Chad Qualls is “close to agreeing on a contract” with the Padres, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com.
With a 7.32 ERA in 59 innings between two teams Qualls had a dreadful 2010, but most of that can be blamed on a .399 batting average on balls in play that was the worst in all of baseball among the 327 pitchers who logged at least 50 innings.
Earlier this week Buster Olney of ESPN.com reported that Qualls was looking for a one-year deal, so he could rebuild his value and then hit the open market again next offseason, and with that as his goal calling pitcher-friendly Petco Park home is the best-case scenario.
UPDATE: Morosi says it’s a one-year deal worth around $2 million, with a team option for 2012. Very nice pickup for the Padres.
