Will Middlebrooks lasted only one season with the San Diego Padres.
Middlebrooks, who was traded to San Diego by the Boston Red Sox last offseason in exchange for catcher Ryan Hanigan, was non-tendered by the Padres on Wednesday. The 27-year-old slugger now is a free agent.
Middlebrooks, a fifth-round draft pick in 2007, burst onto the major league scene in 2012, hitting .288 with 15 home runs, 54 RBIs and an .835 OPS in 75 games for the Red Sox. He failed to build on his breakthrough rookie campaign, though, and Boston shipped him out West last winter after signing Pablo Sandoval to become the club’s new third baseman.
Middlebrooks, who won a World Series with the Red Sox in 2013, hit .212 with nine homers, 29 RBIs and a .602 OPS in 270 plate appearances over 83 games last season with the Padres. He was entering his first year of arbitration in 2016, with MLB Trade Rumors projecting him to make $1.5 million.
The Padres also non-tendered catcher Rocky Gale and left-handed reliever Frank Garces.
Thumbnail photo via Jake Roth/USA TODAY Sports Images
