The Padres on Friday announced they had signed third baseman Yangervis Solarte to a two-year, $7.5 million contract through the 2018 season. The deal includes two club options, which, if both are exercised, would cover one year of Solarte’s free agency.
Solarte will receive a $250,000 signing bonus and salaries of $2.5 million this year and $4 million in 2018. The Padres hold a $5.5 million option for 2019 with a $750,000 buyout. Should that option be picked up, they would have an $8 million option for 2020 with a $750,000 buyout.
The pact was the second significant deal of the day for the Padres; earlier, news emerged that the team is close to a six-year extension with first baseman Wil Myers.
Solarte, 29, had been arbitration-eligible for the first time after forging a career season in 2016. In 109 games, he hit .286 (116-for-405) with 26 doubles, one triple, 15 home runs and 71 RBIs. MLBTradeRumors.com’s predictive model had projected a $2.7 million salary for 2017.
“As an organization, we’re really excited to get Solarte’s deal done,” Padres General Manager A.J. Preller said. “He’s obviously a very productive middle-of-the-order bat, a switch-hitter that gives you really good at-bats. I think a lot of the intangibles he brings to the field — his passion, he loves to play — I think everyone’s come to respect and appreciate him.
“He’s earned (the new contract) with his play.”
Solarte tweeted the following Friday night: “I am excited to announce that I am lucky enough to stay with the Padres for (a) couple more years! Thank you everyone and my Padres family!”
Solarte was one of the Padres’ top contributors last season despite missing time early in the year with a hamstring injury and despite dealing with personal tragedy. In September, Yuliett Pimentel Solarte, the infielder’s wife and mother of their three daughters, died of complications related to cancer.
“Obviously, last year was a tough year for him off the field, and he handled it as well as you can handle it and was extremely productive,” Preller said.
Last month, Solarte was selected as the 18th winner of the Tony Conigliaro Award, given annually to a major leaguer who has overcome adversity. Solarte will receive the award in person Thursday at the annual Boston Baseball Writers dinner.
Since being acquired from the New York Yankees in 2014, Solarte has hit .275 with 33 home runs in 317 games. Originally signed by Minnesota as an undrafted free agent in 2005, he is a career .271 hitter with 39 home runs.
“He’s always been a guy who’s had to wait a little bit for his opportunity,” Preller said. “I think he’s taken advantage of his opportunity, and we wanted to reward him for that.”
Solarte primarily has played third base in the majors, but he also has experience at second. The Padres have discussed swapping him and Ryan Schimpf defensively in 2017. For now, Solarte will enter spring training as the team’s starting third baseman.
