San Diego Padres Re-Sign 13-Year Veteran

For the seventh year in the row, the San Diego Padres will have their longest-serving reliever back in tow come spring training, as they've agreed to a minor-league deal with Craig Stammen. 

The Padres have agreed to a minor-league deal with Craig Stammen, a source tells The Athletic. Stammen will be back in Peoria for his seventh spring with San Diego.

— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) January 12, 2023

Stammen can earn $1.5M if he makes the major league roster. The deal also provides for a possible $2M in performance bonuses.

In his six consecutive seasons, the now 39-year-old has put together a nice resume in San Diego, with a 3.36 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP out of the Padres' pen, with strong command, as he's posted an 8.5 to 2.0 strikeout to walk ratio. Stammen also leads all major league relievers with 394.1 innings pitched over those six years. 

2022 was a troublesome season for Stammen, however, as he dealt with a shoulder injury that sidelined him from early July to mid-September. He finished the year with a 4.43 ERA and 1.35 WHIP.

He'll try to show that he's still a dependable arm to have around during spring training, and worthy of one of the two open spots in the bullpen. 

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