Facing a shortage of middle infield prospects in their farm system, the Padres moved Monday to lock up their new combination of shortstop Jason Bartlett and second baseman Orlando Hudson for two seasons. Having already signed Hudson to a two-year, guaranteed contract with an option for 2013, the Padres announced a similar deal with Bartlett. Like Hudson, Bartlett will make $4 million in 2011 and is guaranteed $11 million under the contract. Bartlett will make $5.5 million in 2012 with a club option for 2013 for $5.5 million against a $1.5 million buyout. Hudson last month signed a contract that guarantees him $11.25 for two seasons. He will make $5.25 million in 2012 with an $8 million option for 2013 against a $2 million buyout. "When we traded for Bartlett, it was with the hope that we could sign him to a multiyear contract," Padres General Manager Jed Hoyer said Monday. "Improving ourselves up the middle was a priority this winter. Both Hudson and Bartlett play key positions. They play positions you have to be strong at. I feel we are better up the middle … solid and stable. "Having them together for at least two seasons makes our pitching staff better and makes next offseason easier." The Padres' top middle infield prospect is Drew Cumberland, who turns 22 on Thursday. But Cumberland, who was promoted to Double-A San Antonio after a strong first half at Single-A Lake Elsinore last season, has yet to play an injury-free season. Hoyer said the Padres are still high on Everth Cabrera, 24, who jumped from low Single-A to the major leagues in 2009 but struggled in 2010 around a pair of calf injuries. "We think Cabrera can be a really good major league shortstop, but I can't tell you when," said Hoyer, who added that Cabrera will likely spend most of the 2011 season at Triple-A Tucson. Read more: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/jan/10/padres-bartlett-agree-two-year-contract/
