SAN DIEGO (AP) — The rebuilding San Diego Padres and left-hander Clayton Richard agreed to a $6 million, two-year contract Wednesday that runs through 2019.
The 34-year-old Richard is the oldest player on the team, which doesn't envision being competitive until 2019 or 2020. He is 7-14 with a 4.82 ERA and has thrown 185 innings this season.
Richard could have become a free agent after the World Series. He had a $1.75 million base salary this year and has earned $750,000 in bonuses for making at least 25 starts.
General manager A.J. Preller said Richard wanted to remain with the Padres, and his veteran presence in a clubhouse full of young players is valuable.