Chase Headley said he doesn’t want a contract extension to be a distraction during the Padres’ season. (Denis Poroy/Getty Images)

Winning last year’s National League RBI title is going to pay dividends for Chase Headley.

Ron Fowler, the executive chairman of the Padres, told the San Diego Union-Tribune Wednesday that a “multi-year” extension will be offered to Headley “before midseason.” Fowler said the deal would make Headley the highest-paid player in franchise history.

“Will it be 10 years? No,” Fowler told the Union-Tribune. “We’re not going to do something like that. But we will do an offer that will be the largest offer we’ve ever made to a player in San Diego history and think it will be very close to some of the numbers I read in the press.”

Headley was blindsided by word of the pending offer, saying he “didn’t know how to respond”. He previously said he would not discuss contract matters although it’s been speculated he could demand $15 million a year. He is eligible to become a free agent after the 2014 season.

“I don’t want to get involved in saying exactly what it would take,” said Headley. “We don’t have anything set in stone. We’re not trying to set a record. I’m looking to something that is fair to myself and the Padres.

“I do want a solid commitment. But I’m not looking for 10 years. I wouldn’t want anything that would put the Padres in a bad position.

“A three-year deal would put me in the same position I am now in about a year and I don’t want to do this again.”

Jake Peavy was making a franchise-record $11 million in 2009 as part of a four-year contract extension before he was traded to the White Sox.

Headley, who was sidelined before April 17 by a thumb injury, is batting .280/.373/.540 with three homers and six RBIs in 13 games this season.

Chase Headley #7 of the San Diego Padres poses during MLB photo day February 18, 2013. (Photo by Rich Pilling/Getty Images)

San Diego Padres third baseman Chase Headley could miss the start of the regular season due to a left thumb injury, according to MLB.com reporter Corey Brock. Headley injured his left thumb sliding into second base attempting to break up a double play during a game on Sunday. He will be traveling back to San Diego to see a hand specialist for further tests.

Headley is coming off his best season as a Padre, leading the National League in RBIs (115) while setting a new career-high in home runs with 31. He finished fifth in the NL MVP voting last season.

“He’s a very important player for us,” manager Bud Black said. “We’re hoping for the best.”

The Padres open the regular season on the road against the Mets at Citi Field on April 1.

#Padres GM Josh Byrnes on Headley: "We should know (severity of injury) today what we're looking at."—
Corey Brock (@FollowThePadres) March 18, 2013

#Padres 3B Chase Headley has returned to San Diego to see a hand specialist.—
Corey Brock (@FollowThePadres) March 18, 2013

The San Diego Padres are making little progress with any trade offers they have gotten for third baseman Chase Headley, and they may wait until winter to make a more serious effort, ESPN’s Buster Olney reported Sunday on Twitter.

To this moment,Padres aren’t far down the road in their Headley trade talks. Might table it to the winter,when more teams would be involved.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 29, 2012

The Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics and Pittsburgh Pirates have all expressed interest in acquiring Headley, the 28-year-old third baseman who is hitting .265 with 12 homers and 51 RBI this season. Headley’s 122 OPS+ puts him sixth among qualified third baseman, and he’s having a career year with the Padres.

Most recently, the Yankees emerged as a potential trade partner with the Padres because of third baseman Alex Rodriguez’s injury. The thinking is that Headley could replace Rodriguez in the short-term. In the long-term, the Yankees could plug Headley into right field next season and let current right fielder Nick Swisher walk as a free agent.

Headley is earning $3.475 million this season, his second in arbitration. He will be eligible for free agency after the 2014 season.