LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. _ The Padres on Tuesday reacquired Chase Headley in a trade with the New York Yankees.
Headley, the third baseman who had a career season for San Diego in 2012, does not appear to be the Padres' focus in the deal. That would be right-hander Bryan Mitchell, who also is heading west. In exchange, outfielder Jabari Blash will go to New York.
To accommodate Headley and Mitchell on their roster, the Padres completed a smaller deal, sending infielder Ryan Schimpf to Tampa Bay for minor league infielder Deion Tansel.
The Padres have had interest in Mitchell, 26, for over a year, a source said. Across four seasons with the Yankees, Mitchell has made 48 appearances, including nine starts, recording a 4.94 ERA and a 64-to-44 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He will not be arbitration-eligible until 2019.
Mitchell throws a fastball that can touch 98 mph and an above-average curveball, but has struggled with inconsistency. He is expected to receive an opportunity to make San Diego's rotation. In nine career starts, he has a 3.76 ERA. He has a 5.77 ERA in 39 relief appearances.
The Padres will take on the final year and $13 million of Headley's contract. The Yankees reportedly will include $500,000 in the exchange. This past season, Headley, 33, hit .273 with 12 home runs. The trade effectively amounts to a salary dump for the Yankees, who just acquired MVP outfielder Giancarlo Stanton.
Headley, the Padres' second-round draft selection in 2005, hit .266 with 87 home runs over eight seasons in San Diego. He erupted in the second half of 2012, finishing that year with 31 home runs and Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards. Though he has been a steady contributor since, he has not come close to re-approaching that level of production.
The Padres dealt Headley to the Yankees in 2014, acquiring infielder Yangervis Solarte as part of the return.
Headley's acquisition could be a prelude to a trade of Solarte, who has drawn interest from multiple teams. Fellow infielders Cory Spangenberg and Carlos Asuaje also could be available. Alternatively, Headley might be flipped to another team.
Blash, a former Rule 5 draft selection, has hit .200 with eight home runs over parts of two seasons in San Diego.
