SAN DIEGO -- Padres third baseman Chase Headley requested a raise of nearly $7 million Friday when players and teams swapped figures in salary arbitration.
Following his breakout season, Headley asked for $10.3 million this year while the Padres offered $7,075,000. The gap of $3,225,000 was the largest for any major leaguer in arbitration.
The 28-year-old Headley had 31 home runs and an NL-best 115 RBIs last season, when he made $3,475,000. He batted .286 with a .376 on-base percentage and finished fifth in MVP voting while winning a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger award.
If the sides can't settle, Headley's case would be decided by three-arbitrator panel next month in Phoenix.
San Diego avoided arbitration with four players, agreeing to one-year contracts with right-hander Edinson Volquez, left-hander Joe Thatcher, catcher John Baker and infielder Everth Cabrera.
Volquez went 11-11 with a 4.14 ERA in his first season with the Padres. He will make $5,725,000 next season after earning $2,237,500 in 2012.
Thatcher went 1-4 with a 3.41 ERA and 39 strikeouts over 55 relief appearances for the Padres in 2012. He will earn $1.35 million this season after making $700,000 last year.
Baker hit .238 with 14 RBIs during his first season with the Padres. He will make $930,000 this season after earning $750,000 in 2012.
Cabrera batted .246 with two home runs and had a career-best 44 stolen bases. He gets a raise to $1,275,000, up from $495,600 last season.
The Padres had previously reached a $2,675,000, one-year deal with outfielder Will Venable, who hit .264 with nine home runs and 45 RBIs last year when he made $1,475,000.
Two pitchers exchanged proposed salaries with the Padres.
Clayton Richard asked for a raise from $2,705,000 to $5.5 million, while San Diego countered at $4,905,000. Luke Gregerson requested a raise from $1.55 million to $3.75 million, and the Padres offered $2,875,000.
