Tony Clark has left the Diamondbacks, but he has not left the NL West. Clark, a native of San Diego, has agreed to a one-year contract with the Padres, major league sources said. The deal is to be announced early this week, after Clark passes a physical examination. Clark, 35, hit .249 with 17 home runs and 51 RBIs and was credited by teammates as bringing an invaluable clubhouse presence in the D-Backs run to the 2007 NL West title. He had hoped to return, but the D-Backs opted to go another direction in mid-December, however, after they did not receive what they considered a timely response on a two-year, $3 million offer. His Padres contract is believed to be worth about $1 million. Clark, a switch-hitter who had three pinch-hit home runs for the D-Backs last season and platooned at first base down the stretch, is expected to serve as a backup to first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and a top pinch-hitting option in San Diego. The Padres won the division in 2005-06 and were eliminated in a one-game playoff against Colorado last year. Clark was a high school and college star in San Diego and he has made his home in the Valley for a decade. He is the second D-Back to go to the Padres in the last eight months, joining outfielder Scott Hairston, who was dealt to San Diego for right-hander Leo Rosales at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. Link
Between him and Edmonds, their combined ages equal nearly four guys playing in the Minors. Great...lets hurry up and sign Barry Bonds before somebody else! Kevin Towers is a lot like the Oakland Raiders: both have a serious aversion to hitting... ...try signing a bat that isn't as old as the GM...the Padres are turning into the Giants. Too bad Bochy isn't here to enjoy it.
