Where the Stars of Tomorrow Shine Tonight!

Chase Headley / photo courtesy MLB

Article By: CCBL Public Relations Office

      The New York Yankees today announced they have re-signed free agent third baseman Chase Headley (Cotuit, 2004) to a four-year contract extending through the 2018 season. Multiple reports say the deal is worth $52 million to the former Tennessee Vol.

      Headley, 30, was acquired by the Yankees along with cash considerations from the San Diego Padres in exchange for infielder Yangervis Solarte and right-handed pitcher Rafael De Paula on July 22. He hit .262 with 28 runs, eight doubles, six home runs and 17 RBIs in 58 games for New York.

      In his Yankee debut on July 22 vs. Texas, Headley hit a 14th-inning walk-off single, becoming the first player with a walk-off hit in his first game with the club since Roy Weatherly in April 1943. It was the first of three Yankees walk-off wins to end in a Headley at-bat (also a home run on Sept. 4 vs. Boston and a fielding error on Sept. 18 vs. Toronto).

      The Fountain, Colo., native began the 2014 season with the Padres, batting .229 with 27 runs, 12 doubles, one triple, seven home runs and 32 RBIs in 77 games.

      In 966 career games over parts of eight major league seasons with the Padres (2007-14) and Yankees (2014), the switch-hitting Headley has hit .265 with 426 runs, 194 doubles, 13 triples, 93 homers and 418 RBIs, while appearing in games at third base (731), left field (196) and first base (nine). He has collected at least one hit in 33 different big-league ballparks in his career, including each of the 30 current stadiums.

      In 2012, Headley earned his first career Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards as a third baseman, batting .286 with 95 runs, 31 doubles, two triples, 31 home runs and an NL-leading 115 RBIs in 161 games with the Padres. His .976 fielding percentage as a third baseman was second-highest in the NL (10 errors in 424 total chances).

      Headley was the Padres’ second-round selection (66th overall) in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft. His .967 career fielding percentage at third base (60 errors in 1,822 total chances) is the best mark among active major leaguers at the position.

      Headley batted .242/.324/.339 in 36 games for Cotuit in 2004. He collected three doubles, three home runs and 17 RBIs while successfully stealing seven bases in 10 attempts. His Kettleer teammates included future big leaguers Jason Donald, Brett Hayes, Justin Maxwell, Steve Pearce and Tony Sipp.

-ccbl-