The Dodgers are closing in on an agreement with free agent pitcher Vicente Padilla, FOXSports.com's John Paul Morosi is reporting. The Dodgers are desperate for pitching help with Hiroki Kuroda possibly heading to the disabled list and John Smoltz heading to St. Louis.
Los Angeles would only have to pay Padilla roughly $100,000 over the remainder of the season. That is the prorated portion of the $400,000 league minimum salary.
Padilla has put together a few solid seasons in his career, but his volatile personality has hurt his chances to receive a long term deal in the past. Pitching for a first place team, you can bet teams will keep an eye on Padilla - both on and off the field - as he finishes his season before becoming a free agent.