Padres and OF Carlos Quentin avoided arbitration by agreeing on a one-year contract. Quentin, who was acquired from the White Sox at the end of December, earned $5.05 million last season while batting .254/.340/.499 with 24 homers, 77 RBI and an .838 OPS. The San Diego native can hit free agency next winter, but the Padres have expressed interest in a contract extension.

Padres general manager Josh Byrnes said Sunday that he is open to the idea of a contract extension for the newly-acquired Carlos Quentin. "Our payroll model is setting up well," explained Byrnes. "We're not in total go-for-it mode, but we can make some choices. We acquired Carlos with the thought that we could extend him." Quentin, 29, is entering his final year of arbitration and will see a significant raise from his $5.05 million salary after batting .254/.340/.499 with 24 homers and 77 RBI this past season with the White Sox.

The Padres plan to play Carlos Quentin in left field in 2012 while penciling him into the cleanup spot in their batting order. Quentin played right field the last two years for the White Sox but was their left fielder for two seasons prior to that. It's worth noting because it would appear to kill any chance of the Padres sticking Yonder Alonso in left field, which seemed like a longshot, anyway. The move also means Kyle Blanks and Jesus Guzman are now slated for backup duty, as Will Venable and Chris Denorfia are expected to platoon in right field.

Padres acquired OF Carlos Quentin from the White Sox for RHP Simon Castro and LHP Pedro Hernandez.

White Sox GM Ken Williams does not envision any future moves ''on the immediate horizon,'' according to Scott Merkin of MLB.com "We'll continue to have dialogue,'' Williams said in a recent interview. ''Absent of that, I would rather take our chances. I don't want to make a deal that's not in our best interest. Let the chips fall where they may." The White Sox are expected to go forward with Quentin, Gavin Floyd, and Matt Thornton, among others who have been rumored to be available this offseason. Floyd has a $9.5 million option for 2013. Thornton is scheduled to make $5.5 million next season.

The Red Sox are not discussing a trade for Carlos Quentin with the White Sox, according to Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald. The clubs reportedly talked on Tuesday, but discussions went nowhere. Chicago has also discussed Quentin with Toronto but has not come close to consummating a deal. The White Sox are seeking alternate suitors for the 29-year-old outfielder. Quentin is entering his final year of arbitration and will get a significant raise from his $5.05 salary in 2011 after he batted .254/.340/.499 with 24 homers and 77 RBI. The Red Sox, Nationals and Padres have previously been mentioned as possibly having interest.

Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports that the White Sox "had something working" with the Blue Jays on a Carlos Quentin trade, but that the deal "appears to be cool now." The White Sox are now seeking other suitors for the 29-year-old outfielder. Quentin is entering his final year of arbitration and will get a significant raise from his $5.05 salary in 2011 after he batted .254/.340/.499 with 24 homers and 77 RBI. The Red Sox, Nationals and Padres have previously been mentioned as possible suitors.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that the Red Sox discussed a potential trade for Carlos Quentin with the White Sox Tuesday. Cafardo says there is "no match right now" between the two clubs, but the Sox were interested in dealing for Quentin at the trade deadline in July and he would fit in their quest to land a right-handed hitting outfielder. The 29-year-old batted .254/.340/.499 with 24 homers and 77 RBI in 2011 and is entering his final year of arbitration.

Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune speculates that Carlos Quentin is on the Padres "list of possibilities," and that GM Josh Byrnes is actively seeking trades with a number of teams. The White Sox are committed to getting younger and willing to move valuable pieces but it remains to be seen whether the Padres are interested in meeting their asking price. Quentin is coming off a season that saw him hit .254/.340/.499 with 24 homers and 77 RBI, and would be an immediate upgrade over the platoon of Will Venable and Chris Denorfia. The Nationals have also expressed interest in acquiring Quentin this offseason.

White Sox general manager Ken Williams said in a radio interview Saturday that he's only looking for major league ready players this offseason. "What we have to do is weigh whatever they're offering up against our chances for the next season," Williams said. "If we're going to move our valuable pieces, it's going to be for major league-ready talent as they can grow with this nice nucleus in place." Quentin appears to offers the most trade value coming off a season that saw him hit 254/.340/.499 to go along with 77 RBI in 118 games. Other possible trade options include pitchers John Danks, Gavin Floyd and Matt Thornton if the right proposals were tendered.