until the season is underway.  Baker’s playing time will likely hinge on how well Nick Hundley can capably produce, stay healthy, and play during Grandal’s absence.  Even if he does not overtake Hundley or asked to play consistently, Baker still remains a Left-Handed bat off of the bench and went 5 for 14 (.357 Batting Average with 2 Doubles and 1 RBI) in a substitute role in 2012.

While Hundley and Baker might not be as effective as Grandal was last season, it will be up to them to produce in his absence.  Will they actually be up to the task?  I guess we will just have to wait and see over the next few months.

Stats Courtesy of: Baseball Reference

Hundley will have more chances to shine in Grandal’s absence. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE

Last week I discussed what the Padres could expect from Hundley during the upcoming season.  Additionally, I also talked about how and why 2013 was a “make or break” year for Hundley as he would likely take a back-seat to Grandal, and possibly even lose some time to veteran John Baker.  With Grandal set to be absent for 2013’s first 50 games though, Hundley has a golden opportunity to win his old job back outright.

As we have pointed out numerous times on “Chicken Friars,” 2012 was just one disaster after another for Nick, especially from an Offensive standpoint.  Hundley hit only .157 (32 for 204), and recorded career-lows in Hits, Runs (14), RBI’s (22), Home Runs (33), and put up dismal On-Base (.219) and Slugging Percentages (.245).  What was even worse than Hundley’s poor output at the plate was the fact that he was afflicted by hamstring and knee ailments during the season as well, and even was sent down to Triple-A Tucson for a spell during the summer.

Suspension aside, Grandal is definitely the most talented Catcher on San Diego’s roster, and gave us so many terrific glimpses of solid play to come during his Rookie season.  Nevertheless, I am always a fan of a redemption story, and Hundley could be quite the come-back kid in 2013 if he reverts back to his 2008-2011 form.  While it will be a “tall order” to replace Grandal and what is able to do at the plate.  But Hundley cannot possibly play any worse than he did last season?  Can he?  If he indeed does, then I will be astounded by the utter lack of production, but at full-health there is no way Hundley hits under his own weight this season.

So let’s go Nick!  Take back what was once yours with a strong showing.  And who knows?  Maybe this could be some ridiculous & topsy-turvy blessing in disguise for the franchise.

At least that is what the delusional optimist in me is saying right now.

Stats Courtesy of: Baseball Reference