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Maddux, Pads nearing $10 million, 1-year deal

Contract would include $7 million player option for 2008

Image: MadduxGetty Images
Greg Maddux has won 333 games over the course of his career.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Greg Maddux and the San Diego Padres neared agreement Tuesday night on a $10 million, one-year contract.

The deal for the four-time Cy Young Award winner would contain a $6 million player option for 2008. The price of the option would increase incrementally up to $10 million if Maddux pitches 200 innings.

Sports Illustrated reported that the deal was done. But agent Scott Boras, without indicating a team, said Maddux’s deal “was moving positively ... but not done yet.”

Details on Maddux’s potential contract with the Padres were disclosed by two people familiar with the talks who spoke in condition of anonymity because no deal had been finalized.

Maddux, who turns 41 on April 14, is 333-203 with a 3.07 ERA in his career. The likely Hall of Famer split last season between the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers, going 15-14 with a 4.20 ERA.

Boras also had discussed Maddux returning to the Dodgers. The Padres and Dodgers finished with identical 88-74 records — San Diego won the NL West and Los Angeles was the wild card.

With San Diego, Maddux would join a starting rotation headed by Jake Peavy that also includes Clay Hensley and Chris Young. Maddux lives in Las Vegas, making San Diego a relatively short commute.

“Southern California was always a place Greg wanted to play. He was very happy in LA last year,” Boras said. “San Diego also has an environment for his family. His decisions are based primarily on his family.

“We had probably 10 teams that wanted a contract with him that were in venues that were probably too far for him — his children are in school. Certainly the geographical issue for him at this time in his career is the most really prevalent in his decision-making,” he said.

Maddux adds a veteran presence to a relatively young rotation. Woody Williams left to sign with St. Louis and David Wells isn’t sure whether he will play next year.

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Maddux’s win total last season would have led San Diego. He would be the second aging star in as many seasons signed by the Padres. Last year, they brought in Mike Piazza, who tied for second on the team with 22 homers.

Maddux spent his first seven big league seasons with the Chicago Cubs, then pitched for Atlanta from 1993-2003 before rejoining the Cubs. Chicago traded him to the Dodgers on July 31.

Under the deal being negotiated with San Diego, Maddux’s option would increase to $7.5 million if he pitches 170 innings next year and $8.75 million if he pitches 185 innings.

© 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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