Padres sign Mark Kotsay to contract extension

The Padres have locked up veteran outfielder Mark Kotsay through the 2013 season. CBSSports.com Insider Jon Heyman reports that the Padres will pay Kotsay $1.3 million next year.

By Dayn Perry

Aug 12, 2012 at 11:35 am ET • 1 min read

Mark Kotsay will occasionally don the camo for at least another season. (Getty Images)

The Padres have announced that they've signed veteran outfielder Mark Kotsay to a contract extension that will keep him in San Diego through the 2013 season. CBSSports.com Insider Jon Heyman reports that the deal will be worth $1.3 million.

Kotsay, age 36, is hitting .275/.333/.363 this season, and he's a career .280/.338/.414 hitter against right-handed pitching. While Kotsay is definitely a stretch in center these days, he can play there on occasion and capably man the outfield corners and first base.

"Mark provides versatility and a very good late-game at-bat," said GM Josh Byrnes. "He brings invaluable leadership to our club and has become one of the key members of our team."

Although you can certainly quibble with the dollar amount, Kotsay is perfectly useful in a strict reserve role.

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