The San Diego Padres exercised their $7 million option on relief pitcher Joaquin Benoit Tuesday and declined their option on infielder Clint Barmes.
The team had the option to buyout the 38-year-old Benoit’s contractfor $1 million, but will again make him their setup man for closer Craig Kimbrel.
Benoit had a 2.34 ERA over 65 1-3 innings last season with 63 strikeouts. He’s been with the team since 2014.
In his only season with the Padres last year, Barmes platooned with Alexi Amarista and Jedd Gyorko at shortstop, a position expected to be upgraded in the offseason.
He played in 98 games last season, batting .232 with a .281 on-base percentage.
The team still has a $7.5 million club option on left-hander Cory Luebke, but the team is expected to exercise his buyout for $1.75 million since he has not played in the majors since 2012.
Barmes now joins outfielder Justin Upton and right-handers Ian Kennedy, Shawn Kelley, Josh Johnson, Bud Norris and Brandon Morrow as the team’s free agents.
