Padres Close to Signing P Chad Qualls

Jon Morosi of Foxsports.com is reporting that the San Diego Padres are close to agreeing on a contract with Pitcher Chad Qualls.

Qualls will be added to the bullpen which already has Heath Bell, Luke Gregerson, and Mike Adams at the back end. Qualls will no longer have the pressure to close out games and will be able to enjoy the huge PETCO ballpark to bring his ERA back down to earth.

Qualls has pitched for the Houston Astros, Arizona Diamondbacks, and most recently the Tampa Bay Rays. He struggled last seasons with a 7.32 ERA in 70 games. Hopefully the larger ballpark and removing the pressure of closing helps him get his pitching in line.

The details on the deal have not yet been announced.