Weekend News Roundup: Padres avoid arbitration with handful of players

This past Friday, the Padres announced the signing of outfielder Tommy Pham to a one-year, $8.9 million, avoiding arbitration altogether for the 32-year old. Pham played in just 31 games this past season as he was limited by several injuries.

Soon after the season ended, Pham was involved in a late night altercation outside of a San Diego established that resulted in him being stabbed in his lower back. Thankfully, the injuries were not life threatening and he only needed to undergo a minor surgery.

This past season, Pham hit three home runs in 23 hits and recorded 12 RBIs. Per ESPN, his 2020 salary of $7.9 million was prorated to $2,925,926.

The club also managed to avoid arbitration with several other players, including Dinelson Lamet ($4.2 million), Dan Altavilla ($850,000), Emilio Pagan ($1.57 million), and newly signed catcher Victor Caratini ($1.3 million).

Lamet earned himself Second-Team All-MLB honors after finishing with a 3-1 record and an ERA of 2.09. That mark wad good for the fifth best ERA in the majors while his 93 strikeouts ended up tied fro seventh, alongside his new pitching mate, Yu Darvish.

Speaking of Darvish, the deal he was obtained in also included Carartini. The switch-hitting catcher finished with a .241 average with 16 RBIs with the Cubs in 2020.

Altavilla, who was acquired prior to the trade deadline from Seattle, saw 12 appearances for the Friars. He pitched 8 2.3 innings and allowed three earned runs with 10 strikeouts and five walks.

Finally, Pagán was 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in 22 appearances in 2020. He finished with 23 strikeouts but allowed 11 earned runs.