Buzz: Padres in front for Mark Prior
The Padres are the front-runners to sign free agent Mark Prior, according to Buster Olney of ESPN.com.
Olney explains that Prior may prefer San Diego because he currently lives there, which could be appealing, ‘in what figures to be a transitional year in his career.’
Prior was born in San Diego, and attended Southern Cal.
Meanwhile, also for ESPN.com, Jerry Crasnick adds…
“San Diego is a natural fit for Prior, for lots of reasons other than the weather. Prior went to high school in the city and his family still lives there. Petco Park is a great pitchers’ park, and San Diego’s coaching and training staff has a reputation for working well with pitchers.”
According to Crasnick, though the Padres have made an offer, the Astros, Reds, Nationals, Mets, Cardinals, Rangers, Marlins and Indians are also ‘in the mix.’
Crasnick continues in his report, looking at Michael Barrett, Nick Johnson, Kaz Matsui, Jason Bay, Miguel Tejada and Scott Rolen, who, like Prior, have a lot to prove in 2008.
