Mark Prior Update

12.24.07 3:09pm PST

North County Times' Dan Hayes weighs in on free agent Mark Prior's decision between the Astros and Padres.

Baseball-Rumors: I hear that Prior is deciding between the Astros and Padres at this point. Are the Padres going to lose out on yet another free agent or will Prior take the pitcher's ballpark and less money?

Dan Hayes: I do believe Mark Prior is going to accept the Padres' offer if it comes down to common sense but I haven't been able to get a hold of his agent for the past week. Even if Houston makes an absurd offer, Prior would still have to spend all of his games pitching in a hitter's park. I think that's going to deter him especially because he's looking for a one-year deal and to establish that he's a good pitcher again. If that's his true aim, wouldn't he want to pitch half his games at Petco?

12.23.07 8:50am PST

According to the Houston Chronicle, free agent right-hander Mark Prior has narrowed his choices to the Houston Astros and the San Diego Padres.

Prior is currently a San Diego County resident and has been doing all of his rehab there, both work in the Padres favor at this point.

12.21.07 1:00pm PST

The Rangers, after reviewing Prior's medical records, have pulled out of the bidding, according to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com.The Rangers had been said to be serious contenders for him prior to this.
12.20.07 7:51pm PST

According to Buster Olney, the Padres are the front runners to land former Cub Mark Prior, who is currently a San Diego County resident.The Padres, says Olney, have offered a 1-year deal with a modest base salary that includes incentives to Prior, who could make his decision in the next 24-48 hours.

12.18.07 10:44pm PST

Ken Rosenthal puts his 2 cents in on Mark Prior. He is of the opinion that Prior's logical destination is with the San Diego Padres, not only because of Petco Park being well known as a "pitcher's park" but because he's originally from Southern California.

The problem with that idea is, the acquisition of Edmonds puts the Padres payroll up to $73M, which is only $2M below their ideal payroll of $75M, but I don't think the Padres can ask Prior to take a San Diego discount, especially if he is getting bigger offers from Houston, St. Louis or any other club.