The San Diego Padres signed David Eckstein to a one-year deal on January 15, 2009.

Eckstein, who will turn 34 on January 20, hit a combined .265 (86-for-324) with 21 doubles, two home runs, 27 RBI and 32 runs scored in 94 games between Toronto and Arizona in 2008. He began the season with the Blue Jays and batted .277 (72-for-260) in 76 games before an August 31 trade to the Diamondbacks. Between the two stops, he made 57 appearances (56 starts) at shortstop and played 24 errorless games (23 starts) at second base.

A two-time National League All-Star (2005-06), Eckstein was originally selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 19th round of the 1997 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Florida. In 1,059 Major League games over eight seasons with the Anaheim Angels (2001-04), St. Louis Cardinals (2005-07), Blue Jays (2008) and Diamondbacks (2008), he has hit .284 (1,165-for-4,096) with 182 doubles, 18 triples, 32 home runs, 312 RBI, 588 runs scored, 310 walks and 112 stolen bases. Eckstein has posted a .351 on-base percentage while slugging .361. He has compiled a .978 fielding percentage in 974 career appearances at shortstop and .983 mark in 38 games at second base. Eckstein played for the Angels during Padres manager Bud Black’s tenure as the club’s pitching coach.

Eckstein has appeared on two World Series championship clubs, winning with the Angels in 2002 and Cardinals in 2006. He earned World Series MVP honors for the 2006 Fall Classic when he batted .364 (8-for-22) with four RBI in five games against the Detroit Tigers. Eckstein is a career .278 (49-for-176) hitter in 44 postseason games, including a .333 mark (17-for-51) in 12 World Series contests.