The Padres have signed outfielder Chip Ambres to a minor league contract. He played in 3 games for the Mets last season and he was 1 for 3 (.333 avg) with 1 RBI. He has now played in 56 games in his major league career and he is 36 for 148 (.243 avg, .701 OPS) with 25 runs scored, 4 homers, 10 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Ambres was signed for organizational depth as he will be a long shot to make the Padres roster out of Spring Training.

The Padres have re-signed Greg Maddux to a 1-year, $10 million dollar contract. Maddux started 34 games this season for the Padres and he was 14-11 with a 4.14 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. Maddux has now pitched in 711 games (707 starts) in his major league career and he’s 347-214 with a 3.11 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. He should have another good season for the Padres and he comes at a bargain price as starting pitching will be expensive in free agency.

The Padres have declined Rob Mackowiak’s $3.25 million dollar option for the 2008 season. The Padres instead gave Mackowiak a $300,000 buyout to walk away. Mackowiak played in 28 games for the Padres last season and he was only 11 for 56 (.196 avg, .512 OPS) with 6 runs scored and 2 RBIs. He will find a new job with someone but he will definately have to take a pay cut.